El Bosque Encantado

El Bosque Encantado, or The Enchanted Forest, is a remarkable botanical garden and outdoor park located in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, 75 kilometers west of Madrid in the Madrid Community. Considered the first botanical garden of its kind in Europe, the park is home to more than 500 plant species from around the world, along with over 300 living sculptures — carefully shaped from shrubs and trees by European topiary artists. Visitors can explore themed walking routes including the Cactus Route, Jungle Route, and Arts Route, discovering a maze, a stunning waterfall, bonsai collections, aromatic plants, and mineral displays along the way. After dark in summer, the garden is illuminated by millions of colored lights, transforming the topiary sculptures into a magical nighttime spectacle. Free parking, a bar with terraces, and pet-friendly access round out the visitor experience.