Retiro

Madrid’s great park

Madrid

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The vibe

Shady paths, a lake for rowing, the Crystal Palace and a rose garden: Retiro Park is Madrid’s garden. Around it, the Paseo del Prado lines up the great museums and the Salamanca district its elegant shops.

Good to know

Rent a rowing boat on the big lake, facing the Alfonso XII monument: it’s a Madrid tradition.

When to go

Sunday morning, when Madrid families come for a stroll.

Getting there

Metro to Retiro (Line 2) or Atocha (Line 1).

The story

How the neighbourhood came to be

Laid out in the 1630s as a royal retreat for King Philip IV, the “Buen Retiro” opened to the public in 1868. The Crystal Palace was built there in 1887 for an exhibition. Together with the Paseo del Prado, the park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021.

Did you know?

1The Fountain of the Fallen Angel in Retiro is one of the few public statues of the devil.
2The Crystal Palace hosts contemporary art exhibitions from the Reina Sofía museum.

Want to explore further?

See on the map Plan a day