VISIT THE RETIRO PARK

A former royal estate
Created in the 17th century under Philip IV as a court leisure garden, the Retiro became a public park in the 19th century. With its 125 hectares and more than 15,000 trees, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Paseo del Prado.

Why visit?
It's the ideal place for a stroll or a moment of relaxation in the heart of the city. The park's charm lies in its tree-lined avenues, its large pool with rowing boats, its emblematic monuments such as the Palacio de Cristal and the Palacio de Velázquez, as well as its themed gardens (perennial garden, rose garden, flowerbeds).

A brief history and anecdotes
The park was originally part of a vast palace complex that no longer exists. Fun fact: the Monument to Alfonso XII, with its colonnade facing the pool, is one of Madrid's most photographed landmarks. Every year, the Madrid Book Fair takes place in its alleys.

What can you do there?
- Hire a boat on the Grand Bassin (Estanque Grande)
- Admire the Crystal Palace, a 19th-century glass jewel
- Visit the Palacio de Velázquez and its temporary exhibitions
- Discover the Monument to Alfonso XII and enjoy the panoramic view
- Relax in the gardens of the Rose Garden or the Parterre
- Attend street performances and improvised concerts

Where is it?
📍 Plaza de la Independencia, 7, 28001 Madrid, Spain
👉 See on Google Maps

Practical advice
- Admission is free and open every day
- Opening times: 6am to midnight in summer, until 10pm in winter
- Accessible by metro (Retiro, Ibiza, Atocha stations)
- Ideal to visit in spring and autumn
- Allow plenty of time: the park is vast and full of charming nooks and crannies

To discover around
- Puerta de Alcalá (at the main entrance to the park)
- Prado Museum
- Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
- CaixaForum Madrid

Audioguide
🎧 Listen to our immersive description of Retiro Park on History Guide City Madrid !
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