Royal Botanical Garden

Declared an Artistic Garden in 1942, the Royal Botanical Garden boasts a herbarium with over one million specimens, a library and archive with nearly 10,000 drawings, and a display of more than 5,500 living plant species. A tour of the garden and its greenhouses combines general botanical information, curiosities, history, the unique characteristics of the specimens, the uses of plants, and their importance in our lives. Guided tours are available, led by a guide, to discover the multitude of species that populate this green haven in the heart of the city, from onions and roses to the most exotic plants. The current location of the Botanical Garden is not accidental and reflects the interest of the enlightened monarch, Charles III, in creating a complex dedicated to the natural sciences in Madrid. That is why it was located next to what is now the Prado Museum, which at the end of the 18th century was the Museum of Natural Sciences. The scientific spirit is preserved today, as the space is managed by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), which organizes numerous outreach activities, such as conferences and exhibitions. Since June 2024, the Royal Botanical Garden and the Islamic Culture Foundation have launched the ‘Andalusian Itinerary,’ a self-guided tour born from the desire to teach and promote the natural heritage of al-Andalus. An invitation to explore and travel to Islamic Spain from the 8th to the 15th centuries through the colors and aromas of a selection of 15 plants that grow in the Royal Botanical Garden, many of them linked to food, medicine, or pharmacopoeia, or even ornamentation. The garden also features another route, that of singular trees, a tour of 15 specimens that stand out from the rest due to their longevity, monumental size, or because they are historical specimens associated with the Garden's tradition.