There are no beaches in Madrid, but that doesn't stop you from kayaking and getting lost on the wildest paths in the region, where adventure and nature collide.

Away from the towers and congested streets of Madrid, you'll find settings where nature takes its course, and birdsong substitutes traffic noise. The landscapes of Madrid are breathtaking, from the highlands to the Tajo, from Lozoya to the Alberche, where the river channels flow freely, allowing life in the ecosystems to flourish.

Kayaking or canoe-kayaking in Madrid and its surroundings is a popular pastime due to the abundance of reservoirs, marshes, lakes, and rivers.

Where to rent or do a kayak excursion in Madrid?

- Kayaking on the river:

Some of the peninsula's most important rivers run through Madrid, making whitewater kayaking routes just a few kilometres from the city accessible.

• Tajo River: The Tajo River's trip through Madrid's province is quick but intense. On its way to the Atlantic coast, it passes through Aranjuez, where you can rent a kayak and sail one of the peninsula's most fascinating rivers.

You can select a path that will take you through the area's most natural landscapes while sailing along the edge of the large palace that presides over the town, situated on the river's banks.

• Alberche River: You may rent a kayak, either double or single, from Pelayos de la Presa and paddle down the Alberche River as it flows through Madrid. You might take a path towards Aldea del Fresno, where you will be escorted by the magnificent nature of the area.

You will cross the routes that cross the river until you reach the Picadas reservoir where you can stop to enjoy the beautiful views. Or you also have the option of embarking in the direction of the large reservoir of San Juan accompanying the river in its course.

• Jarama River: Located in the province's eastern region, this famous river features a course that passes through rural areas near the capital. This journey will take you along the Jarama River to see historic Madrid villages like Velilla de San Antonio and La Serna, as well as the Southeast Regional Park, a protected setting where a variety of wildlife including turtles, foxes, and herons coexist among the park's several lagoons.

- Kayaking in the reservoir:

• San Juan: The San Juan reservoir, often known as the reservoir by locals, is the crown jewel among Madrid's reservoirs. Every day, dozens of people come here to swim or participate in water sports. It offers spectacular vistas, thus kayak trips or kayak rentals are very typical.

You can cruise on the waters of the island's more than 14 kilometres of beaches, discovering hidden places where fauna and vegetation roam free. You'll come across spots that can only be reached by kayak. You'll float down the Muro beach, passing under the river bridge, through the remnants of the old Virgen de la Nueva hermitage, and see a variety of amphibians, birds, and fish.

• Lozoya Valley: Three of Madrid's most important reservoirs, bathed by the Lozoya River and nestled in the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama, is located in the interior of the Lozoya Valley, to the north of the capital. The valley is home to huge reservoirs, which supply water to the entire province and where getting lost in a kayak is one of the best ideas you can have.

• Atazar reservoir: The largest in the community, with kayaking routes lasting up to three hours and allowing you to lose yourself in the landscapes that surround the reservoir in the El Berrueco area.

• Puente Viejas reservoir: It is located near Buitrago de Lozoya and allows you to cruise along the walls that separate this historic town from the river until you reach the dam, passing by the Pinarcillo viewpoint, where you may pause to take in the views of this typical Madrid natural enclave.

• Pinilla Reservoir: It is possible to get on a kayak in this reservoir located a small distance from the town of Lozoya. Travel along the river, visit the town of Pinilla del Valle or the historical site hidden among the large blankets of pine trees that house archaeological and geological remains from the Pleistocene era.

- Kayaking in Madrid City:

• Casa de Campo: It may seem impossible, but just a few kilometres from Puerta del Sol, you can slip into a kayak. In the Casa de Campo, the capital's largest park, both single and two-seater kayaks are offered.

It has a large lake where you can go kayaking with the help of the club, which organizes various kayaking courses and routes along the community's rivers. This eight-hectare lake, the size of 16 football fields, is large enough to lose yourself in this experience and take in the sights of the city.

You may add value to your kayaking vacation by playing kayak polo, which combines the best of both sports in a game that is guaranteed to be exciting.

Paddling is more than conceivable in the province of Madrid, which has a large number of reservoirs and navigable rivers, making kayaking a popular sport. You have the option to explore the rural sections of the community, where the natural landscapes fade the capital's skyline into the background, whether on river kayaking routes or in reservoirs.