Jardín del Príncipe

Jardín del Príncipe Review

The city's most impressive garden is the Jardín del Príncipe, which spreads between the Tagus course and Calle de la Reina. Designed at the end of the 18th century, it's divided into a dozen distinctive sections. In the northwestern corner of the garden is the old royal jetty and the Museo de Falúas (Felucca Museum Calle de La Reina s/n, 28300. 918/912453. €2 visit, €3 guided tour. Oct.-Mar., daily 10-5:15, Apr.-Sept., Tues.-Sun. 10-6:15), home to seven impressive gondolas used by Spanish royalty for festive outings on the Tagus and other Spanish rivers. In the eighth garden to the east of Jardín del Príncipe is La Casita del Labrador (Royal Laborer's House. 918/910305) displaying a unique neo-classic style, built by Carlos IV as a rustic escape from palace activity. During its construction, however, the king got carried away, creating an ostentatious small palace with all the sumptuous decorative arts of the period on display. The house can be visited only via a guided tour (€5), conducted in Spanish, and must be reserved in advance (maximum 10 people. When you've finished your tour, the best way to get back to town is to walk the path parallel to the Calle de la Reina, inside the park.