With its approximately 120 hectares, and over 15,000 trees, the Jardin de el Buen Retiro represent a real green oasis in the center. The clearest example of sustainability… in the 16th century!
Defining El Retiro, a simple park is at least an understatement; you really find everything. Furthermore, the park is really well maintained and cared for. You will be truly enchanted. After all, a holiday in Madrid certainly cannot be defined as complete without having passed through here.

An ideal place if you are with your children, thanks to the many activities and games scattered throughout the area. An extraordinary invitation to their curiosity. We are sure they will love it.

The park is truly immense: it is impossible to visit it in a few hours. You will find splendid and large tree-lined avenues; squares; fountains; colonnades; immense trees; rose gardens. And, again, a playground, monuments and a splendid lake! There are also several bars scattered throughout the park, and refreshment points where you can refresh yourself. If you have the chance, take the bikes.

The park is very popular with both visitors and people from Madrid, who are often walking or playing sports. It is also an extraordinary venue for events and entertainment. In May, the traditional fireworks display of the Feast of San Isidro takes place right here. One of the most anticipated moments of the whole event!

Landscape of Light is the project thanks to which nature, culture and science coexist in an urban environment, through the Prado Museum and the Parque Buen Retiro. A “Paseo” that was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2021.

PRACTICAL INFO

HOW TO GET

The El Retiro Park is located, as mentioned, in the center, not far from the Prado Museum and the Reina Sofia National Museum. In this case, Estación del Arte and Atocha are the closest stops on the M1 Metro. North of the Museum, however, is the Retiro stop of Metro line 2, on Puerta de Alcalá. With the M9 line, you go down to Ibiza and enter from the east side of the park, right where the Infantil Area is located.

WHAT TO SEE AT PARK EL RETIRO

Coming from the Museo Nacional Reina Sofia, you can start the visit of the park from the South area. This is perhaps the most characteristic and interesting part of this wonderful park. The Estatua del Ángel Caído, located along the Paseo of the same name, is the first monument along your path. It is a very particular statue… Made in 1874, it represents Lucifer in the moment of his fall from heaven! For the more curious, only in Santa Cruz de Tenerife there is another monument in the world dedicated to the devil !!

After the statue, you will find yourself in front of La Rosaleda, a splendid garden in the garden. A rose garden and a marvel of floral art that finds its maximum splendor in spring. Very beautifull! To the west, the elegant and refined Pabellón de los Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez; to the north, the Palacio de Cristal, (photo above) that is the Exhibition Palace, from 1887. Recovered in the 1970s, it is considered the symbol of the Retiro. At the foot an artificial lake from which cypresses sprout; along the adjacent path there is a small waterfall. To the north, the Palacio de Velázquez, built by the architect of the same name between 1881 and 1883; made of bricks with a covering of iron arches, it houses temporary exhibitions of the Reina Sofia. La Fuente de Alacachofa, is an 18th century fountain; it is so called (Artichoke) as in the upper part some children are represented under a large artichoke.

Beyond the fountain, there is the Estanque grande del Retiro, a beautiful and very popular lake. You also have the opportunity to take a ride on the rowing boats for a few euros; it’s really nice and relaxing. It is located at the foot of the Monumento Alfono XII, a sculptor complex or 30 meters high, 86 meters long and 58 meters wide; it is composed of a large marble colonnade with numerous sculptures surrounding the bronze statue of the king.

On the east side of the park is the Infantil Area, a large area dedicated to children with rides, slides and swings.