These are Madrid walking routes I have done myself, on foot, with the real distances, metro stations, water fountains and shade I found along the way. They are flat or gentle, easy to reach by public transport and easy to cut short, so they work whether you're visiting Madrid for a few days or you live here and want to start moving more.
Most of them are also good for running, and two of them run along Madrid's cycle network. Every route has its own detailed guide: pick one below.
How I choose these routes
- Close to public transport: you can start and finish at a metro or commuter train station, and leave the route halfway if you need to.
- Comfortable surfaces: pavement, tarmac or packed earth. No technical trails.
- Water and shade: I note where the drinking fountains are and which sections are exposed to the sun.
- Real data: times and photos from my own walks, not copied from other guides.
Madrid routes at a glance
| Route | Distance | Terrain | Nearest metro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid Río | 5.5 km, one way | Flat | Príncipe Pío, Legazpi |
| Retiro Park: Atocha to Sol | About 5.5 km | Gentle, one short climb | Estación del Arte, Retiro, Sol |
| Pradolongo Park loop | About 4 km, circular | Gentle, some steps | Hospital 12 de Octubre, Usera |
Madrid Río: a flat 5.5 km by the river
The easiest route in the city: a car-free riverside park along the Manzanares, from Príncipe Pío to Legazpi, completely flat and with a metro station at every section. Ideal for a first long walk, an easy run or a relaxed bike ride, since the park has its own cycle paths.
Read the Madrid Río walking route
Retiro Park: from Atocha to Puerta del Sol
Madrid's most famous park, crossed from south to north: up Cuesta de Moyano, past the Rose Garden, the Great Pond with the Alfonso XII monument and the Palacio de Velázquez, then down Calle Alcalá to kilometre zero in Puerta del Sol. About two hours with photo stops, with the real time at each point.
Read the Retiro Park walking route
Pradolongo Park: a local loop in Usera
A 4 km loop through a park most visitors never see: a lake where people play kayak polo, a church damaged in the Civil War, a botanical garden and, every February, the biggest Chinese New Year celebration in Spain. Madrid's green cycling ring, the Anillo Verde Ciclista, runs through it.
Read the Pradolongo Park guide
Places worth the walk
- The Madrid Río letters: the blue recycled-glass MADRID sign by Puente del Rey, with the Royal Palace behind it. The starting point of the Madrid Río route.
- Madrid Railway Museum: steam locomotives under an 1880 iron train shed, 20 minutes' walk south of Atocha. Easy to combine with the Retiro route.
Tips for walking in Madrid
- Summer heat is serious. From June to September, walk early in the morning or in the evening, and avoid the hours around midday.
- Water: Madrid's tap water and public fountains are drinkable. Parks have fountains, but they can be far apart, so carry a bottle.
- Metro: all the routes on this page are in public transport fare zone A, the cheapest one.
- Shoes: comfortable trainers with some cushioning are enough for every route here.
Coming soon
I'm adding new routes as I walk them, including the lake loop in Casa de Campo, the Cerro del Tío Pío viewpoint for sunset over the city, and sections of the Anillo Verde Ciclista for cycling.
This page is also available in Spanish: Rutas por Madrid para caminar, correr y montar en bici.
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