Source
The Europe Park is the thing I enjoyed the most out of all of Madrid’s attractions, however, I get the impression that it is not as well-known as it should be. I asked my flatmates and various locals if they’ve been to the park, many told me they hadn’t and I was surprised that there are people who don’t know it, especially because I consider it one of the 'must-sees'.
Why is it so special?
The Europa Park is somewhere that you can visit with all the family! There are activities for people of all ages.
The most important feature of the park is the 17 monuments which are (smaller) replicas of the most distinctive places in Europe.
- Atomium (Brussels)
- Viking ship
- Michelangelo’s David
- The Trevi fountain
- The Statue of the Little Mermaid (Copenhagen)
- Manneken Pis (in real size – Brussels)
- Dutch windmills
- The Berlin Wall (with an original fragment of the wall)
- Plaza de España (Madrid)
- Plaza de Europa (exclusive to the park, a representation of the member states of the Council of Europe)
- London Bridge
- Van Gogh’s Langlois Bridge
- Puerta de Alcalá (Madrid)
- Brandenburg Bridge (Berlin)
- Belem Tower (Lisbon)
- The Eiffel Tower
- Greek Theatre
Atomium
Brandenburg Bridge
Dutch windmills
Eiffel tower
Fragment of the Berlin Wall
Puerta de Alcalá
London Bridge
The park is so vast that it could take three hours to find all the monuments, but this is not an issue as on the way you will find many other distractions. At the side of each monument there is a brief description of its history and its importance. All the monuments are so detailed that they almost look real! My favourites were London Bridge and the Puerta de Alcalá because that are the most like their originals.
The park takes good care of its green areas, which are another thing to admire, from the way they decorate a simple meeting point to the way they decorate the trees.
For Children
The park has many activities for children. Underneath the replica of Tower Bridge there is an artificial lake where you can rent a small boat and explore it. Near the Greek Theatre, there is a zip linethat stretches above the lake so that the younger children can feel an adrenaline rush. During the tour, there are many places with activities such as a place to practice archery, rent a family bike (with a roof), even horse-riding!
Specifically, in the area “Fun at the Farm” there is an enclosed space decorated for children. There you can eat with the family, ride the train, or play mini golf.
From an abandoned dump to one of the largest green areas in Madrid
It’s hard to believe once you have visited the park how before it was a disused dump for old electronics, forgotten ships and sub-standard housing, which caused insecurity in the area... what a transformation!
By means of an important investment, it is now the large green zone of Torrejón, with its main purpose being tourism. Its construction created many permanent jobs with 5000 trees, three lakes, events and leisure zones.
The park makes an income with the organisation of family events such as birthdays and baby showers.
Cultural activities in the park
Unfortunately, when I went, I wanted to arrive early as I was afraid that lots of people would arrive and I wouldn’t be able to take photos of the sculptures. I remember I arrived at 12 in the afternoon and this was also a mistake. At first when we arrived the park was practically empty, and afterwards, we realised how difficult it was to walk around the park under the hot summer sun and it was a tiring experience. When we went at 6 in the evening, we noticed that this is the time that people go to the park, mainly because its cultural activities are at night.
The day we went there was a special presentation of “Dance of the cybernetic source” in which the spring dances to the rhythm of the music and lights, this event lasted until 11 pm and we couldn’t stay since the park was filling up for this function. It seems that the park often runs these types of night time events, and due to good lighting, you can appreciate all the monuments even in the dark. Someone told us that he thinks that the park is more beautiful at night.
Are there restaurants inside the park?
Of course, there are loads! You can eat at the Europe viewpoint, if you buy a flexible ticket. This restaurant is located inside the park and allows you to enjoy a meal overlooking the unforgettable view of the monuments.
There is also Bucaramanga Hidden Garden which is a relaxed terrace with a more intimate atmosphere, more suitable for special night events that are aimed more at adults.
You can also find many fast food restaurants such as Pizzería-Kebab Canarias, where the pizza is cooked in a pizza oven. If you have a craving for it, you can go to the Brandenburg ice cream parlour where you can enjoy frozen yoghurt and crepes.
If like us you are on exchange and on a budget, you can opt to bring your own food and have a picnic, which is what we did. Everyone brings something small (the good thing is that when you enter the park they don’t search bags, nor do they prohibit bringing food into the park) and in a shop near the park we bought a tinto de verano for €1. 50. We enjoyed our day of sandwiches, chocolate napolitanas and tinto de verano, we couldn’t ask for anything better, and it wasn’t necessary to spend the €10 to eat in the park.
How to get there
The park is in Torrejón de Ardoz, therefore the only way to arrive (which is easy and cheap) is via the cercanías. This zone isn’t part of zone A (limited to the centre of Madrid) rather zone B2. If you have a monthly metro pass (for zone A) the cost of a return ticket is approximately €3. 70.
When you take the cercanías, you can take the C1 line (the blue one towards Alcalá de Henares), the C2 line (towards Zaragoza) or the C7 (the red one towards Alcalá de Henares) and get off at Torrejón de Ardoz. Once you arrive, you can wait for the C2 bus (leaving from the left of the cercanías station) and this will take you directly to the park entrance.
If you come by car the park has a large car park.
Price?
Good news! The entrance to the park is free! The only cost is transport which is 6 euros from Madrid with a monthly travel pass.
Opening times?
The park is open from 11 am to 12 am (from Sunday to Thursday and bank holidays) and from 11 am to 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Bear in mind that this is only the summer schedule.
Recommendations?
- I recommend that you go at 5 pm if you want to visit during the summer. The sun before 5 pm is very strong and I promise that if you visit afterwards the park isn’t going to be full and you will still have a good time.
- It’s much more fun to bring your own food and have a picnic, this is also much cheaper.
- Wear comfortable clothes because you will do a lot of walking.
- Do not visit the park only. Walk around Torrejón de Ardoz and enjoy the tranquility and its calm way of life, it's really relaxing.
- You can bring your own water bottle and refill it for free.
