Juan Pablo II

Parque Juan Pablo II, in the north-eastern district of Hortaleza in Madrid, is one of the larger urban parks built to give a fast-growing residential area a proper green space for rest, sport, and leisure. Its name and part of its design commemorate Pope John Paul II's visit to Madrid in 2003.

Where is the park located?

The park sits in the Piovera neighborhood of Hortaleza, bordered by Pinar de Barajas, Avenida del Papa Negro, and the avenues de las Piceas and de los Andes, with the M-40 ring road marking its edge. Avenida de Machu Picchu runs through the grounds, making it easy to reach on foot from the surrounding residential blocks. The setting is typical of Madrid's newer, purpose-planned districts, where wide avenues and housing developments were laid out together with large green areas.

When was it built and how large is it?

The first two phases of the park — covering the rest and thematic areas — opened in May 2007, inaugurated by then-mayor of Madrid Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón. A third phase followed in 2010. Once fully completed, the park is planned to cover around 31.5 hectares split into four zones: sports, rest, thematic, and educational. After the initial phases, the built and landscaped area measured roughly 10.4 to 10.8 hectares.

What can visitors see and do there?

The centrepiece is the so-called Garden of Sun and Water, arranged around the Plaza del Reloj de Sol (Sundial Square), with a system of canals and stepped pools, winding paths, and Mediterranean planting that gives the area a shaded, calm atmosphere. The park also has a pergola, children's play areas, and a dedicated dog area. For sport, there is a basic municipal sports facility with paddle tennis courts, part of Madrid's city-run sports infrastructure network.

What is the connection to Pope John Paul II?

The park commemorates Pope John Paul II's 2003 visit to Madrid. A monolith on the grounds is engraved with words the Pope dedicated to the city during that visit. The park also holds a monument to John Paul II and the Virgin Mary, known as the Camino de la Santidad (Path of Holiness), blending a devotional element into the landscaped design — an unusual feature among Madrid's city parks.

Who is this park for?

Given its size, quiet character, and location among residential blocks, Parque Juan Pablo II works best as an everyday green space for people living in Hortaleza — for running, dog walks, or time with children. For visitors exploring central Madrid, it sits off the main tourist route, but it is worth a detour for anyone interested in the city's quieter, more local side or in sites tied to papal visits.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Parque Juan Pablo II? In the Piovera area of the Hortaleza district, in north-eastern Madrid, next to the M-40 ring road.

When did the park open? The first two phases opened in May 2007, with a third phase completed in 2010.

How big is the park? The full planned park covers about 31.5 hectares; the area completed in the first phases measured roughly 10.4 to 10.8 hectares.

Why is the park named after John Paul II? The name and several features, including a commemorative monolith and the Camino de la Santidad monument, mark Pope John Paul II's 2003 visit to Madrid.