Inside the Arganzuela Bridge: the steel rings form a tunnel that narrows towards the far end.
The Arganzuela Bridge, also known as the Perrault Bridge or the corkscrew bridge, is a 278-metre footbridge over the Manzanares River and the Madrid Río park, between Paseo de Yeserías and Calle Antonio López. You can cross it on foot or by bike, it is free, and the nearest metro station is Pirámides (Line 5), about 5–8 minutes away on foot.
I walked there from Usera, which is just across the river. I had seen it many times from below, but until you walk through it you don't really understand why it has become one of the icons of Madrid Río. Here is how to get there, what to see and where to take the best photos.
The Arganzuela Bridge on video
Before the details, this is what it looks like to walk through it and see it from the riverbank, in 20 seconds:
Arganzuela Bridge: key facts
| Official name | Puente Monumental de Arganzuela |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Perrault Bridge, corkscrew bridge (puente sacacorchos), Arganzuela footbridge |
| Architect | Dominique Perrault |
| Opened | March 2011 |
| Length | 278 m, in two sections of 150 m and 128 m |
| Width | 5 to 12 m |
| Connects | Paseo de Yeserías (Arganzuela) with Calle Antonio López and Avenida del Manzanares |
| Nearest metro | Pirámides (Line 5) |
| Price | Free, it is a public crossing |
| Open to | Pedestrians and cyclists |
Where is the Arganzuela Bridge?
The bridge is right in the middle of Madrid Río, between the Toledo Bridge (Puente de Toledo) and the Praga Bridge (Puente de Praga). It has two sections that meet on an artificial hill in the middle of the park:
- Southern section (150 m): crosses the Manzanares River and lands between Avenida del Manzanares and Calle Antonio López, on the Usera side.
- Northern section (128 m): runs above Arganzuela Park and ends at Paseo de Yeserías.
Get directions from your location in Google Maps →
How to get to the Arganzuela Bridge
By metro and Cercanías train
- Pirámides (Metro Line 5 and Cercanías): the closest stop, about 5–8 minutes on foot. Exit towards Paseo de la Chopera and keep walking along the same pavement until you reach Paseo de Yeserías.
- Acacias (Line 5): another option, about 7–10 minutes on foot.
By bus
Several EMT bus lines run along Paseo de Yeserías and around Pirámides. The ones listed by Madrid's official tourism website and transport apps include 18, 34, 36, 62, 118 and 119, plus the night buses (búhos) N12, N15 and N26. EMT changes routes quite often, so check your stop on the EMT website or app before you go.
By bike
The bike lane is painted on the bridge deck, and Madrid Río has a cycle path all along the river. If you use BiciMAD, Madrid's public bike service, the nearest docking stations are Madrid Río - Yeserías (Paseo de Yeserías, 15) and the one at Calle de Toledo, 181. Just keep in mind that inside the bridge you share the space with lots of people walking, so ride slowly.
The way in is a ramp with the bike lane marked on the deck.
Walking from Usera
This is how I did it. From Usera you just head down to Calle Antonio López and Avenida del Manzanares: the southern section of the bridge starts right there and takes you straight over the river. Depending on where you start in the neighbourhood, it is a 15 to 30-minute walk. If you are near Pradolongo Park or Usera's Chinatown arch, you can link all three places in a single walk.
Along Madrid Río, on foot or by bike
If you are already doing the Madrid Río walking route, the bridge is on your way: it is about 10 minutes on foot past the Toledo Bridge, heading towards Matadero and Legazpi. It is worth the detour to go up the ramp and cross it instead of walking underneath.
What to see on the Arganzuela Bridge
The spiral tunnel
What makes it unique is its shape. From the outside it is two steel cones wrapped in metal mesh that twist like a corkscrew, which is where the nickname comes from. Each section starts 5 metres wide and opens up to 12, so as you walk through it the tunnel seems to grow or narrow with every step.
The sun between the mirrored lampposts: my favourite photo of the bridge.
Inside, the deck is made of wood and the lampposts, with their mirror panels, look like small metal trees. In the afternoon sun, the steel rings cast striped shadows on the floor that change as you move forward. If you like photography, stand in the middle, look down the tunnel and shoot: the symmetry does almost all the work.
The bridge from the outside
To see the full spiral you need to go down into the park. From the paths along the river, next to the rocky embankment, you get a side view of the structure, with its curved metal mesh shining in the sun.
The corkscrew bridge seen from the embankment, by the river.
Views of the Manzanares
The southern section works as a viewpoint over the river. From up there you see the Manzanares, the willows on its banks, the Madrid Río paths on both sides and, in the distance, the other bridges that cross it. It is a view you don't get from below.
The Manzanares from the top of the bridge.
Arganzuela Park in autumn
The northern section ends above Arganzuela Park, and autumn is when it looks its best: the trees below the bridge turn red and yellow and stand out against the grey steel. If you can choose, go in October or November, late in the afternoon.
The northern section over Arganzuela Park, with autumn colours.
A bit of history: the Perrault Bridge
The bridge is part of Madrid Río, the large park built between 2006 and 2011 when the M-30 ring road was moved underground along the Manzanares. Before that, the river and the motorway separated neighbourhoods such as Arganzuela, Usera and Carabanchel; today you can walk from one to another in a couple of minutes.
It was designed by French architect Dominique Perrault, who also designed the Caja Mágica, the tennis stadium a little further south. It opened in March 2011 and cost around 13 million euros, which is why many people simply call it the Perrault Bridge. At night, spotlights fitted under the deck light it up from below.
Tips for your visit
- Best light: in the afternoon, when the sun comes in sideways between the steel rings and draws shadows on the floor.
- For photos without people: early in the morning. Weekend afternoons are quite busy.
- See it both ways: cross it through the tunnel and come back through the park to see it from the outside.
- If you are cycling: go slowly, the space is shared and there are families with pushchairs.
- Footwear: if you combine it with the Madrid Río route, you will add several kilometres on hard ground, so wear comfortable walking shoes.
What to see near the Arganzuela Bridge
- Matadero Madrid: the old slaughterhouse turned into a cultural centre, about 15 minutes on foot along the river towards Legazpi.
- Arganzuela Crystal Palace greenhouse: in Arganzuela Park itself, with free entry. Check the opening hours before you go, as it is not open every day or at all hours.
- Toledo Bridge: a baroque bridge from the 18th century, about 10 minutes upstream.
- Madrid Railway Museum: in the old Delicias station, a short walk from Paseo de Yeserías.
- The MADRID letters in Madrid Río: at the start of the route, next to the Puente del Rey bridge, if you want to walk the whole of Madrid Río.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Arganzuela Bridge?
In Madrid Río, between the Toledo Bridge and the Praga Bridge. It connects Paseo de Yeserías, in the Arganzuela district, with Calle Antonio López, on the Usera side.
What is the nearest metro station to the Arganzuela Bridge?
Pirámides, on Line 5, about 5–8 minutes on foot. It is also a Cercanías commuter train station.
Why is it called the corkscrew bridge?
Because of its spiral shape, which looks like a corkscrew. It is also called the Perrault Bridge, after its architect, Dominique Perrault.
How long is the Arganzuela Bridge?
278 metres in total, split into two sections of 150 and 128 metres that meet on a hill in the middle of the park.
Can you cycle across it?
Yes, the bike lane is marked on the deck, but it is shared with pedestrians, so ride slowly.
Do you have to pay to cross the bridge?
No. It is a free public crossing inside Madrid Río park.
In short
The Arganzuela Bridge is one of those places you discover best on foot. From the metro or a car you only catch a glimpse; when you walk across it, with the river below and the light coming through the steel, you understand why it is the icon of Madrid Río. And if you live in the south of Madrid, like me, it is just a walk from home.
You can find more routes with distances, metro stations and water fountains on my Madrid routes page, or continue to the Retiro Park walking route from Atocha to Sol.
Have you crossed the corkscrew bridge yet? Tell me in the comments where you came from and whether you walked or cycled.
🇪🇸 Leer en español: Puente de Arganzuela, cómo llegar y qué ver en Madrid Río
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