February’s spring-like weather favors the flowering of almond trees in the capital. Last weekend we saw entire families picnicking in the sun at the Quinta de los Molinos, enjoying a landscape that could well be a Hokusai print, or a Monet painting.
In addition to the Quinta, other natural environments in Madrid boast flowering trees, which form ephemeral landscapesduring the change of season. To visit some of them it is not necessary to leave the center.
The Quinta de los Molinos
The reference site to see the almond trees in all their splendor is the Quinta de los Molinos. It has more than 1,800 specimens of two types: Largueta (early flowering) and Marcona (medium-early flowering).
Its incredible field of flowering trees occupies a good part of the agricultural area of the park, where we also see typical species of the Mediterranean landscape, such as fig, olive and pine trees.
The Retiro
El Retiro has a truly unique botanical variety. In the area known as the Huerto del Francés ( Paseo Fernán Núñez), which covers 118 hectares, there are 300 almond trees that are already showing off their white petals with pinkish hues.
Casa de Campo
Casa de Campo is the ideal place to disconnect from the constant stimuli of the city and stroll surrounded by nature. Its almond trees can be found along a four-kilometer botanical path that runs from the Lago metro stop to Puerta del Zarzón.
Royal Botanical Garden
Although almond trees are not the most prominent trees in its collection, it is worth entering the Botanical Garden when spring arrives and getting to know the more than 5,000 species of plants it houses.