Laid out over different historical periods and occupying 80% of the surface area of the castle, the gardens are terraced and pride of place is given to water features such as the Pool of Mercury and the gallery of Grotesques (17C), which take up an entire section of the old walls from where there is the best view over the site. Note also the Baths of María de Padilla, a huge vaulted “grotto” beneath the courtyard, plus the maze and English-style garden beyond the 16C pavilion of Charles V.