El Retiro Park

El Retiro Park
Choose two or more items and save on your trip:
Relax by the pond, walk through landscaped gardens, and admire the elegant statues and buildings in one of Madrid’s biggest and most popular parks.

El Retiro (El Parque de Retiro) is one of Madrid’s favorite parks and occupies nearly 350 acres (140 hectares) of land in the city center. It was once a royal retreat and the site of a large palace, but was opened to the public in the 1860s. There are statues and monuments all throughout the park, as well as two ponds, art galleries and fountains. It’s a popular retreat for Sunday afternoon picnics and you’ll notice street performers plying their trade in the busiest areas. Wander among the trees and flowerbeds there are both landscaped gardens as well as wilder, more natural areas. Walk through the Rosaleda del Retiro to see a colorful display of roses. The Forest of Remembrance is dedicated to the victims of the 2004 terrorist attacks in Madrid. Stroll down the Paseo de la Argentina to see statues once inside the Royal Palace or head over to the Retiro Pond to gaze up at the monument to King Alfonso XII. The semi-circular colonnade is surrounded by allegorical statues with the king mounted on horseback in the center. Keep exploring the park to find more statues, gardens and fountains. Rent out a boat to paddle around the pond and then move on to the neoclassical Palacio de Velázquez or the Palacio de Cristal for an art exhibition. Walk through a garden of trimmed hedges up to the Casón del Buen Retiro, one of the only remaining buildings from the 17th-century palace that stood in the park. It was once a ballroom but today houses the Prado Museum’s study center.El Retiro is in central Madrid, only a short walk from the Paseo del Prado and the Plaza de Cibeles. The main entrance is right next to the Puerta de Alcalá, but the park is also accessible from the Retiro, Principe de Vergara, Ibiza and Atocha metro stations. The park is open daily, hours vary according to the season, so check ahead before your visit.

Hotel Regina
Hotel Atlantico Madrid
Petit Hostel Palacio Real
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Reviews of El Retiro Park

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
321
" "5 - Excellent 69.3304535637149%
4 - Good
130
" "4 - Good 28.077753779697623%
3 - Okay
8
" "3 - Okay 1.7278617710583153%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 0.4319654427645788%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 0.4319654427645788%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
20 Jan 2020

Lovely park with lots to see

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
1 Nov 2019

Great fun on the boating lake and ebikes tour to see all lovely area.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
18 Oct 2019

Great for people watching and a lovely walk.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
12 Oct 2019

Wonderful, especially on a sunny day! A look at the Palacio de Cristal is a must.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Aug 2019

Do a bike tour that includes retiro Park

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
16 Jun 2019

A must see. We loved it here. Great for watching the world go by.

Popular places to visit


Top Hotel Deals

Agumar Hotel
Agumar Hotel
4 out of 5
Paseo Reina Cristina 7, Madrid, Madrid
Agumar Hotel
Hotel Emperador
Hotel Emperador
4 out of 5
Gran Via 53, Madrid, Madrid
Hotel Emperador
Hotel Riu Plaza España
Hotel Riu Plaza España
4 out of 5
C/ Gran Via, 84, Madrid
Hotel Riu Plaza España
SLEEP’N Atocha – B Corp Certified
SLEEP’N Atocha – B Corp Certified
2 out of 5
Calle Doctor Drumen, 4, Madrid, Madrid
SLEEP’N Atocha – B Corp Certified
Only YOU Hotel Atocha
Only YOU Hotel Atocha
4 out of 5
Paseo Infanta Isabel 13, Atocha, Madrid
Only YOU Hotel Atocha
Hard Rock Hotel Madrid
Hard Rock Hotel Madrid
4.5 out of 5
Ronda de Atocha 17, Madrid
Hard Rock Hotel Madrid
Hotel Regina
Hotel Regina
4 out of 5
Alcala 19, Madrid, Madrid
Hotel Regina
Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid
Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid
5 out of 5
Velazquez 8, Madrid, Madrid
Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid
Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII
Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII
4 out of 5
Calle Alfonso XII, 18, Madrid, Madrid
Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.