Casa de Campo Madrid is the city’s largest park — a 1,750-hectare urban forest five times larger than Central Park New York and twice the size of Bois de Boulogne Paris. Originally a 16th-century royal hunting estate created by King Felipe II in 1582, Casa de Campo Madrid opened to the public in 1931 after the Second Spanish Republic. Today Casa de Campo Madrid combines vast Mediterranean oak forest with the city’s major attractions: Madrid Zoo Aquarium (4,000+ animals from giant pandas to penguins), Madrid Amusement Park (Parque de Atracciones, 40+ rides including the famous TNT roller coaster), the Teleférico cable car connecting central Madrid (Pintor Rosales) to the park interior, the recreational lake with pedal boats, restaurant complexes, swimming pool, and 15+ km of cycling and hiking trails. This Casa de Campo Madrid guide covers all attractions, transport options, opening hours, ticket prices, and how to plan a full or half-day visit.
Table of Contents
- Casa de Campo Madrid Basics
- Madrid Zoo Aquarium
- Parque de Atracciones de Madrid
- Teleférico Cable Car
- Casa de Campo Lake
- Casa de Campo Hiking and Cycling Trails
- Casa de Campo History
- Casa de Campo Madrid Tips
- FAQs
Casa de Campo Madrid Basics
- Address: Western Madrid, across the Manzanares River.
- Size: 1,750 hectares (4,300 acres) — Madrid’s largest park; 5× Central Park.
- Metro: Lago (Line 10) at lake area; Casa de Campo (Line 5/10) at amusement park; Príncipe Pío (Line 6/10/R) for teleférico.
- Bus: Multiple EMT lines including 33 from Príncipe Pío to amusement park.
- Hours: Park open 24/7; individual attractions vary.
- Entry: Free entry to park; attractions individual tickets.
- Best for: Families (zoo, amusement park), nature lovers (Mediterranean forest), cyclists (15+ km trails), runners.
Madrid Zoo Aquarium
The Madrid Zoo Aquarium (Zoo Aquarium de Madrid) is one of Europe’s leading zoos, housing 4,000+ animals across 500+ species. Most famous for being one of only a handful of European zoos with giant pandas (received from China since 1978; current resident pandas Bing Xing, Hua Zui Ba, and twin cubs).
- Hours: Vary seasonally; typically 10:30-18:30 weekdays; 10:30-20:00 weekends. Check zoomadrid.com.
- Tickets: Adult €25.95; child (3-7) €21.95 in advance; up to €31.50 same-day at gate.
- Booking online recommended for 15-20% discount.
- Highlights: Giant pandas (panda house), dolphinarium with shows, aquarium with sharks and rays, koala family, Komodo dragons, tigers and lions, gorilla family.
- Visit time: 4-5 hours minimum.
- Children’s area (Pequemundo): Petting zoo for young children.
- Free WiFi throughout zoo.
Parque de Atracciones de Madrid
The Parque de Atracciones (Madrid Amusement Park) is Spain’s second-largest amusement park (after PortAventura), operated by Parques Reunidos. Located in southern Casa de Campo Madrid, the park features 40+ rides including major roller coasters and family attractions.
- Hours: Vary seasonally; weekends only winter; daily mid-March through end of October. Check parquedeatracciones.es.
- Tickets: Adult €37.95 in advance; child (under 1.20m) €29.95. Same-day prices higher.
- Top thrill rides: Abismo (vertical drop coaster), TNT (suspended steel coaster), Tornado (inverted coaster), Tarántula (roller coaster).
- Family rides: Top Spin, Vertigo, La Lanzadera, Nickelodeon Land for younger children.
- Visit time: Full day recommended.
- Halloween (October) and Christmas (December): Special seasonal events.
- Restaurants and food courts on site.
Teleférico Cable Car
The Teleférico de Madrid is one of Madrid’s most distinctive experiences — a 2.5 km aerial cable car connecting Paseo del Pintor Rosales (central Madrid, Argüelles) to the heart of Casa de Campo Madrid. Operating since 1969, the Teleférico provides spectacular aerial views of central Madrid, the Manzanares River, the Palacio Real, the Almudena Cathedral, and Casa de Campo Madrid forest.
- Route length: 2.5 km; 11-minute one-way journey.
- Maximum height: 40 meters above ground.
- Hours: Vary seasonally; weekends and holidays primarily; check teleferico.emtmadrid.es.
- Tickets: €4.50 one-way; €6.50 round trip.
- Boarding stations: Estación Pintor Rosales (Calle Marqués de Urquijo near metro Argüelles); Casa de Campo station mid-park.
- Capacity: 6 people per cabin.
- Best photography: Approach to Casa de Campo with Madrid skyline in background.
- Combine with picnic in Casa de Campo or visit to amusement park (3-km walk from teleférico station).
Casa de Campo Lake
The Casa de Campo lake (Estanque del Lago) is the park’s recreational waterfront — a 76,000 sq m artificial lake created in the 17th century. The lakeshore is lined with restaurants and tapas bars (Madrid’s only “beach” alternative), pedal boat rental, and views back across the Manzanares to the Palacio Real and central Madrid skyline.
- Pedal boat rental: €6 for 45 minutes (up to 4 people).
- Restaurants on lakeshore: Several traditional Spanish restaurants and terrazas.
- Lakeside walk: 1.5 km perimeter loop.
- Photography: Sunset views toward central Madrid Royal Palace skyline.
- Metro: Lago (Line 10) at lakefront entrance.
Casa de Campo Hiking and Cycling Trails
- Total trail network: 15+ km of marked trails through Mediterranean oak forest.
- Anillo Verde Ciclista (Green Belt Cycling Ring): Casa de Campo connects to Madrid’s 64-km cycling ring around the city.
- Cerro de las Águilas peak: Highest point in Casa de Campo; views over Madrid skyline and Sierra de Guadarrama mountains.
- Mediterranean oak (encina) forest: Native Iberian forest ecosystem; rabbits, foxes, eagle owls.
- Birdwatching: 200+ bird species recorded; Casa de Campo Madrid is birding hotspot.
- Trail difficulty: Mostly easy; some hills toward Cerro de las Águilas.
- Recommended cycling rental: BiciMAD stations at multiple Casa de Campo entrances; private rentals at amusement park.
Casa de Campo History
Casa de Campo originated 1519 when King Carlos I (Charles V) acquired the original estate (Vargas family land). Major expansion in 1556 when his son King Felipe II purchased adjoining lands and consolidated the estate as a royal hunting reserve. Felipe II’s court architect Juan Bautista de Toledo and later Juan de Herrera (architect of El Escorial) shaped the estate’s royal architecture. The royal family hunted Casa de Campo for over 350 years.
Casa de Campo Madrid opened to the public May 1, 1931 by decree of the Second Spanish Republic — a landmark moment of democratization, transferring royal property to the citizens. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Casa de Campo was a major battlefront, with Republican defenses against Nationalist forces approaching from the west. The civil war damage is still visible — bunkers, trenches, and bullet-marked buildings are preserved as memorial sites within the park. Post-war, Casa de Campo regained recreational character with the addition of the Zoo (1972 modern reopening), Amusement Park (1969), and Teleférico (1969).
Casa de Campo Madrid Tips
- Bring full-day plan: zoo + amusement park is too much for one day. Pick one major attraction.
- Buy tickets online — saves €5-10 per person.
- Teleférico is the best aerial Madrid view experience — combine with central Madrid sightseeing.
- Lake pedal boats best weekday afternoons — avoid weekend queues.
- Bring water and sunscreen — Casa de Campo Madrid lacks shade in many open areas.
- Cycling routes are extensive — bring your own or rent BiciMAD.
- Avoid Casa de Campo at night — historically known for sex worker activity in some areas; daytime fully family-safe.
- Birdwatching best early morning year-round.
- Picnicking welcome — bring supplies; few shops within park.
- Restrooms scattered; some paid €0.50.
FAQs
How big is Casa de Campo Madrid?
1,750 hectares (4,300 acres) — Madrid’s largest park; 5× larger than New York’s Central Park; 2× larger than Paris’ Bois de Boulogne. Originally 16th-century royal hunting estate.
How do I get to Casa de Campo?
Metro Lago (Line 10) at lake area; Casa de Campo (Line 5/10) at amusement park; Príncipe Pío (Line 6/10/R) for Teleférico cable car. Park is free to enter.
How much is the Madrid Zoo?
Adult €25.95, child (3-7) €21.95 advance booking online (15-20% discount). Same-day at gate up to €31.50. Hours typically 10:30-18:30 weekdays, 10:30-20:00 weekends.
Is the Teleférico cable car worth it?
Yes — €6.50 round trip for 11-minute aerial cable car ride from central Madrid to Casa de Campo. Spectacular views of Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, Manzanares River, and Madrid skyline.
When did Casa de Campo open to the public?
May 1, 1931 by decree of the Second Spanish Republic — transferring 350+ years of royal hunting estate to public ownership. Major civil war battlefront 1936-1939.
Is Casa de Campo safe for families?
Yes — daytime Casa de Campo is fully family-safe with the zoo, amusement park, lake, and trails. Avoid isolated areas at night.