Madrid Río, the Manzanares River park

The biking pathways of Madrid Río

Madrid Río Park boasts excellent bike routes, with 30 km of cyclable lanes, though you have to exercise caution as these paths are also used by pedestrians. The park’s biking pathways join with Madrid’s Anillo Verde, a green cycling track that circles the town of Madrid with a length of almost 65 km. It is equipped with benches, fountains and various excercise facilities positioned at regular intervals. The lanes in Madrid Río Park also connect to Tierno Galván Park and Lineal Manzanares Sur Park in the south, reaching all the way to the town of Getafe.

The urban beach

The Arganzuela Park is the most popular area of the Madrid Río Park with its star attraction being the beach. This urban beach in Madrid Río has three oval-shaped shallow ponds in which the water has been given different effects. While one is a still pool for people to play in, the second has jets of water rising to different heights. The third pond has a pretty installation which emits clouds of spray. These ponds are open to the public only in the summer, offering a wonderful way to cool down in the summer heat. The ponds are surrounded by lush green lawns and scattered with sunchairs for visitors to rest on. Nearby, lies the Matadero de Legazpi, a former slaughterhouse currently housing a contemporary arts center which exhibits various arts, performances and screenings. As the Madrid Río Park extends along both sides of the river, bridges are an integral part of its connectivity. There are 33 bridges in the Madrid Río, amongst which the oldest bridges, dating back to the early Siglo XVIII are the Puente de Segovia, the Puente de Toledo and the Puente del Rey. Among the modern bridges, perhaps the most striking is the Puente Monumental de Arganzuela, a pedestrian bridge made out of two massive steel tubes.

The Casa de Campo

Previously a royal hunting estate, Casa de Campo spreads over more than 4,300 acres of land and features an amusement park and Madrid Zoo. There are also numerous mountain-biking trails within this park and a wealth of wildlife, including rabbits and deer. You can enter the park using the Teleferico, a cable car that will pick you up from inside the Parque del Oeste. Visitors as well as the locals enjoy spending long summer days here, relaxing, excercising and enjoying the weather.

The amusement park

Opened in 1969, Parque de Atracciones de Madrid is one of the oldest amusement parks in Spain. Amongst its five different zones, the Extreme Zone features high-octane rides, such as thrilling rollercoasters, whilst Nickelodeon Land has enchanting rides to keep younger children happy. For small-scale attractions like trampolines and shooting galleries head to the Quiet Zone, and to check out the park's two main water rides, be sure to head to the Nature Zone. Aside from its wealth of rides, the park features a wide selection of restaurants, catering to all tastes. There are additionally popular meet-and-greets with a range of costume characters and the terrifying The Walking Dead Experience. Parque de Atracciones de Madrid really does offer something for everyone, from the most daring of thrill-seekers to those who prefer a more gentle pace. 

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