In the Quinta de los Molinos, you can already enjoy the flowering landscape of the nearly 1,900 almond trees that occupy the park. This natural phenomenon, which repeats every year, marks the arrival of spring and attracts many people from Madrid and visitors who come to enjoy the scenery and walk its paths in a peaceful atmosphere.
During the year 2024, the City Council of Madrid carried out the planting of 56 new almond trees in the Quinta with the purpose of maintaining and revitalizing its emblematic almond grove. This initiative allowed to replace young specimens that did not take root in previous campaigns and to substitute some trees of advanced age that, after completing their life cycle, left empty spaces in the landscape.
The conservation of this tree ensemble is a constant task, so replacements are carried out continuously, thus ensuring the integrity of the almond grove and ensuring that all cultivation plots are complete and in optimal conditions.
Different almond varieties
Currently, the Quinta de los Molinos houses a total of 1,895 almond trees, forming a unique ecosystem within the park. The most predominant variety is the marcona, one of the most appreciated for the quality of its almonds and its abundant flowering, with a total of 1,277 specimens. The second most numerous variety is the desmayo largueta, with 396 trees, known for its elongated almonds and early flowering. In addition, the park has 226 almond trees of other varieties scattered throughout its extension, enriching the biodiversity and providing differentiated nuances to the ensemble.
This combination of different species not only contributes to the landscape diversity but also plays a fundamental role in the pollination process. The presence of different types of almond trees favors this natural process, increasing fertility and ensuring a longer flowering period. Thanks to this variety, the Quinta de los Molinos offers, for several weeks, a floral spectacle of extraordinary beauty, where the white and pink tones of the flowering almond trees cover the park, attracting visitors and nature lovers.
The flowering period in the Quinta varies each year depending on the climatic conditions. Generally, the almond trees begin to bloom between mid and late February, reaching their peak splendor in early or mid-March. However, factors such as temperature and precipitation can advance or delay this process, making each flowering season unique and unpredictable.
Thanks to the continuous care and progressive renewal of its specimens, the Quinta de los Molinos remains a reference in the conservation of urban almond groves, offering citizens a natural space to enjoy the splendor of flowering year after year.
More than just almond trees
The Quinta de los Molinos is one of the most unique corners of Madrid, where nature, history, and architecture combine to offer a unique space. The 21.26 hectares granted to the City Council of Madrid by the owners preserve the essence of an old recreational and agricultural experimentation estate, bequeathing to the city a landscape of contrasts where flowering almond trees, historical buildings, and lush wooded areas coexist.
In the heart of the park stands the Palacete de la Quinta, a construction that follows the principles of the Viennese secession movement, part of modernism, and that was once the residence of its owner. Although not open to the public, its presence recalls the manorial past of the estate. Very close to it rises the Casa del Reloj, another building of great architectural interest that owes its name to the old clock that marked the hours on the property.
Water played a fundamental role in the life of the Quinta, as evidenced by its irrigation system, composed of wells, mills, and channels. Witness to this is the pond, built in the hollow of the Trancos stream that originally supplied the crops. The pond constitutes a quiet natural corner where various species of birds and amphibians have found refuge. The bridge over the Trancos stream, a small but picturesque vestige of the hydraulic engineering of the estate, is also preserved.
In its route, the Quinta offers various landscape experiences. On one hand, romantic paths, designed with gentle curves and surrounded by lush vegetation, invite a walk where nature is the protagonist. On the other hand, the geometric gardens, located near the palacete, present a more orderly design, with aligned paths and trimmed hedges, reflecting the influence of classic European gardens.
The park also preserves its agricultural vocation through its traditional orchards and crops, where, in addition to almond trees, olive trees, fig trees, and hazelnut trees can be found. This area recalls the old productive function of the estate and its contribution to agricultural development in the capital. In the northern part of the park extends a Mediterranean forest where pines, holm oaks, and native shrubs create a cool and shaded environment, ideal for bird watching such as blackbirds, robins, or greenfinches.
In recent years, the Quinta de los Molinos has incorporated a cultural facet with the creation of the Espacio Abierto Quinta de los Molinos, a center dedicated to creativity and family leisure. Located in a rehabilitated area of the park, it offers activities such as workshops and play experiences for the little ones, promoting the connection between art, childhood, and nature.
This set of elements makes the Quinta de los Molinos a unique place in Madrid where history merges with biodiversity in an environment that invites walking and enjoyment. Each corner of the park holds a fragment of its past and offers a different experience, making it a must-visit destination at any time of the year.
The park is open every day of the year, from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and most of its routes are accessible for people with reduced mobility.
