The Royal Botanic Garden (Real Jardín Botánico), founded in 1755 and moved by Charles III next to what is now the Prado Museum in 1781, displays about 5,500 species of living plants on stepped terraces. Today it belongs to the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). You enter through the Puerta de Murillo, Plaza de Murillo, 2, opposite the Prado. It opens every day at 10:00 and closes between 18:00 and 21:00 depending on the month (19:00 in October); admission costs €4, and it is free for everyone on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 13:30.
Highlights
The garden terraces
The garden rises over several terraces linked by box-edged paths dotted with fountains. The Terraza de los Cuadros displays ornamental, medicinal and aromatic plants, the Terraza de las Escuelas Botánicas arranges plants by family around fountains, and the Terraza del Plano de la Flor, laid out in the 19th century in the English romantic style, surrounds a pond with a bust of Linnaeus.
The greenhouses
The Estufa de las Palmas, a 19th-century iron-and-glass greenhouse, shelters palms and tropical plants. A more recent greenhouse brings together plants from varied climates, from desert to tropical forest. The greenhouses close 30 minutes before the garden.
The Plaza de Murillo entrance
The visitor entrance, opposite the Prado, is through a granite building with columns that houses the ticket offices; they close 30 minutes before the garden.
The bonsai collection
On the Terraza de los Laureles, the highest terrace, a greenhouse displays the bonsai collection donated by former prime minister Felipe González, included in the admission ticket.
The Villanueva Pavilion
On the Terraza del Plano de la Flor, this building bears the name of the architect Juan de Villanueva, who designed the Prado; it hosts paid temporary exhibitions, between €2 and €5 depending on the exhibition, on top of the garden ticket.
Opening hours and prices
Open every day at 10:00; closes at 18:00 from November to February, 19:00 in March and October, 20:00 in April and September, 21:00 from May to August; ticket offices, greenhouses and exhibitions close 30 minutes earlier. Closed on 25 December and 1 January. Full price €4 (garden, bonsai greenhouse and the Cavanilles Chair exhibition); reduced price €1 for students aged 18 to 25, over-65s and large families; groups of 10 people or more €2 per person. Free for under-18s, teachers, the unemployed, people with disabilities and their companion, ICOM members, and for everyone on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 13:30. Tickets at the ticket office or online (prices as of October 2026).
Infos pratiques
Tips
Come on Tuesday morning before 13:30 for free entry, arriving early as the garden is busier then. Picnics and animals (except guide dogs) are not allowed; there is a cafeteria in the garden. Allow one to two hours, and combine the visit with the Prado, opposite, or the nearby Retiro Park.
How to get there
Plaza de Murillo, 2, 28014 Madrid (Puerta de Murillo, opposite the Prado Museum). Metro Atocha or Estación del Arte (line 1), Banco de España (line 2). Cercanías: Madrid-Atocha station. Buses 10, 14, 19, 26, 27, 32, 34, 37 and 45.
Opening hours
Nearby
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