Madrid – Six Of The City’s Secret Garden Hideouts

At first sight, Madrid appears a bustling city with crowds and cars lining its streets. Search a tiny bit harder and you have numerous hidden gems in which to enjoy some natural calm amidst Spain’s busy capital.

El Jardín Secreto, Salvador Bachiller:

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Number one on the list is the café literally named ‘The Secret Garden’. Little known to locals or tourists, this café is situated on the rooftop terrace of the leather shop Salvador Bachiller on Calle Montera, just off Gran Vía and is lined with beautiful trees and plants. It is free to access, and you can browse the shoes and handbags of this luxury store on the way up. El Jardín Secreto has an extensive cocktail menu featuring travel-inspired and Hollywood-themed drinks such as the Cuban Mojito and the Darth Vader, to name a few. Alongside alcoholic drinks, you can find an array of caffeinated or chilled refreshments, as well as brunches and snacks throughout the day. In summer, the entire area is exposed to the warm Spanish sun, while in winter temporary roof cover protects the terrace from the cold, allowing you to visit this charming café any time of the year.

Botanical Gardens:

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While perhaps less secret, Madrid’s botanical gardens offer an equally relaxing way to spend an hour or two amidst a busy city trip. Entry costs €3, with discounts for concessions. The ticket includes the outside gardens as well as several greenhouses with a wide range of tropical plants, cacti and ponds. The many benches scattered around the gardens provide the perfect spot to sit back, absorb some sun and enjoy the view. Drinking in the streets in Spain is banned by many local authorities so a beer at the gardens’ outdoors café is a better way to enjoy a refreshment in the sunshine.

Atocha Station:

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Atocha station, located to the south of the city centre, is Madrid’s main station with access to the metro and light-rail Cercanias, as well as regional and national high-speed Ave trains. Yet this train station stands out from the rest due to its botanical interior. The old part of the station was transformed into a tropical garden in 1992 and is now home to 7,000 plants of over 200 species. An even more surprising quirk is the 200 turtles kept in a large pond at the bottom of the station, which tourists and locals alike come to see. So whether you’re hopping on a train to explore more of Spain, or simply fancy a unique addition to your Madrid itinerary, Atocha station is well worth a visit.

La Rosaleda:

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La Rosaleda consists of a rose garden located in Parque del Oeste, in which flowers from across the world are displayed. Entry to this garden is free and while the area is not huge, this is a lovely place to walk along neatly groomed pathways and appreciate the thoughtfully laid out garden. La Rosaleda is open to the public all year round, although it is especially worth visiting in spring and summer when the flowers are blossoming.

Ojalá:

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While not strictly a garden, Ojalá restaurant is an indoor haven of plants and decorative lights that also offers a delicious and original menu. Sit at one of Ojalá’s many elaborate tables while choosing from their worldwide brunch menu, where dishes are inspired by different countries, or one of their heartier meals ranging from burgers to Spanish omelette. Drinks include chilli-cocoa-tequila coffees and a variety of beers, cocktails and homemade juices. This restaurant is a great spot in the daytime, especially in warmer weather when the sun pours in through the opened doors, but also doubles up as a fun bar in the evenings. The basement is covered in sand and seaside decorations to create an authentic ‘beach bar’ atmosphere, which is the closest beach experience to be had in inland Madrid!

Jardín del Angel:

Jardin del Angel / Via jardindelangel.es

This magical shop on Calle de las Huertas, a mere 5-minute walk from Sol, contains all types of cacti, hanging plants and creepers. In one corner you’ll find some classic Spanish souvenirs, but the rest of the walls are adorned with plants so it feels more like walking into a garden rather than a shop. If you do buy anything, don’t forget that Spain uses euros so make sure you get some out beforehand, although it’s useful to know that most ATMs will allow the use of international bank cards. Even if you aren’t the keenest gardener and don’t want to leave with a plant in tow, the Jardín del Angel is still worth popping into for 10 minutes to provide some well-needed greenery amidst a busy shopping day.