BOTANICAL GARDENS MADRID
Spain’s capital and its largest city, Madrid is a wonderful place for tourists to enjoy an environmentally friendly trip. The foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama act as a scenic backdrop for this young, dynamic city which has seen huge growth since the end of the Franco period.
Madrid has more green surfaces and trees per resident than any other European city. Atocha, the main train station, is a place where visitors wouldn’t expect to be home to a spectacular botanical garden, but that is exactly the spot where this luscious greenery awaits them. Beautiful greenery and water features greet incoming guests to the capital.
Madrid city officials began combating car emission problems with a tree planting campaign which added an additional 248,000 trees lining the streets to absorb pollution and increase oxygen.
With millions of passengers flying to and from Madrid throughout the year, the number of cars making outbound and return journeys is just as high. Tourists should make use of Madrid’s public transportation. The city centre is easily accessible from Madrid Barajas Airport via the Madrid Metro or Empresa Municipal de Transportes de Madrid (EMT), the city’s bus system. Metro tickets may be purchased for a single journey through the entire network or a package of discounts on multiple rides.
“Green” visitors will pass the international food chains which ship goods across the world but should stick to the local eateries; these not only offer authentic recipes, but use local fish, poultry, meats and produce to prepare them. El Rastro, Barrio de Salamanca and Gran Via give guests a true taste of the city. A café con leche enjoyed sitting with locals at a Spanish bar at breakfast will let you feel truly a part of Spain.
Several hotels are committed to conserving natural resources, using products from environmentally responsible sources and minimizing waste. The Inter-Continental Madrid is part of a resort chain that abides by an eco-manual specifying 134 “green” points. They use solar panelling and utilise Eco Alcala Suites to provide eco-friendly furniture which conserve energy and resources. Eco-friendly housing and apartments are available to rent (especially for groups or large families) equipped with low energy lighting and appliances and recycling facilities. If you book a holiday package that combines your hotel and flight choice, there are a few companies who work solely with eco-friendly hotels at no extra cost to you.
Buen Retiro and El Capricho Park in Alameda de Osun are parks in the middle of Madrid. Buen Retiro is popular with residents and is one of the city’s most famous parks. The El Capricho Park was styled on 18th century French gardens and covers nearly 35 acres of expansive greenery. An artificial river winds through the park feeding a lake with an island and pavilion. The park is located in Barajas and slightly out of the way for most tourists making it more enjoyable for those who make the effort to find it.
Ecocentro, a vegetarian restaurant and organic food store located off the Avenue de Pablo Iglesias, offers tofu, leek or pumpkin croquette with Emmental cheese. Near Buen Retiro Park is Vegetarian Art. Its wall murals depict childhood fairy tales. Their vegetarian sampler features rice, onion rings, feta cheese Canelones, onion quiche, courgette and walnut crepes, four cheese pie and vegetarian lasagne—a great way to enjoy going “green” in Madrid.