The Retiro Park is, without a doubt, one of the most loved and visited places in the city of Madrid, both by locals and travellers. It is an impressive natural space located right in the centre of the city, being the ideal spot for locals to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and relax under the shade of the trees.
At 118 hectares, this park will become one of your favourite spots in the city, due to the amount of places, monuments and activities to do. You can spend a day with friends, alone or with your family while you discover all the secrets of Madrid’s green lung.
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History of the Retiro Park
The Retiro Park, also officially known as the Jardines del Buen Retiro, is the largest green space located in the centre of Madrid. It dates back to the 18th century, during the time of Philip IV, when it was Royal gardens.
In this park you can find features that date back to the reign of Fernando VII; among them, you can find places such as the Artificial Mountain or the Real Embarcadero. In 1868 it went from being Royal Gardens to a park belonging to the municipal heritage, opening its doors to the people of Madrid.
Little by little more symbolic places were added to this park, starting with the famous Palacio de Cristal or the Palacio de Velázquez, both of which were built throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. They were built with the aim of holding international exhibitions in the park.
After the terrorist attack of 11 March 2004, a place dedicated to all the victims of that event was added to the park: the magical Forest of Remembrance. Don’t miss any of the hidden corners of this Madrid park.
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What to see in Retiro Park Madrid?
Jardines del Parterre
The Jardines del Parterre is a large space created as a result of a reform that took place in the 18th century. You can find these gardens on the southwest side of the pond, and enjoy a pleasant stroll around its peculiar structure.
These gardens are especially famous for having a characteristic French style, being the only one of its kind in the entire Retiro Park. It has a symmetrical structure with cypress trees, hedges and stretches of walkway. In this garden you will find the famous monument dedicated to Jacinto Benavente.
Palacio de Cristal
The Palacio de Cristal is probably the busiest spot in the Retiro Park. It is located very close to the Palacio de Velázquez, just in front of the small pond. This palace was built at the end of the 19th century, made with a characteristic metallic architecture.
You can go inside and admire its impressive design, as well as its huge windows through which the sunlight filters, creating a magical atmosphere. The palace is divided into three spaces, with a 23-metre high dome in the centre. From time to time, different works of art are exhibited in the palace, which is not to be missed!
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Paseo de las Estatuas
The Paseo de las Estatuas is one of the most famous walks in Madrid’s Retiro Park. It starts on the west bank of the pond, and will take you to the famous Puerta de España, at the other end of the park.
Along this walk, you will see the different statues representing the Spanish kings. The initial idea for these statues was to place them on the roof of the Royal Palace. You can enjoy a pleasant stroll among trees and colourful flowers while learning a little more about the history of Spain.
Fountain of the Fallen Angel
The Fountain of the Fallen Angel is one of the most important things to see in the Retiro Park. It is considered the most symbolic fountain in the entire park, and its statue is dedicated to the demon Lucifer.
This fountain was installed in 1995 and is currently one of the main plazas in the park. The most curious fact about this fountain is that it is 666 metres above sea level in Alicante, the number that is related to the devil. Don’t forget to take a picture of this very interesting fountain.
Palacio de Velázquez
The Palacio de Velázquez is a beautiful building made of bricks and tiles, and a true architectural wonder. Its name comes from its architect, Ricardo Velázquez Bosco, who also designed the Palacio de Cristal.
Inside this palace you can enjoy numerous exhibitions, usually organised by the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. It is the perfect weekend afternoon plan, and you can visit it either alone or with family or friends. You’ll have a great time!
Cecilio Rodríguez Rose Garden
The Rose Garden of Cecilio Rodríguez, also known as the Retiro Rose Garden, is a garden dedicated to the man who was once the park’s Master Gardener. It dates back to 1915, having been inspired by the French gardens found in Paris.
In this garden you can see a plantation of more than 4,000 rose bushes, which together create a real visual spectacle. The roses surround a beautiful fountain, and the garden is surrounded by cypress trees that give the place a pure and natural feel.
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What to see around El Retiro Park Madrid?
The Prado Museum
One of the first places we recommend visiting after finishing your visit to the Retiro Park is the Prado Museum. Located just 15 minutes away from the park, you can discover some of the most beautiful and interesting exhibitions and art galleries in Madrid. It’s the ideal plan to do during the week, especially if it’s a rainy day.
Puerta de Alcalá
The Puerta de Alcalá is located in the roundabout of the Plaza de la Independencia, and is one of the most significant monuments of the city of Madrid. In addition to being a true architectural wonder, this structure is surrounded by a garden of yellow flowers, making it an ideal place to take a photo of.
Palacio de Cibeles
The Palacio de Cibeles is one of the most significant things to see in Madrid. It is an impressive structure with a typical modern style, despite having been built in the 20th century.
It is one of the favourite subjects for photography lovers, especially at night thanks to the beautiful lighting. You can also climb up to the lookout point and enjoy spectacular views of the city of Madrid.
What to do in the Retiro Park Madrid?
Boat trip on the Retiro Pond
Taking a boat ride on the Retiro Pond is, without a doubt, one of the favourite things to do among locals and travellers alike. You can enjoy a pleasant boat ride with your friends or partner while you admire the park from a different perspective. You can also get up close and personal with the ducks on the pond.
Enjoy a concert at the Templete de Música
One of the best things to do in the Retiro Park is to go to one of the concerts in the Templete de la Música, which take place every Sunday morning during the spring and autumn seasons. These musical performances are usually given by the Municipal Symphonic Band, which is the ideal activity on a sunny day!
Picnic in the Retiro Park Madrid
Another of the best things to do when visiting the Retiro Park is to have a picnic in one of its gardens. Thanks to all the wide green spaces that this park offers, as well as its many wooded areas, you can enjoy a good meal or snack while making the most of the tranquillity of the park. It is the ideal plan if you have little ones.
How to plan your visit to the Retiro Park?
Download the Passporter app:
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Save important information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
- Save your tickets and reservations.
- Organise your route on Google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other that you indicate.
- Find out the best travel option for each place.
- Save and publish your own photos and experiences as you go along, so that when someone asks you “How was your visit to the Retiro Park?” you can reply “Visit my traveller profile on Passporter!”
Finally, if you want to learn more about how to get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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