More and more tourists are concerned about sustainable travel, and minimising their ecological footprint. In Madrid and its surroundings, you can make countless eco-friendly plans. Madrid awaits you!
Madrid, green capital
If something will surprise you in Madrid, it is the large number of its green spaces; over 100 parks throughout the city. The most famous is the El Retiro Park, a haven of peace within the big city. You can rent a rowboat and navigate its pond or visit some of the most iconic monuments, like the Crystal Palace or the Route of Statues.
The Casa de Campo Park features the largest public park in the city, with more than 1,500 hectares where you can lose yourself in nature without leaving Madrid. Here you can choose different bike routes to enjoy your surroundings. Alternatively, you can learn about the park's vegetation by travelling along the Botanical Route. The Sabatini Gardens, in front of the Royal Palace or Madrid Río, parallel to the Manzanares river, are just a few examples of the green areas Madrid has to offer.Discover all the city's parks and gardens. Can you visit them all?
Enjoy eco-gastronomy
Madrid has become a world reference in terms of gastronomy. You can find a large number of restaurants and markets based on zero kilometre products (less than 100 kilometres between the collection point and the point of consumption) with a designation of origin.
In Madrid, you can visit restaurants of sustainable haute cuisine and restaurants with the Michelin Green Star, awarded for their gastronomic sustainability. Or if you prefer to try cooking these sustainable foods yourself, you have the option of visiting local markets and shops, such as the local municipal market, Productores Planetario, with fresh products that will make your kitchen responsible and environmentally sustainable. Or, there's the San Antón Market, in the Chueca area, a sustainable market in which the lighting system is a solar energy collector and the floor is made of reused material. Also, did you know that the first Saturday of each month is Market Day? A space where you can fill your basket with products from Madrid at the Casa de Campo exhibition venue.
Sustainable travel around the city
The city has a tourist transport pass so you can make an unlimited number of journeys by metro, bus and local train. A green option to easily and quickly fulfil all the plans available to you in Madrid.
Sustainable activities near Madrid
Near the capital, you can enjoy sustainable destinations and a wide variety of green activities. Did you know that the region of Madrid is home to nine protected spaces? Guadarrama Mountains National Park, Upper Manzanares Basin Regional Park, Lower Manzanares and Jarama Rivers Regional Park, Middle Guadarrama River and its surroundings Regional Park, Abantos Pine Forest and Herrería Area Picturesque Area, El Regajal-Mar de Ontígola Nature Reserve, Montejo de la Sierra Beech Forest Natural Site of National Interest, Laguna de San Juan Wildlife Refuge and the Peña del Arcipreste de Hita Natural Monument of National Interest. You have a lot of destinations to visit!In Sierra de Guadarrama, you can enjoy a guided route to meet the wolves that live in the area or learn how bees create honey and even how to make candles with the wax.
And how about visiting some glacial lagoons? In Guadarrama National Park, you can do a hiking route to discover all these natural formations. This is also an extraordinary opportunity to go climbing.The Hayedo de Montejo, in the middle of the Sierra del Rincón Biosphere Reserve, offers you different routes to discover this natural area. You can book your visit here.
ClicaMadrid for the community
Also, thanks to CiclaMadrid, you will be able to travel through a large part of the region on a bike. Ride for more than 1,200 kilometres and discover some of the most impressive cultural and natural destinations in the area.
As you can see, you have many options in Madrid and its surroundings to enjoy a sustainable getaway.
