Established in the 1970s as a planned community, Tres Cantos is an attractive commuter town north of Madrid. It centres around an extensive park surrounded by residential streets, shopping centres and pedestrian-friendly public spaces, as well as the Spanish headquarters of several international companies.
Things to do in Tres Cantos
Sprawling across 45 hectares is Parque Central, which is an important recreational space and green lung for Tres Cantos. In addition to a children’s playground, a petanque court and leafy walking trails, it features 12 themed gardens where roses, palms and aromatic plant species are showcased. Cultural festivals, concerts and markets are regularly held at the Plaza de la Familia.
For a retail fix, head to the Centro Commercial Tres Cantos, where you’ll find a variety of retail stores and a supermarket, plus casual eateries such as Foster’s Hollywood and Empanadas Malvon. You can shop for clothing at Pilar Prieto and Lenceria Mavy, browse the sportswear at Decimas or watch the latest films at the Odeón Multicines Tres Cantos.
If you’re an animal lover, visit the Amigos del Burro - Burrolandia, an animal park that focuses on the humble donkey. It not only provides a sanctuary for rescued donkeys but is an educational space for learning about their behaviour and the role they have played in Spanish agriculture. In addition to hand-feeding the animals, you can get up close to traditional farm equipment such as plows and carts.
Getting around Tres Cantos
Tres Cantos is a 30-minute drive from the centre of Madrid and just 20 minutes from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Tres Cantos railway station and buses travel throughout the municipality. The centre of Tres Canton is compact enough to explore on foot.