Retiro Park

Madrid’s great garden, a World Heritage Site next to the Paseo del Prado.

The Buen Retiro began in the 17th century as the garden of a royal palace and opened to the public in the 19th. Today it covers about 118 hectares of avenues, statues, fountains and historic buildings in the middle of the city, and since 2021 it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage “Landscape of Light” together with the Paseo del Prado.

It is where madrileños jog, walk their dogs, read in the sun or row on the lake. Entry is free and it is the perfect break between museums.

What to see

The big lake and Alfonso XII monument

Rowing boats for hire; the colonnaded monument closes the lake on its east side.

Crystal Palace

An 1887 iron-and-glass pavilion by a small lake, hosting free temporary exhibitions by the Reina Sofía.

Velázquez Palace

Another Reina Sofía exhibition pavilion, in brick and ceramic, also free.

Rose Garden and Fallen Angel

The Rosaleda blooms in May and June; nearby is the Fallen Angel fountain, one of the few statues in the world dedicated to the devil.

Tips

• Enter by the Puerta de Alcalá or the Puerta de España (Calle Alfonso XII) to go straight to the lake.
• On Sunday mornings there are musicians, puppeteers and a lively atmosphere around the lake.
• On windy days the City Council closes parks for safety: check before you go.

Hungry nearby? See where to eat in Salamanca.

Guidance checked in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and conditions change: always check the official sources.