Garden of the Island

The Garden of the Island (Jardín de la Isla) occupies a tongue of land in the Tagus formed by an artificial channel, and is the oldest of Aranjuez's royal gardens. It was first developed under Philip II in the 16th century and retains a more intimate, shaded character than the vast Jardín del Príncipe. A long avenue of fountains dedicated to mythological figures runs its length, and the surrounding plane trees and willows create deep shade even in midsummer.

The garden is free to enter and tends to attract fewer visitors than the main Parterre alongside the palace. It's an excellent place to escape the midday heat and to see some fine 18th-century fountain sculpture. The river views from the garden's southern edge are among the most pleasant in Aranjuez.

things to do sight garden
A story
The Island Garden occupies a real island in the Tagus created by a diversion channel dug in the 16th century under Philip II. It was the first of Aranjuez's royal gardens to be developed and retains more of the Renaissance formal character than the later gardens. The 18th century added a series of fountains along its main avenue, each dedicated to a classical figure, creating what contemporary visitors described as the finest fountain promenade in Spain.