In 1559, the Casa de Campo , which is comprised of 1,200 woodland hectares, used to be a game park for the royals under Felipe II.
However, in 1931, it was offered to the Madrid people and was developed into a site for leisure expeditions.
Considered as Europe s largest open space, the Casa de Campo is located at the western end of Madrid .
The park offers numerous recreational and sports amenities such as swimming baths, the tennis courts and the El Largo - an artificial lake where canoes and rowboats could be rented for sailing.
The Casa de Campo is also the location of Madrid s Parque Zoologico or zoo. Its management maintains approximately 150 different kinds of animals.
Another highlight is the Parque de Atracciones . It is an enjoyable fair with more than 40 leisure rides and a cable car or teleferico, which is located at the corner of Calle del Marquees de Urquijo and runs throughout the West Park.
This worthwhile leisure area can be visited by means of the metro station. Simply get off at Batan or Lago stations.
