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Parque del Retiro

Parks ·Madrid
4.8273K
#1Parks in Spain#1Parks in MadridMost reviewed in Madrid
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About

Parque del Retiro is a historic public garden on the eastern edge of central Madrid, in the Retiro district, near Puerta de Alcalá and Museo del Prado.

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Parque del Retiro

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What's on here

RUNNING deportivo-filosófico RUNNING deportivo-filosófico Sunday, 10:30Free Cayetana: Grandee of Spain Cayetana: Grandee of Spain Until 31 Jan 202713 EUR

Why go

  • Rent a rowing boat on Estanque del Retiro.
  • Ricardo Bellver’s Fallen Angel, inspired by Milton’s Paradise Lost, stands near the rose garden, 666 metres above sea level.
  • An olive tree near the Gate of the Fallen Angel dates to around 1396.
  • Palacio de Velázquez and Palacio de Cristal serve as exhibition halls for the Reina Sofía Museum.
  • Take a guided tour of the restored Monkey Pit, part of the former Retiro Menagerie.

Entrances

  • Puerta de AlcaláMain entrancePuerta de Alcalá On the map
  • Puerta Felipe IVPark gateParterre Francés On the map

Don't miss

  • Rosaleda del RetiroThis rose garden was inspired by the Bagatelle garden in Paris’s Bois de Boulogne.Parque del Retiro
  • Parterre FrancésThe park’s only French-style garden contains an ahuehuete, or Montezuma cypress.Behind Puerta Felipe IV
  • Paseo de la ArgentinaAlso called Paseo de las Estatuas, this walk displays royal statues.Parque del Retiro
  • Forest of RemembranceThis memorial commemorates the 191 victims of the 2004 Madrid train bombings.Parque del Retiro

With kids

  • Children can use the park’s playgrounds and sports courts.
  • Teatro de Títeres stages puppet shows every weekend.

Facilities

  • Outdoor cafés and kiosks Cafés around Estanque del Retiro; kiosks around the park.
  • Bicycle hire Rental shops are in the surrounding area.
  • Public library Eugenio Trías Public Library.
  • Cultural centre Casa de Vacas Cultural Centre.

Shorts

History

The name Retiro refers to a royal apartment beside the Jerónimos monastery, used by kings for meditation and recreation. The palace theatre hosted works by Calderón de la Barca and Lope de Vega, while the great pond staged mock naval battles and water shows. The surviving Casón del Buen Retiro, once a ballroom, and Salón de Reinos stand outside today’s park boundaries.

  1. 1505A royal retreat was built after the Jerónimos monastery moved to the site.
  2. 1561Philip II expanded the royal rooms after moving the Spanish court to Madrid.
  3. 1630–1640The Buen Retiro Palace was built under Giovanni Battista Crescenzi and Alonso Carbonel.
  4. 1808During the War of Independence, French troops used the park as their headquarters and destroyed much of the palace and gardens. The palace was never rebuilt.
  5. 1868After Isabella II fell, the city took ownership and opened the park fully to the public.
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  1. 1883The park hosted the Exposición Nacional de Minería.
  2. 1887The park hosted part of the Philippines Exhibition.
  3. 2021On 25 July, El Retiro and Paseo del Prado jointly became a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the Landscape of Light.

Sources: Parque del Buen Retiro - Wikipedia · Madrid/Retiro-Paseo del Arte - Wikivoyage (see) · El Retiro Park | Tourism Madrid · Retiro-Park - Wikipedia · Parque del Retiro de Madrid - Wikipedia · Parc du Retiro - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026

Where
Plaza Della Indipendecia 7, Madrid

Plan from here: Evening walk →

Questions and answers

Where is the main entrance to Parque del Retiro?

At Puerta de Alcalá.

Is there a guide to Parque del Retiro?

An audio guide and interactive map cover 38 landmarks, with Spanish, English and sign-language options available through QR codes and the City Council website.

What are Parque del Retiro’s opening hours?

It is open daily from 06:00 to 00:00.

How do I get to Parque del Retiro?

You can reach the park via Retiro, Ibiza or Atocha stations.

Can I exercise in Parque del Retiro?

Major paths suit running and cycling, and the park is also used for walking and rollerblading.

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