Madrid, naturally sustainable

Its natural heritage, which makes it one of the world's greenest cities, its unique natural spaces, expansive pedestrian areas, gastronomy, local products and, first and foremost, its commitment to the environment place the city of Madrid at the forefront of sustainable tourism. And, if you want to travel to the Spanish capital to soak up its charm while leaving a positive mark on the city, you can do so in the most enjoyable way.

Walking in Madrid’s light and shade

When planning your route, remember that many of the city’s treasures can be discovered simply by walking. Strolling in Madrid’s sunlight is a unique experience that you can enjoy in numerous pedestrian areas and on wide pavements like those along the avenue of Gran Vía and Calle de Alcalá.

Madrid is a city designed for people. To discover this for yourself, head to the recently remodelled Plaza de España, an iconic square from which you can now reach emblematic places like the Royal Palace and Temple of Debod on foot. Be sure to find time to visit Puerta del Sol too. Following a complete renovation, it’s now a fully pedestrian area.

Basking in Madrid’s sunlight as you explore the city is a special treat, but so is walking in the shelter of the shade provided by its trees, breathing in the oxygen they release. Over 55% of the city’s streets are tree-lined, with almost 300,000 trees contributing to improving Madrid’s air quality and making it the world’s second-leafiest city in terms of tree-lined streets, preceded only by Tokyo.

Madrid’s efforts to conserve its trees and green spaces have earned it the distinction of being named a “Tree City of the World” by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation.

Pedalling or using zero-emission transport

Another ideal—and sustainable—way to explore the city is by bike, using its cycle lanes and the cycle path that forms a ring around the city. Spain’s capital city also has bicimad, a service with almost 258 docking stations and over 3,000 fully electric bicycles. In addition, a number of businesses offer bikes for hire, especially near the city’s major parks and central areas.

Public transport is also an excellent way to help ensure your trip has a positive impact. In recent years, Madrid has worked to implement the latest green mobility trends and it now has “Líneas Cero” (“Zero Lines”) which operate with a fleet of fully electric buses and are one of the key developments rolled out as part of the Madrid 360 Environmental Sustainability Strategy.
 

Discovering Madrid’s natural heritage

With more than 200 parks, gardens and green spaces which add up to 6,400 hectares of natural heritage, there’s an endless range of options for enjoying yourself in a green, healthy setting. With every step, you’ll find another green space you want to stop in. It might be a historical gem like El Retiro Park, set in the heart of the city and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or slightly further afield, in the western part of the city where you’ll find Casa de Campo Park. Declared a Site of Cultural Interest by the government, it has over 1,500 hectares that can be enjoyed for sport, leisure and recreational purposes.

You’ll love little hidden gardens like the one at Anglona Palace or San Francisco el Grande Gardens, parks outside the city centre like Quinta de Los Molinos, and major development projects like Madrid Río Park, which stretches for ten kilometres along the banks of the Manzanares River. In it, you can walk, exercise and admire the renaturalisation of the area, which has allowed it to recover some surprising fauna.

What’s more, Madrid is developing new green spaces like the Metropolitan Forest, which will be a 75-kilometre-long green belt around the city that will have local species and areas for walking and sport.

Savouring local gastronomy

Zero-kilometre food and products with the Madrid designation of origin seal, markets with unique, high-quality offerings, and restaurants that have worked hard to include organic food on their menus are the ingredients that are being used to cook up Madrid’s new gastronomy, adapted to suit the tastes of diners who are increasingly interested in the origin and preparation behind every dish.

Sustainability has arrived at the table, and you’ll find it in all sorts of establishments scattered around the city as well as in the gourmet cuisine of chefs like Madrid-born Rodrigo de la Calle, whose restaurant El Invernadero boasts a Green Michelin Star. This distinction, which recognises commitment to sustainable gastronomy, is also held by Mario Sandoval’s restaurant Coque, which has two Michelin stars.

You’ll fall under the spell of locally sourced ingredients, which are easy to find in Madrid’s extensive network of markets like San Miguel, San Antón and Vallehermoso, where the FLOSS philosophy (Fresh, Local, Organic, Seasonal and Sustainable) plays a prominent role. Madrid can also boast of being home to products that have earned the regional Designation of Origin in recognition of their quality and the control measures used in their production. In addition to acclaimed wines, it produces world-renowned extra virgin olive oil.

Buying artisanal goods

Artisanal goods are one of the best souvenirs you can take home while contributing to sustainable development. You’ll find them in neighbourhoods like Salesas, Lavapiés, Las Letras, Chueca, Malasaña, Conde Duque, La Latina and Los Austrias (Hapbsburg Madrid). If you’re interested, you can also sign up for one of the available workshops, to make your own creations from scratch.

Capes, gloves, hats, crockery, fans, Manila shawls, jewellery, bags, furniture, tapestries, guitars, wicker goods and more. All sorts of trades have been passed down from generation to generation and there are many products well worth buying. Some shops, like Capas Seseña, Sombrerería Medrano and Guitarras Ramírez, were established over a century ago and are part of the city’s history. Other artisans, like Javier Medina and the “environmentally-friendly trophies” he makes out of materials like bamboo, or Andrés Gallardo, who crafts necklaces and bracelets in his studio-shop in Barrio de las Letras (Literary Quarter), represent a new generation that is driving the “Made in Madrid” phenomenon.

Another great idea is to buy something from a business that specialises in making goods out of recycled materials. Shops like Ecoalf, which uses materials salvaged from the sea to make its designer clothes, or The Circular Project, which prioritises ecodesign, are examples of sustainable retailers.

Walking, breathing, discovering, savouring local food, buying authentic goods, having fun while minimising your carbon footprint... Madrid is a city that’s worth stopping to enjoy, extending your stay to make the most of it at a leisurely pace, at any time of year. Madrid has everything you need to enjoy your trip while caring for the planet!