Strawberry Train

The Strawberry Train (Tren de la Fresa) is a heritage railway service that runs from Madrid's Atocha Station to Aranjuez on weekends from May to June, using a vintage steam locomotive and restored 19th-century carriages. It's a tourist service rather than a practical transport option, but it's a genuinely enjoyable way to arrive in Aranjuez and adds a layer of historical charm to a day trip.

The journey takes about 50 minutes and includes a brief stop at a station along the way where strawberries — Aranjuez's famous local product — are served to passengers. The service is popular with families and tends to sell out on spring weekends. Book in advance through Renfe's heritage railway programme. The return journey back to Madrid is included in the ticket.

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A story
The Strawberry Train uses a restored 19th-century steam locomotive and vintage wooden carriages to recreate the original railway journey that connected Madrid to the royal gardens at Aranjuez — a route inaugurated in 1851 as one of the first railway lines in Spain. On arrival in Aranjuez, passengers are greeted by women in period costume who sell strawberries from wicker baskets, continuing a tradition from the early railway era when local strawberry sellers would board the train at the platform.