Aranjuez Holidays: Royal Palaces Near Madrid Guide
Provincia de Madrid · Madrid · Spain · 54,055 residents
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Royal Palace of Aranjuez
Casa del Labrador
convent of San Pascual
Plaza de toros de Aranjuez
Medinaceli PalaceAranjuez is a town of royal palaces in the south of the Madrid region, roughly 32 miles from Madrid airport and its direct flights from the UK. With around 54,000 residents, it is a proper working town, not a museum piece. Its sights sit close together. The Royal Palace of Aranjuez is under half a mile from the centre, and Casa del Labrador lies a little over a mile out. The convent of San Pascual, the bullring and Medinaceli Palace are all within a short stroll. At 508 metres above sea level and well inland, Aranjuez has hot, dry summers and cool winters. It suits culture-minded couples and families, and makes an easy base for Chinchón and Toledo.
Why go
- The Royal Palace of Aranjuez, the town's headline sight, is under half a mile from the centre.
- Madrid airport has direct UK flights and is only about 45 minutes away by car.
- April brings around 23°C and just three rainy days, ideal for walking between palaces.
Top sights in Aranjuez
Palaces, Convents and a Historic Bullring
The Royal Palace of Aranjuez is the reason most people come. It stands about half a mile from the centre and is the town's best-known monument by some distance. Casa del Labrador, a second royal palace, lies roughly 1.1 miles out. Combine the two for a full day of royal Aranjuez.
Closer in, the convent of San Pascual is about 0.2 miles from the centre and is a listed cultural property. The Plaza de toros de Aranjuez, the town's bullring, is a quarter of a mile away. Medinaceli Palace sits almost in the middle of town, and the smaller Deleite Palace is about 0.6 miles out. Because everything is so compact, families can cover the main sights on foot without long walks.
Tours and tickets for Aranjuez can be booked directly on this page.
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6palaceDeleite Palace, Aranjuez
In the centre · Photo
Tours & tickets in Aranjuez
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Aranjuez can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Aranjuez
Staying Close to the Palaces
Aranjuez is inland, so the choice is about how central you want to be. The historic core holds Medinaceli Palace, the convent of San Pascual and the bullring, all within a quarter of a mile or so. The Royal Palace is just beyond. Staying here means you can walk everywhere and return to your room during the summer heat.
For a town of about 54,000 people, evenings are livelier than in the tiny villages nearby, though calmer than Madrid. Drivers planning day trips to Chinchón or Toledo may prefer the edges of town for easier parking. Live hotel prices for Aranjuez are shown on this page.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Aranjuez and the villages around it is a hire car from Madrid (MAD), about 45 min away.
Best time to visit Aranjuez
When to Visit Aranjuez
- 11°CJan56 mm
- 14°CFeb28 mm
- 18°CMar60 mm
- 23°CApr15 mm
- 25°CMay37 mm
- 29°CJun48 mm
- 36°CJul1 mm
- 35°CAug13 mm
- 27°CSept81 mm
- 22°COct113 mm
- 16°CNov30 mm
- 12°CDec23 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
April, May and September are the most pleasant months. April averages highs of 23°C with only three rainy days. May reaches around 25°C, and September about 27°C. September can bring heavy downpours, with around 81 mm of rain, but it usually falls on only five days.
July and August are fiercely hot, with highs of 36°C and 35°C and nights that stay above 20°C. July is almost completely dry. October is the wettest month, with about 113 mm of rain over 14 days. Winter is cool, with January highs of 11°C and December lows near 2°C. Aranjuez is inland, so there is no sea swimming here.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 11°C | 3°C | 56 mm | 7 h |
| Feb | 14°C | 3°C | 28 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 18°C | 6°C | 60 mm | 9 h |
| Apr | 23°C | 9°C | 15 mm | 12 h |
| May | 25°C | 12°C | 37 mm | 13 h |
| Jun | 29°C | 17°C | 48 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 36°C | 21°C | 1 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 35°C | 22°C | 13 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 27°C | 15°C | 81 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 22°C | 12°C | 113 mm | 8 h |
| Nov | 16°C | 8°C | 30 mm | 7 h |
| Dec | 12°C | 2°C | 23 mm | 7 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights and Driving from the UK
Madrid airport (MAD) is the obvious gateway. It has direct flights from the UK and is about 32 miles from Aranjuez, roughly 45 minutes by car. Car hire from the airport is the simplest way to reach the town and explore the surrounding villages.
Salamanca (SLM) and Valladolid (VLL) also have scheduled flights, but neither has direct services from the UK. Salamanca is about 118 miles away, a drive of nearly three hours, and Valladolid is around 133 miles, a little over three hours.
If you prefer to drive the whole way, allow roughly 18 and a half hours behind the wheel from Calais. Most people split that over two or three days.
By air
- Madrid (MAD)32 miles, about 45 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Salamanca (SLM)118 miles, about 2 h 48 min by road
- Valladolid (VLL)133 miles, about 3 h 9 min by road
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 18 h 34 min without stops.
Aranjuez is good for
Around Aranjuez
Day Trips from Aranjuez
Toledo is the standout excursion. It lies about 25 miles away across the regional border in Castilla-La Mancha, and makes a full and rewarding day out. Closer to home, Chinchón and Colmenar de Oreja are both about 12 miles away. They are small towns of around 5,700 and 7,000 people, and suit a relaxed half-day.
Titulcia, a village of fewer than 1,000 residents, is only around 7 miles away. San Martín de la Vega is about 12 miles off and Pinto roughly 16 miles. Leganés and Arroyomolinos lie 22 to 24 miles away, towards the Madrid suburbs.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Plan around the summer heat. July and August highs reach 35 to 36°C, and Aranjuez sits inland at about 508 metres with no sea breeze. Visit the palaces early in the day and keep the afternoons slow.
Pack a layer outside summer. Winter nights drop to 2 or 3°C, and even in May evenings fall to around 12°C. If you come in October, bring a waterproof, as it is the wettest month by a wide margin.
Hire a car if you want to see the villages around Aranjuez. Toledo, Chinchón and Colmenar de Oreja are all within about 25 miles.
Questions people ask
How far is Aranjuez from Madrid airport?
Aranjuez is about 32 miles from Madrid airport (MAD), roughly 45 minutes by car. Madrid has direct flights from the UK, making it by far the most convenient airport for an Aranjuez holiday or a break combined with the capital.
What is the best month to visit Aranjuez?
April, May and September offer the most comfortable conditions. April is particularly good, with highs around 23°C and only three rainy days. July and August are very hot, reaching 35 to 36°C, while October is the wettest month.
Is Aranjuez good for families?
Yes. Its main sights are compact and easy to walk between. The Royal Palace of Aranjuez, well suited to families, is only about half a mile from the centre. The convent, bullring and Medinaceli Palace are even closer, so children are spared long walks.
Can you do a day trip from Aranjuez to Toledo?
Yes. Toledo is about 25 miles from Aranjuez, which makes it an easy day trip by car. Chinchón and Colmenar de Oreja, both around 12 miles away, are good options for shorter outings.
Is there a beach near Aranjuez?
No. Aranjuez is an inland town at around 508 metres above sea level, with no coastline nearby. It is best suited to a culture-focused break built around its royal palaces and nearby historic towns, not a beach holiday.
Can I drive to Aranjuez from the UK?
You can. Allow around 18 and a half hours of driving from Calais, usually split over two or three days. There are no ferry ports listed nearby, so flying into Madrid and hiring a car is the quicker option for most travellers.