That the people of Madrid are somewhat intense about the water in their region may or may not be justified, but there is a reason that supports the quality of the water drunk in the capital: the 14 reservoirs of the Community of Madrid, which are also a fundamental part of the water recreation of the region.
These reservoirs are all artificial, hence they are not swamps, despite the fact that the names are often mistakenly interchanged. The bathing is only allowed on two of the beaches of the San Juan reservoir one of them has a blue flag, and not all of them are navigable, but touring their shores always refreshes mind and body.
1. San Juan Reservoir
You will rarely hear it referred to as a reservoir, although it is, the popular San Juan reservoir has every reason to be the most crowded beach in Madrid.
Just 50 km from the capital is the San Juan reservoir, a classic of Madrid summers and water sports. It has two main recreational zones: the Virgen de la Nueva beach, which has a blue flag, and El Muro.
You can practice all kinds of water sports, from sailing to kayaking. The canoe which can be rented on site, also allows you to reach the small coves that are otherwise not so accessible, and are perfect for resting your arms from rowing, eating away from the crowds and getting to know the reservoir well.
📍 71 kilometers from the center of Madrid
2. Picadas Reservoir
In the foothills of the Sierra de Gredos is the Picadas reservoir, 92 hectares that were raised above the Alberche River in 1952. It is, together with the adjacent San Juan reservoir, one of the most frequented during the summer, because, although this reservoir has no swimming area, is navigable.
It is a long, narrow reservoir where you can go on the Verde bike path and kayak tours. The best way to start the adventure either by land or water is in the parking area, where there are several companies that rent canoes.
📍 60 kilometers from the center of Madrid
3. Atazar Reservoir
The Atazar reservoir is the largest in the Community of Madrid, it alone represents 46% of the region’ s dammed water volume. It is located in the Sierra Norte, one hour from the capital. It is also known for its enormous size as ‘the sea of Madrid’.
It has been part of the Canal de Isabel II since its creation and is surrounded by the so-called Mancomunidad del Embalse del Atazar, which includes such distinguished towns as El Berrueco. The Riosequillo, Puentes Viejas and El Villar reservoirs also belong to this basin.
The landscape is especially attractive because of the lithography of the terrain composed of slate, which is commonly seen applied in the architecture of the Zone, as well as the oak and holm oak trees that complete the landscape. Being such a large reservoir, small boats are also allowed to enter here, even without a motor. The water route has the added attraction of being able to cross under the bridge of the El Villar Canal and watch the walls colonized by birds of prey from up close.
📍 76 kilometers from the center of Madrid
4. Valmayor Reservoir
The Valmayor reservoir is the second largest in the Community in terms of the amount of water stored and it is the Aulencia river that makes this possible. Water activities are allowed -although in the early 2000s they were banned due to alleged crocodile sightings and brought fame to the reservoir-, but there is no nautical club that carries out activities in the reservoir.
It is located in the northwest of the Community of Madrid, within the Regional Park of the Middle Course of the Guadarrama, covering the municipalities of: Valdemorillo, Galapagar, Colmenarejo and El Escorial. Two other smaller reservoirs are located in the same basin of the Guadarrama River: La Jarosa and Los Arroyos.
📍 40 kilometers from the center of Madrid
5. Santillana Reservoir
The Santillana reservoir is perhaps less well known than the previous ones and the only one on the list that belongs to the basin of the Manzanares River – yes, the same one that flows through the capital, from which the Navacerrada and El Pardo reservoirs also drink (which cannot be accessed), all of which have a large capacity.
It belongs to two municipalities: Manzanares el Real, the town that has one of the best preserved medieval castles in Madrid, and Soto del Real. The dam that creates this large artificial water reservoir was completed in 1907 with King Alfonso XIII laying the last stone and financed and operated by Joaquín de Arteaga y Echagüe, XVII Duke of Infantado, until 1967, when it became part of the Canal de Isabel II to supply water to the capital.
It was both a blessing and a curse for the area, as they lost the richest farmland in the area, and at the same time gained a waterfowl haven, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1993. This care of the area prevents it from being navigable or swimming allowed, but it is the ideal place to get started in ornithology and hiking.
📍 53 kilometers from the center of Madrid