Monte de El Pardo Madrid is the city’s northern royal forest — roughly 16,000 hectares of Mediterranean oak woodland (encinar) with a long history as a royal hunting reserve. Monte de El Pardo Madrid is one of the best-preserved Mediterranean forests in Europe. The forest is home to wild red deer (ciervo), wild boar (jabalí), Spanish imperial eagles (which breed here), and more than 100 bird species. Monte de El Pardo Madrid is significantly more restricted access than Casa de Campo or Retiro — only specific marked trails, the Palacio Real de El Pardo (Royal Palace), and the Convento del Capuchinos are open to the public. This Monte de El Pardo Madrid guide covers visitable areas, the Royal Palace El Pardo, Casita del Príncipe, transport from central Madrid, and what wildlife and historic interest you can see.
Table of Contents
- Monte de El Pardo Madrid Basics
- Mediterranean Encinar Forest
- Monte de El Pardo Wildlife
- Palacio Real de El Pardo
- Casita del Príncipe and Convento de los Capuchinos
- Monte de El Pardo History
- Monte de El Pardo Trails and Access
- Monte de El Pardo Madrid Tips
- FAQs
Monte de El Pardo Madrid Basics
- Location: Northern Madrid; village of El Pardo.
- Size: Roughly 16,000 hectares (about 40,000 acres), far larger than Casa de Campo, though most of it is restricted forest rather than a public park.
- Status: Patrimonio Nacional (National Heritage); restricted access royal forest; protected ecosystem.
- Access: Public access limited to El Pardo village, the Royal Palace, Convento del Capuchinos, and marked trail areas.
- Bus: EMT bus 164 from Moncloa to El Pardo village; bus 179 from Plaza de Castilla.
- Car: M-30 → M-605 to El Pardo.
- No metro service to El Pardo.
- Free public access to El Pardo village area; Royal Palace €9 admission.
Mediterranean Encinar Forest
The Monte de El Pardo Madrid encinar (holm oak forest) is one of the best-preserved Mediterranean oak forests in Europe, kept intact by centuries of royal hunting protection. The encinar combines holm oak (Quercus ilex), cork oak (Quercus suber), gall oak (Quercus faginea), and dense Mediterranean shrub layer (rockrose, lavender, broom, retama). The forest provides Madrid green lung essential for the city’s air quality and microclimate.
- Forest type: Mediterranean dehesa (managed oak savanna) and dense encinar (oak woodland).
- Dominant tree: Holm oak (encina) — Iberian native evergreen oak.
- Forest age: Some oak trees centuries old; ancient stand structure preserved.
- Ecological value: European Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA designation under EU Birds Directive).
- Climate: Mediterranean continental — hot dry summers, cold wet winters.
- Spring wildflowers: Native Mediterranean flora flowers in spring.
Monte de El Pardo Wildlife
- Red deer (Ciervo común): The most visible large mammals of the forest.
- Wild boar (Jabalí): Present across the forest.
- Roe deer (Corzo): Smaller deer species.
- Iberian fox, badger, beech marten, polecat: Smaller mammals.
- Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti): Breeds in the reserve, which has a conservation programme for the species.
- Booted eagle, golden eagle: Other raptors.
- More than 100 bird species recorded.
- Where to see wildlife: Casa de Vacas viewpoint area; bird hides at marked locations.
Palacio Real de El Pardo
The Palacio Real de El Pardo (El Pardo Royal Palace) is the most visitable historic building in Monte de El Pardo Madrid. Originally a hunting lodge commissioned by King Enrique III in 1405, it was replaced by a palace under King Carlos V and enlarged and remodelled in later reigns, serving as a temporary royal residence. From the end of the Civil War until 1975, El Pardo was the permanent residence of dictator Francisco Franco. Today the palace accommodates visiting heads of state on state visits.
- Address: El Pardo village.
- Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-19:00 (April-September), 10:00-18:00 (October-March); closed Mondays. Last admission is one hour before closing.
- Tickets: €9 adult; free on Wednesdays and Sundays for EU citizens, EU residents and work-permit holders, and Ibero-American citizens, with ID: 15:00-18:00 October-March, 15:00-19:00 April-September. Free tickets are issued at the ticket office.
- Highlights: Tapestries by Goya cartoons; royal apartments; Franco-era preserved rooms; gardens.
- Audio guide €4.
- Combine with Casita del Príncipe and Convento de los Capuchinos.
Casita del Príncipe and Convento de los Capuchinos
- Casita del Príncipe (Prince’s Cottage): Small neoclassical pavilion; 1784 Juan de Villanueva architect (also designed Prado Museum); decorative arts and silk.
- Hours: Combined visit with Royal Palace tickets.
- Convento de los Capuchinos (Capuchin Monastery): Capuchin monastery; Cristo Yacente (Recumbent Christ) by Gregorio Fernández — masterpiece of Spanish baroque sculpture.
- Hours: Friday-Saturday-Sunday limited hours; check Patrimonio Nacional website.
- Casita del Príncipe entry: €5 per person; reserve by telephone on 913761500.
- El Pardo village walk: Small village around Royal Palace; restaurants, traditional setting.
Monte de El Pardo History
Monte de El Pardo has been royal hunting land since medieval times. King Enrique III built a hunting lodge here in 1405, and the Crown’s exclusive hunting rights were consolidated in 1470. King Felipe II (16th century) significantly expanded protections, and the palace was enlarged and remodelled in later reigns; through to the 20th century the forest remained royal/state hunting reserve, preventing the deforestation that affected most Iberian Mediterranean oak forests.
Francisco Franco lived at El Pardo Palace from the end of the Civil War until his death in 1975, governing Spain from this northern Madrid estate. After Franco’s death, El Pardo passed to Patrimonio Nacional (National Heritage) and gradually opened to public access. The forest itself remains under restricted royal-style protection — significantly more restrictive than Casa de Campo. Recent ecological recovery efforts have focused on the Spanish imperial eagle recovery program.
Monte de El Pardo Trails and Access
- Marked public trails are limited to specific perimeter areas — not full forest interior.
- El Pardo village trails: Short walks around village and palace grounds.
- Casa de Vacas viewpoint: Drive to viewing area for landscape and possible deer sightings.
- Mingorrubio reservoir area: Northern El Pardo; some marked walking trails.
- El Pardo road (M-605): Drive through the forest for the landscape; don’t count on seeing deer from the road.
- Cycling: Limited cycling access; check current Patrimonio Nacional regulations.
- Hunting: Royal/state hunting still occurs in restricted areas (not public).
- Photography: Best from El Pardo road and viewpoints; long lens recommended for wildlife.
Monte de El Pardo Madrid Tips
- Combine Royal Palace visit with village stroll and lunch (good Madrid restaurant traditions in El Pardo).
- The autumn red deer rutting season is the most active time for wildlife viewing.
- Spring is a good time for wildflowers and bird activity.
- Bring binoculars for wildlife and bird watching.
- Stick to marked trails — most forest is restricted access.
- El Pardo village restaurants: La Marquesita (traditional Madrileño), Sociedad Recreativa El Pardo (members + visitors), Mesón Carlos III.
- Avoid August midday heat — Mediterranean forest dry and intense.
- Free Royal Palace entry on Wednesdays and Sundays, 15:00-18:00 October-March and 15:00-19:00 April-September, for EU citizens, EU residents and Ibero-American citizens with ID.
- Photography ethics: respect wildlife distance; no flash for animals.
- Bus 164 from Moncloa is the most convenient public transport.
FAQs
Is Monte de El Pardo open to the public?
Partially — public access is limited to El Pardo village, the Royal Palace, Convento de los Capuchinos, and specific marked trail areas. Most forest interior is restricted royal/state hunting reserve.
How big is Monte de El Pardo?
Roughly 16,000 hectares (about 40,000 acres), far larger than Casa de Campo, though most of it is restricted forest rather than a public park. One of the best-preserved Mediterranean holm oak (encinar) forests in Europe, and a royal hunting ground since medieval times.
Can I see wild deer at El Pardo?
Yes — red deer live wild in the Monte de El Pardo Madrid reserve. Sightings aren’t guaranteed from the public areas, so bring binoculars and keep your distance. The autumn rutting season is the most active time.
How do I get to El Pardo from Madrid?
EMT bus 164 from Moncloa metro to El Pardo village; bus 179 from Plaza de Castilla. By car: M-30 → M-605. No metro service to El Pardo.
How much is the El Pardo Royal Palace?
€9 adult admission; free entry on Wednesdays and Sundays for EU citizens, EU residents and work-permit holders, and Ibero-American citizens, with ID: 15:00-18:00 October-March, 15:00-19:00 April-September. Hours Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-19:00 (April-September) or 10:00-18:00 (October-March); closed Mondays.
Did Franco live at El Pardo?
Yes — Francisco Franco lived at Palacio Real de El Pardo from the end of the Civil War until his death in 1975, governing Spain from this northern Madrid royal estate. Some Franco-era rooms preserved in current visitor route.