The main passenger terminal is Madrid-Barajas Airport, to the west of the capital city, which links via a toll-road to the thee concentric peripheral routes M-50 (outer) M-40 and M-30 (inner) autovías. There are also direct rail and metro services from Terminal 4.
Use either M-50, M-40, or M-30 peripheral major roads around Madrid which connect to A-4 (Autovia Sur/direction Cordoba) use exit at Km 37 (under arched footbridge) to M-305 ( regular road direction Aranjuez - take care of tight bend left and 2 lanes converging).
This leads via La Montaña district and automotive sales zone (3Km north of city) and then directly to the royal palace (recommended: use free surface car-park on left immediately after road-width restriction or continue into monumental zone then turn right under arch by church to paid underground parking in Calle Valeras).
For the south (industrial area) of town continue on A4 to next exit (or use toll road R-4).
In summer, RENFE occasionally run the [[:W|Strawberry train] - la tren de la fresa is a steam-train tourist service from Madrid
Madrid region [wiki=f32ebc17a73404301e26b40477038982]:W:Cercanias[/wiki] C-3 service trains link Arunjuez directly to [wiki=6314044c3803213e9fd3f3ecf8c90d65]Madrid[/wiki] The ride takes roughly 45 min to 55 min from Atocha, Sol or Chamartin.
From [wiki=6314044c3803213e9fd3f3ecf8c90d65]Madrid[/wiki] Atocha train station RENFE high-speed trains connect directly to the airport and to most Iberian cities. For [wiki=e20d37a5d7fcc4c35be6fc18a8e71bfa]Paris[/wiki] change from AVE to TGV at at Barcelona
Aranjuez has many fine gardens and parks as well as those of the royal palace complex. For a swift introduction, there is the tourist chiquitren or wagon-train which optionally offers a combined ticket which includes some museum entry and riverboat services. This leaves daily, all year round, from behind the Royal Palace, through the town and around the Jardin del Principe royal gardens, and includes a recorded commentary in Spanish and English. The Jardin de la Isla is a more formal garden with some notable fountains joining the palace.
To the north, beyond the rotunda Roseñol cobbled roundabout (near the riverside tourist resturant 'el Rana Verde) are the royal vegetable gardens (now farmland). These are served by protected royal rides (now restricted to pedestrian and bicycle us). As well as being level, they boast elegant, tree-lined, shade and shingle surfaces. Radiating like a clock from the Doce Calles (12 ways) roundabout/kiosk-bar, some border the river, whilst others lead to a new- park - the steep slope known as talud sur de la Montaña which has an ancient water-wheel and path-extensions all bicycle or wheelchair accessible and suitable for the fitter users.
Operates all year round from about 10am. with commentaries in Spanish and English but is open and unheated
This is a small town which supports independent traders rather than multiple-stores so some unusual finds. There is one major hypermarket (Le Clerc in paseo Delete) and several smaller food outlets including Eroski, Mercadona, Más and two Lidle stores, For best value and freshest local produce, try the central covered market. English is widely understood
There are two casinos -
* The Casino central near Calle Infantas - in Call Capitan (Angosto Gomez Castillon - but ther is only one capitain in town!)
* Gran Casino A vast complex in La Montaña (m-305 3Km north of palace)
Golf Aranjuez a 9-hole municipal facility
* La Montaña an 18-hole commercial venture
* Canoeing at Escuela de Pirigismo (opposite palace)
As well as golf and canoeing mentioned, most common sports facilities are available at low cost municipal installations, and there are various adventure activities such as outdoor airsoft or paint-ball on the so-called "Hamburger hill" adventure park (south of Aranjuez) and parapente or paragliding on La Montaña (behind schools on Avenida de la Paz de Hiroshima).
Aranjuez is the wedding capital of Spain - maybe because you are royalty for the day! There are several shops selling or hiring wedding dresses, formal wear etc. and several specialist event organizers, including:
* Gran Casino
* La Finca de Montaña
* Hotel Barcelo
Any of the several professional photographic shops in the town can suggest some great/elegant/natural backgrounds for those 'forever fotos'
In the noble tradition, seafood and shellfish are widely available all year round, often mixed with other dishes
(If you have alergies - ASK! - as many common dishes such as beef steak or green salad are prepared or served with pork products, or else garnished with mariscos which 'for safety', are often deep frozen, which locally is believed to destroy any toxins)
*Paella usually rice with seafood (con mariscos) or variations with meat (mixta) Alternative (nearly) vegetarian recipes include setas/boletus (types of mushroom) or Valenciana (mixed vegetables)
*Cocido completo In winter. a rich stew pork dish, The liquid is served as a soup and the strained vegetables and meat (pork sausage, pigs ear) is served as the main course.
*Gallinejas Fried spirals of pork offal (small intestines, spleen, and pancreas) served with French Fries
Zarajos new-born lamb intestines wound on a stick (usually a snack or tapas
*Patatas Alliolli boiled potatoes in a creamy white garlic sauce
*Patatas Bravas Fried potatoes in an unctuous red pepper-spice sauce
*Champinones button mushrooms fried with garlic in olive oil
*Sorpresa depends on what the chef has to hand - often a mini-main-course in a pot
A daily Menú is provided at most bars and restaurants at around 10 - 20 euros weekdays and slightly more at weekends, but you may have to ask for it - since La Carta is more expensive. The menu is generally very good value for money, and includes a drink (table wine or soft refresco) and either coffee or desert (rarely both).
* Pan Tomaca Toast with tomato, garlic and herbs (Tostada con tomate is simply toasted bread topped with chopped tomato)
*Sandwich Vegital despite its name this salad sandwich often has egg, cheese or chicken (Jose Carrillo serves a jumbo version for two)
*Sandwich Mixta toasted ham and cheese, usually with a fried egg on top (Jose Carrillo- again, order one for two people)
Caréme, near Palace
* Gran Casino La Montaña
Ruta Del Sol, right turn then about 50 mtrs/yds off M305 from Madrid between Doce Calles/La Montaña and Aranjues Town Center) Sheltered car parking
* Jose Carrillo, Calle Capitan - town center, near Avinida Las Infantes
Madrid is a denominated wine production are and some establishments offer local red and white table wines. High quality red wines are generally from Rioja or Ribera Duero region, and white from either Reuda or Rias Baxas - all of those regions are in northern Spain.
The main supplier is Mahou of Madrid (part of the national Mahou San Miguel group). They provide a wide range of larger type beer, often served in a deep-frozen glass (copa) or half-litre Jarra. Other national and imported beers and ales tend to be more expensive, but price varies according to the locale.
As well as bottled sherry Jerez many bars in Aranjuez have a barrel or tap (similar to, and alongside the regular beer-tap) - look out for these!
Most bars have a very wide and international selection of distilled drinks, and the waiters (camereros) enjoy producing fancy cocktails and amusing tapas.
Water from the tap (grifo is widely drunk in Spain, particularly by children, and is generally available on request - usually chilled or with ice. Ask for Agua and mineral water is usually served - with ice and lemon. The usual range of American and European sweet drinks (Coca-cola, Fanta etc) are served with lots of ice, and so are usually reasonably priced (often slightly cheaper than in Madrid capital, and much cheaper than in tourist areas).
Camping, Caravanning, [url=http://www.piraguismoaranjuez.com/|]Canoeing[/url]: use the [url=http://www.campingaranjuez.com/|]International camping site, Aranjuez[/url] off M-305 (overnight stays in car-parks and public spaces is not permitted)
* [url=http://www.grancasinoaranjuez.es/|]Casino[/url]: use Hotel Barcelo
* [url=http://www.madridgolf.co.uk/madrid-golf-course-aranjuez.htm/|]18- hole Golf[/url]': [url=http://www.barcelo.com/BarceloHotels/en_GB/hotels/Spain/Madrid/hotel-barcelo-aranjuez/general-description.aspx?ext=US_SEM_MSN_H237|]4-star Hotel Barcelo[/url] La Montana (just off M=305)