Discovering Aranjuez is much more special if you arrive at the Royal Site aboard one of the world’s longest-running tourist trains. Only the Strawberry Train (Tren de la Fresa in Spanish) takes you from Madrid to Aranjuez on a journey through time to the 1920s. While you enjoy the scenery with a theatrical performance in which you will learn not only the secrets of the train, but also some palace stories.
The journey
The Royal Site and Town of Aranjuez is a historic and cultural jewel of incalculable value. Declared a World Heritage Site in 2001 by UNESCO, it is a must-see for those who live in Madrid or come to the Spanish capital for sightseeing.
Undoubtedly, the most original and enriching way to discover the secrets of Aranjuez is on board the century-old Strawberry Train. A combination of culture, leisure and tourism.
The train departs from the old Delicias station, home to the former Madrid Railway Museum. It travels along the tracks of what was the first railway in Madrid, inaugurated in 1851 and which at the time reached as far as the Royal Palace of Aranjuez itself.
On board the passenger carriages you will travel back in time to the 1920s. The train combines third-class wooden carriages with a somewhat more modern second-class carriage from the 1950s.
During the tour you will enjoy an entertaining theatrical performance exclusive to the Strawberry Train full of history, culture and entertainment and a tasting of strawberries from Aranjuez.
The train
The Strawberry Train is made up of four wooden carriages known as “Costa”, which form the classic composition that has been running since 1985. Manufactured in the 1920s, they have wooden seats corresponding to 3rd class and have been completely restored during the year 2022.
In addition, the train includes a car of the 5000 series. Manufactured in the 1940s, it belongs to the first series of passenger carriages acquired by Renfe. It is second class and is divided into compartments with comfortable leather seats.
Lastly, the train includes two carriages whose access is only for the staff of the Fundación de los Ferrocarriles Españoles.
These same cars of the Strawberry Train also make the Christmas Train between the end of December and 5th January.
Strawberry Train Calendar 2026
The 2026 Strawberry Train season will run from 22 March to 8 November, except between 13 June and 27 September.
As every year, the train runs on Saturdays and Sundays during the season. In addition, to celebrate Good Friday and the first of May, it will run extraordinarily on both Fridays.
Days of circulation:
- March: 22, 28 and 29.
- April: 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26.
- May: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31.
- June: 6 and 7.
- October: 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31.
- November: 1, 7 and 8.
The train leaves Delicias station (Paseo de las Delicias 61, metro and suburban Delicias) at 10:00. It is necessary to be there in advance to be able to check in. It arrives in Aranjuez at 11:00, at which time the chosen activity begins.
The return journey starts at 18:38 at Aranjuez station and ends at 19:30 again at the Railway Museum.
The price of the ticket depends on the chosen itinerary. On all of them, children under 1 metre tall who do not occupy a seat travel free of charge. If they occupy a seat or are between 1 metre and 1.40 m tall, they pay the child fare.
Itineraries and prices
To make each trip unique, the Strawberry Train offers several routes for you to enjoy all the flavour of Aranjuez. Some of them are special and are only offered on specific days.
Royal Strawberries English Tour
Now the Strawberry Train, 100% in English!
The English Tour, like the Royal Strawberries itinerary, includes a guided visit to the Royal Palace of Aranjuez along with walking and bus tours of the monumental area and gardens of Aranjuez, as well as entrance to the museum of falúas.
- Adults: 53,00€.
- Children: 42,00€.
Royal Strawberries
The most traditional route of the Strawberry Train.
Guided tour of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez together with walking and bus tours of the monumental area and the gardens of Aranjuez, plus entrance to the museum of faluas.
- Adults: 49,00€.
- Children: 38,00€.
Strawberries with Cream*
A tour of Aranjuez on board the Chiquitrén tourist train on tyres, accompanied by a walking and bus tour of the monumental area and gardens.
- Adults: 43,00€.
- Children: 32,00€.
Natural Strawberries*
Free visit to Aranjuez.
- Adults: 32,00€.
- Children: 24,00€.
Tagus strawberries*
Special route. Only some days.
Tourist boat trip on the Tagus River plus a walking and bus tour of the monumental area and gardens.
- Adults: 49,00€.
- Children: 38,00€.
Cycling Strawberries*
Special route. Only on 26 April and 10 and 31 May.
The plan in Aranjuez is to take a guided cycling route on electric bikes through the orchards and groves of Aranjuez and guided walking tours through the historic gardens of El Parterre and La Isla.
- Adults: 60,00€.
- Children: 48,00€.
Strawberries with Music*
Special route. Only in autumn, date to be confirmed.
Walk through the Jardín del Parterre y de la Isla and concert in the Chapel of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, Concentus Köning. Choir & Ensemble conducted by Jorge Suárez. The concert is part of the XXXI Festival de Música Antigua de Aranjuez.
- Adults: 49,00€.
- Children: 38,00€.
Strawberries from the Huerta*
Special route. Only on 2, 3, 9 and 10 May.
Guided visit to the Centro de Interpretación de la Huerta de Aranjuez, strawberry picking and tasting and guided walking tours of the historic gardens of El Parterre and La Isla.
- Adults: 60,00€.
- Children: 48,00€.
Nata del Tajo combined route*
A mix between Fresas con Nata and Fresas del Tajo with which you will enjoy the streets and gardens of Aranjuez on board the Chiquitrén and the tourist boat tour.
- Adults: 56,00€.
- Children: 43,00€.
Nata Real Combined Route*
This option allows you to enjoy a ride on the Chiquitrén and a visit to the Royal Palace.
- Adults: 56,00€.
- Children: 43,00€.
Tajo Real combined route*
Finally, this option combines the sightseeing boat trip with a visit to the Royal Palace.
- Adults: 60,00€.
- Children: 48,00€.
* Only available in Spanish.
Buy tickets
To enjoy this unique experience you must buy tickets through the official website of the Strawberry Train. They can also be purchased at the ticket office of the Madrid Railway Museum from Monday to Friday from 11:30 to 14:30.
History of the Strawberry Train
The Strawberry Train as a tourist train began its history in 1984, with the initiative to recall and recreate the route and experience of the old Madrid-Aranjuez railway, inaugurated in 1851. Since then, it has functioned as a unique cultural and leisure experience during spring and autumn weekends.
This tourist train uses historic wooden carriages, more than a century old. The journey starts at the old Madrid-Delicias station, now home to the Madrid Railway Museum, and arrives at Aranjuez, a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape site. During the journey, staff in period costume recreate the way people travelled in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, offering an authentic historical immersion.
In addition to enjoying the scenery and the history of the railway, passengers can taste strawberries and typical products of Aranjuez, getting closer to the origin of the train’s name. On arrival in Aranjuez, guided visits to emblematic places such as the Royal Palace and the Falúas Museum are included, making this trip a complete cultural and tourist experience.
The Strawberry Train has transported more than 185,000 visitors since its inception as a tourist train, and continues to be an ideal proposal for those who wish to enjoy the history of Spain through its railways, combining leisure, culture and heritage. Its implementation is a joint effort by the Fundación de los Ferrocarriles Españoles, the Community of Madrid, the Aranjuez Town Council and National Heritage, consolidating it as an example of cultural tourism in Spain.
History of the Madrid-Aranjuez Railway
The Madrid-Aranjuez railway has a very significant history as one of the first and most emblematic railway projects in Spain. It was officially inaugurated on February 9th 1851, becoming the second railway line in the Iberian Peninsula after the Barcelona-Mataro and the first railway to connect the Spanish capital with another city. So many years later it is still being used by local trains and the Strawberry Train!
Promoted by the Marquis of Salamanca, this project was born with the idea of linking Madrid with the south and the Mediterranean, initially connecting Madrid with Aranjuez, an important agricultural and royal enclave. Queen Isabel II presided over the inauguration, which was a public and festive event with more than a thousand guests, and an inaugural journey that took just over 50 minutes to cover the 49 kilometres that separate the two cities.
The construction of the line overcame major geographical obstacles, including the building of bridges over the Jarama and Tajo rivers. For its time, the railway represented a remarkable technological and social advance, facilitating the transport of passengers and agricultural products such as strawberries, which gave its name to the famous Strawberry Train.
This railway not only improved communication and transport, but also boosted economic and social development by providing a fast and safe means of travel. The original line was the axis for later extensions until it reached the Mediterranean, and its layout is largely preserved to this day, serving also for the tourist train that recreates this history.
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