Can you imagine a country house of 170 hectares? And yet there is one in Madrid — the name Casa de Campo Park translates precisely as 'country house'. It is the Spanish capital's most significant and entertaining green space. If you plan to spend more than a day in Madrid with your child, Casa de Campo will help you organise various activities.
The Casa de Campo park in Madrid dates back to the 16th century when King Phillip II of Spain decided to move his residence to the current capital of Spain. The green area served as both hunting grounds and a resting place for the royal family. In 1931, the inhabitants of Madrid got their use of the park, and now it is never empty.
A metro line runs along the park, but arriving at the holiday spot in a cable car is much more enjoyable. You can see the clumps of trees from which the roller coaster suddenly emerges, the large lake, the zoo and the spacious playgrounds.
The primary type of recreation in the park is blissful idleness. You can stroll along the lanes, sit in the shade on a bench, sunbathe or picnic on the lawn, swim in the lake or go boating. For younger fidgeters, you should stay close to the playgrounds. The playgrounds are located in different parts of the park, each with an original design. Casa de Campo has a zoo. You can meet amazing animals, have fun with sea lions, dolphins and birds, and learn about the habits of the animals.
The largest amusement park in Madrid is also at Casa de Campo. You can't stop here for an hour — there are almost four dozen rides, and you'll want to go on many. The nice thing is that many of the rides are designed for pre-schoolers and rides for the whole family. There's a cartoon show during the day and a chilling "The Walking Dead" show after dark.
Another attractive feature of the park is the gourmet promenade. Along Paseo de la Gastronomía, a gastronomic boulevard lined with restaurants where you can sample traditional Spanish cuisine. Other parks in Madrid are suitable for children. For example, next to the Prado Museum and the Reina Sofia Arts Centre is the Retiro Park with its wonderful rose garden and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
