Hipódromo de la Zarzuela — Attraction in Madrid

It depends what you are looking for.

If you want a nice day out sitting in the sun with some nice food and drinks then you have everything you need. On the other hand if that is the case there are plenty of other (and better) options for that in Madrid that are cheaper and easier to get to.

If you are there because you want to have a bet on the horses, you will find the set-up to be extremely basic and unprofessional compared to what you are used to if you have been to racing elsewhere in Europe. There is no transparency at all with the odds and an extreme lack of information sources. The races are not covered by external bookmakers so you have no way of checking odds and the prices and swing hugely - but you just have to take their word for it. You can only bet in cash, in person at the tills but be very careful, the technology is poor and mistakes are made. Check carefully that the slip you are given corresponds to the bet you wanted. For example, on a recent visit, a friend of mine put a bet for the next race. His horse won but when he went to cash it in he was told that his bet had randomly been put on a different race. They said it was down to a computer error but did not seem too bothered and just shrugged their shoulders when he tried to complain - the message was basically tough luck.

A few months ago they had over-watered the track leading to some fallers and so switched the races to the sand track from grass without warning, totally undermining and research people may have done.

Again, this is a nice place to pass a few hours but i´m afraid is is not a serious horse...

It's really good but...( Sunday races) Have to say the coverage of each race is appalling. The commentator sounds like he's just eaten a mouthful of paella and simply can't be understood because the sound system is so poor. And the camera work at best is - basic. No close-ups, no idea who is in the lead until they run in front of the stand. If there is a photo finish even less of an idea who has won as it is Impossible to read the board with the results as well, subsequently everyone runs inside after the race to watch in again on the TV to see who has actually won!.Very amateur.

However we still come here all the time. The facilities are lovely , and it is a fun day out with friends and family especially if the sun is shining with pony rides and bouncy castles for the kids and food trucks ( burgers, hotdogs, crepes, paella, bocadillos served). It's a great way to spend Sunday before lunch and I'd definitely recommend it to visitors and it's close to madrid. I'd definitely recommend it but I wish they'd sort out the race coverage . Bring binoculars if you like to watch the race. Get there early if you want a table to sit to for lunch. There's loads of grass to...

Fuimos el sábado 22 de julio con entrada comprada en Fever que te permite entrar a partir de las 22.30, con una consumición, música en directo y acceso a las 2 últimas carreras. En general la experiencía es positiva, buen ambiente en general y temperatura fresca que se agradece. Esta bien para pasar un rato y hacer algo diferente. Por eso le pongo 5 estrellas

Los contras: no entiendo la diferencia de comprar la entrada en Fever o la general...mismo precio 15 euros y con la general entras antes al recinto. Entiendo que la diferencia es que Fever incluye la consumición y que entras mas tarde.... si es asi pues prefiero pagar la bebida (ojo que te tienen que dar un ticket al validar la entrada...sino los bares te harán pagar la bebida aunque la hayas pagado con la entrada fever..). En la web del hipódromo yo al menos no he sido capaz de ver cual es la diferencia..asi que señores del hipódromo pues un poco de claridad en la web se agradece.

Que más....

las colas de gente para pedir comida en los food tracks y en las barras de bar para las bebidas...tened en cuenta que si...que hay que esperar ambas filas.....cosa lógica cuando hay varios miles de personas en el recinto.

Igual para comprar agua unas máquinas de vending ayudaría a reducir las esperas... y así que los camareros dediquen el tiempo a otras cosas

La comida no está mal aunque como dicen otros no es barata y al final te la comes de pie pues el que pilla mesa y sillas no las sueltan.... Hay food tracks que sirven hamburguesas y similares. Nosotros nos cenamos unos perritos calientes muy ricos con cebolla seca y no se que mas...y de buen tamaño por 7 euros cada uno y la bebida la que viene con la entrada..

Y el parking: bien, grande y de arena....y recomendable llegar con tiempo pues hay atasco en el desvio de la A6 para el acceso más el tiempo para buscar una plaza libre.

Aún así bien en general experiencia diferente para ir una o 2 veces y vivirlo por ti mismo aunque se hace corto entrando a las 22.30 y como todos.....hacer unas apuestas a los caballos sin tener ni idea...con suerte no pierdes lo apostado en una carrera de 2 minutos, comida aceptable, mucha gente y música en directo.

Finalmente ojo con el coche y beber alcohol pues mencionaban que suele haber controles a la salida. Yo no los vi...pero...