Madrid Río Park: 12 interesting places and activities to do

On the banks of Manzanares river, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful and spectacular settings in the city of Madrid that never stays small, Madrid Rio.

This huge park It is an ideal place for take a walk, do sports and good photos during its 7 kilometers of route parallel to the river.

A big green space, and a place widely used by skaters, cyclists and nature lovers, where its biodiversity has been recovered thanks to a meticulous renaturalization process.

Madrid Rio is a active leisure space ideal for sports, with several paths to walk, run, skate and enjoy nature.

Along the way we will find bridges, viewpoints, sports courts, a climbing wall, swing areas, picnic areas, cafes, and perfect corners for adults and children.

Madrid It doesn't have a beach, but Madrid Rio Yes, a space to relieve the summer heat.

Curiosities about its history and data about Madrid Río

La Madrid Rio green route has 120 hectares of park and can be accessed from 8 stations Metro.

A walk that unites ten districts, which begins at dam 9 of the Manzanares River, near to French Bridge, and ends on the path that gives access to the Manzanares Linear Park, designed by Ricardo Bofill.

A monumental work, which opened in 2011 after four years of work, to bury the M30 and another four to develop the surface.

The cost exceeded 7.000 million euros, the works were not without controversy, but today everyone agrees that this 21st century park It is an enclave that has changed the appearance of the south of the capital.

How to get to Madrid Río park

If you go in Metro, Can get to Madrid Río park from the stations are Príncipe Pio (line 6 and 10), Puerta del Ángel (line 6), Marqués de Vadillo (line 5), or Legazpi (lines 6 and 3).

If you prefer to go by bus, you will arrive on lines 25, 33, 39, 41, 46, 62, 75, 138, c2 and n20.

 What to see on a walk through the Madrid Río park

Madrid Rio You have to explore it without haste, enjoying its paths and paths.

King's Platform in Madrid Río

One of the most notable spaces is the King's Platform, a huge esplanade to walk around, and enjoy unbeatable views.

Connect the Royal Palace with the House and the pedestrianized Portuguese Avenue.

The letters of Madrid Río, emblem of the capital

Precisely this point has become the best place to make a photo of the cornice of Madrid, formed by the Royal Palace, Almudena and Basilica of Saint Francis the Great.

No one passes by without stopping in front of the giant blue glass sculpture with the letters of the word Madrid and the Bear and the Strawberry Tree.

This corner has become an emblematic enclave to create one of the most representative postcards of the city.

The set of letters measures twelve meters long and almost three meters long, and is built with recycled glass containers in honor of the environmental awareness of the people of Madrid.

At night it is even more attractive since they are illuminated with a solar panel system.

On one of the sides of the Segovia Bridge There is a platform next to a fountain of water jets where you can enjoy a night perspective of the city from the river bank.

Pine Tree Hall in Madrid Río

From here to the old Madrid Slaughterhouse we find another of the most notable sections of the park, a tree lined path known as the Pine Hall, which leads to the green area of ​​the Arganzuela Park.

In this place there are a large number of Sports tracks to practice soccer, basketball, tennis or skating.

It also has several biohealthy circuits with exercise equipment, as well as a climbing wall or with a skatepark with learning areas and for more experts, with dunes, ramps and tubes.

Along this path it is common to find athletic groups giving classes on the weekends of all kinds, including dance and Tai Chi; Many also take the opportunity to put their towel in the gardens and contemplate the river, have a picnic or celebrate birthdays outdoors.

Slaughterhouse in Madrid Río

If you prefer to make a more cultural visit, the slaughterhouse gives you the opportunity to visit their old neomudejar style pavilions, which host numerous activities with the latest cultural trends, theatrical, exhibition or contemporary dance.

Very close is the Arganzuela Greenhouse, built on the capital's old potato warehouse.

Numerous species of plants and trees from all over the world are gathered there.

It has four microclimates and several fountains inside, where recitals are sometimes performed. The visit is free, from Tuesday to Sunday mornings.

Bridges of Madrid Rio

The two sides of the river are connected by 33 bridges and platforms, historical and modern, that cross it throughout its journey through the Manzanares.

The Segovia Bridge, the King's Bridge or the Toledo Bridge are some of the historic walkways that coexist with more contemporary platforms, such as the Twin Bridges or the Arganzuela Bridge, which serve as a passage, but also function as viewpoints.

Twin Bridges

Among the most photogenic and visited are:

The Twin bridges, two identical walkways in the form of a light concrete vault similar to an inverted canoe.

They are known as the Greenhouse Bridge and Matadero Bridge.

The vaults are decorated by an artistic mosaic, Constellations de Daniel Canogar, which represent images of neighbors that seem to float suspended in the air.

Monumental Bridge of Arganzuela

El Monumental Bridge of Arganzuela It is also a futuristic work, by the French Dominique Perrault, is divided into two cone-shaped metal spirals covered by a metal mesh that shines during the day and lights up at night.

Inside, the floors are made of wood, and you have benches to enjoy the views.

It opened in 2011 and has become a architectural icon of Madrid Rio.

Segovia Bridge

The Segovia Bridge It is the oldest in Madrid, and one of the main accesses to the city, which during the Civil War It was blown up to stop the entry of the rebels.

Toledo Bridge

The Toledo Bridge It receives its name from connecting Madrid with the road to Toledo.

Baroque in style, its large entrances have two fountains at its northern entrance and a garden avenue on the south side.

In it we find a niche with the image of San Isidro, and another with that of Saint Mary of the Head.

Children's leisure areas in Madrid Río

In addition to a skating rink o ride a bike, Madrid Rio offers you countless recreation areas.

You have up to 17 children's leisure areas, where children can play on the swings, zip lines and hanging bridges.

Next to the Arganzuela bridge, the huge slides for all ages and together with them you will find a centenary tree 17 meters high, “the Almez de la Arganzuela”, the oldest and most unique in the area.

Bicycle and scooter rental in Madrid Río

If you want to do the route faster, in Madrid River can bicycle rental, electric scooters, wheeled cars y skateboards.

Several companies offer the rental of this type of vehicle on both sides of the riverbed. Manzanares River for enjoying another way to explore Madrid Rio.

Madrid Rio Beach

La Madrid Rio Beach It ends an old demand of the people of Madrid, and is configured with a wide esplanade formed by two ovals with water jets.

La Madrid Rio Beach you find it next to the Manzanares in the area of Arganzuela Bridge.

It does not have a bathing area itself to immerse yourself in, nor sand, but you can cool off with its vertical fountains.

Around it there is a large grass area where you can lay your towel and sunbathe.

But be careful, this bathing area It is only open during the summer months, from June to September and from 10 in the morning to 11 at night.

Terraces in Madrid Río

To stop along the way and regain strength there are several terraces throughout the entire route. Among the busiest is the Beach Terrace.

One of the most famous is located at the doors of the Casa de Campo, it is the River Cafe, ideal for lunch or dinner on one of its large outdoor terraces with unbeatable views of the Royal Palace.

Inside the park, next to the Segovia Bridge, you will also find various terraces to sit quietly.

You can also choose in the surroundings to find different tapas restaurants, among them the Yeserías Walk, Chopera Walk and General Maroto Square.

In front of Slaughterhouse, In the Manzanares Avenue, the modern is located Plaza Rio 2 shopping center, where you will also find terraces with spectacular views of the city.

Environmental recovery of the Manzanares River in Madrid

La environmental recovery of Manzanares It is an enormous ecological achievement that has changed the vision and life in Madrid.

The process has had multiplier effects that have allowed an explosion of life, flora and fauna that few expected.

Currently there are up to 2.000 specimens of native trees, 50 species of birds, such as the redfish, real duck, gray heron and even some pile driver; We also found hundreds of fish, mostly barbos that breed in the river.

The opening of the dam gates, in May 2016, was the first step to recover the river's function as an ecological corridor.

As the channel is very wide for the water it carries, the vegetation has created islands, shores and sand bars.

Natural vegetation grows in them but they have also grown spontaneously. Sauces y ash.