Retiro Park: reviews, price and practical tips

+21
recos
4.7/5 7 reviews
Entre les rues Alfonso XII et Menendez Pelayo, Madrid, Spain
Entre les rues Alfonso XII et Menendez Pelayo, Madrid, Spain
Segway tour from $32*
Booking recommended
Book now
Lago de Retiro
Monumento a Alfonso XII
Fuente de Retiro

Visiting Retiro Park

The largest garden in Madrid

Located in the heart of Madrid, Retiro Park serves as the primary green space for the Spanish capital. It is a quiet refuge and a favorite spot for locals and visitors to exercise or relax, featuring 15,000 trees, including one specimen believed to be 400 years old. Its 125 hectares offer a wide range of activities year-round, from jogging and cycling to rollerblading and rowing on the lake.

The park is a hit with families thanks to its numerous playgrounds. Street performers, puppeteers, musicians, and fortune tellers contribute to the lively, festive atmosphere that defines the space.

A park with deep roots

Its full name, Parque del Buen Retiro, or Park of the Pleasant Retreat, was originally the private garden for the secondary residence of King Philip IV. Developed between 1630 and 1640, the grounds featured several ponds and served as a stage for royal spectacles. Opened to the public in 1868, the park grew to include a multitude of sculptures, fountains, a rose garden, and the stunning Crystal Palace, a masterpiece of wrought iron and glass.

Enter through the Puerta de Alcala (Alcala Gate) before heading to the water to rent a rowboat on the large central pond. The perspective from the water is worth the effort. Afterward, wander the wooded paths and be sure to walk along the promenade of statues. Check out the rotating exhibitions at the Velazquez Palace and the Crystal Palace. Grab a picnic from one of the park cafes or stop for a cold drink before finding a spot on the grass.

In mid-May, keep an eye out for the romeria, an outdoor festival held in honor of the city patron San Isidro. You will see parades in traditional costumes, fireworks, and folk dancing. Local specialties served for the occasion include rosquillas, which are dry pastries, paired with limonada. In June, the park also hosts the city book fair.

Segway tour from $32*Booking recommended
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Opening hours

Hours: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM from October to March and 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM from April to September
Hours are indicative and subject to change

*Information subject to change

Reviews of Retiro Park

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Summary of 7 reviews
4.7/5
Average rating
+21
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
5
As a couple
4.9
With friends
4.6

Avygeo ranking

#148
in the world
#138
in Europe
#16
in Spain
#3
in Madrid

A breath of fresh air

When it is really hot out, this huge park offers a very soothing stroll. I spent several hours there and still did not see it all. The place is clean, very well laid out, and features pretty views with its lake and fountains. It also houses magnificent buildings, especially the monument to Alfonso XII and the Crystal Palace.

You can go rowing, but I did not have the time. Whether you want to enjoy the quiet or just explore this splendid site, do not miss it.

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Nature walk in the city

Not far from Madrid's big museum district, it feels so good to find a little patch of nature!
Here, centuries-old trees alternate with fountains, lawns, statues, and old monuments.
I loved enjoying the welcome shade in the summer, as the temperatures here are naturally milder.
I was able to rent a bike and ride around the park on two wheels, total bliss!

2
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The city center's lungs

Great park right in the center of Madrid, with nice green spaces, a big pond, statues, and a large glass palace. Surprisingly large despite its central location in the Spanish capital.

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Really pretty city park

Between the ponds, statues, flower beds, and the glass palace, you have a very pretty urban park in the heart of Madrid. It is ideal for getting some fresh air before or after visiting museums, for example.

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Peace and quiet

A magnificent park, the most beautiful in the city, without a doubt. It is already 400 years old but doesn't look it. Superbly well-maintained, very clean, and a walk through it is a real pleasure in the beautiful sunshine. A lovely pond, beautiful statues, and the Velázquez and Crystal palaces will keep you there for the whole day.

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A huge and peaceful park

This park is huge. I don't think I even managed to walk around the whole thing in 2 hours... Lakes, beautiful buildings, English style gardens, French style gardens, a stunning glass house... I loved it. This place, so peaceful in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the capital, has everything going for it for a nice sunny afternoon.

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A peaceful haven in Madrid

If you know Madrid, you know it is a city that never stops. There is always something to see, something to drink, something to taste... but in this noisy and bustling city you will find the Retiro Park, a true haven of peace right in the city center, just behind the Puerta de Alcalá.

Don't miss the pond and the Monument to Alfonso XII.

1
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