Retiro Park★★★
Parque del Buen Retiro, 28009 Madrid
April–Sept.: 6:00–0:00 Uhr. Okt.–März: 6:00–22:00 Uhr.
Eintritt frei. Ruderboote 6 €/45 Min.
The Parque del Buen Retiro is Madrid's green soul — 125 hectares in the middle of the city, since 2021 together with the Paseo del Prado a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally laid out in the 17th century as a royal pleasure garden, the park was opened to the public in 1868 and has since been the place where Madrileños soak up the sun, jog, row, read, kiss, and spend Sundays with family.
The Highlights
- Estanque Grande — The large lake with the monument to Alfonso XII. Rent rowboats (€6 for 45 min.) and glide across the lake — a classic.
- Palacio de Cristal ★★★ — The glass palace (1887, inspired by the Crystal Palace in London) on the shore of a small lake is one of Madrid's most beautiful buildings. Free temporary exhibitions of the Museo Reina Sofía inside. Magical in sunlight.
- Palacio de Velázquez — Another exhibition space of the Reina Sofía, surrounded by gardens. Free.
- Rosaleda (Rose Garden) — Over 4,000 rose bushes, most beautiful in May/June.
- Paseo de las Estatuas — The promenade with statues of Spanish monarchs, originally created for the Royal Palace but too heavy for the roof.
- El Ángel Caído — The world's only public statue depicting Lucifer (the fallen angel). Fittingly stands at exactly 666 meters above sea level.
💡 Tipp
On weekends, the Retiro is full of street performers, fortune tellers, and puppeteers — especially around the Estanque Grande. Musicians often perform at the bandstand stage on Sundays at 12:00 p.m. Combine the Retiro with the Prado: museum in the morning, park in the afternoon — they are right next to each other.