Sabatini Gardens

The Sabatini Gardens are formal 20th-century terraces and gardens on the north side of the Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain, created on the site of former royal service buildings. The gardens are named after the 18th-century architect Francesco Sabatini and lie immediately north of the palace.

The layout features clipped hedges, symmetrical flowerbeds, a central reflecting pool and decorative statuary arranged on successive terraces. The upper terraces provide framed views of the palace facade and of the adjacent Almudena Cathedral, making the gardens a frequent short-stop for visitors to the royal precinct.

The gardens were established in the early 20th century as a formal public space linked to the palace complex and have been managed as municipal gardens since their creation. They function as an urban green space in the centre of Madrid and are freely accessible.

Sabatini Gardens sit beside the Royal Palace in the western part of Madrid’s central district, close to the Plaza de Oriente and accessible on foot from central transport hubs.

• Origins: Laid out in the 20th century on the former royal stables site and named after the 18th-century architect Francesco Sabatini, the gardens are adjacent to the Royal Palace and open to the public.
• Best time to visit: Popular for short walks and photography at golden hour when the façades of the palace and cathedral are highlighted from the terraces.

What to See #

• Terraced gardens and central pond: A sequence of formal terraces and axial lawns directly north of the Royal Palace that step down toward the city; these terraces contain fountains, clipped hedges and statuary.
• Upper terrace viewpoint: An upper promenade and viewpoint offering framed vistas of the Royal Palace facade and the adjacent Almudena Cathedral.