Royal Palace of Aranjuez

About this place

Developed from a 16th-century royal retreat, Aranjuez became one of the Spanish court's seasonal residences. The palace and its landscaped grounds reveal how rulers transformed the riverside into a ceremonial setting. Explore the relationship between the royal building, gardens and surrounding landscape. Philip II ordered the development of the palace, while later generations continued to shape the estate. Its significance extends beyond the rooms to the gardens and woodlands, which together form part of the Aranjuez Cultural Landscape. The surrounding setting is therefore an essential part of the historical visit.