Complete guide to El Retiro Park in Madrid

Are you planning a getaway to Madrid and looking for a place to disconnect without leaving the city? Then you have to come and see El Retiro Park, the capital’s largest lung and also one of the most beloved places for Madrilenians.

With its 125 hectares and more than 15,000 trees, this space is not just a garden; it is a great park that can be visited 365 days a year. In fact, the value of El Retiro in Madrid is so great that it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.

If you want to know more about it, how to make the most of your visit, what to do here, and how to get the best out of it, keep reading because we’ll tell you everything.

Where it is and how to get to El Retiro Park in Madrid

It is right in the center, you can’t miss it. It borders some of the best neighborhoods in Madrid, such as the elegant Salamanca district or the Los Jerónimos area. Additionally, it is just a 15-minute walk from Puerta del Sol, Cibeles, and Alcalá, so there is no excuse not to come and see it.

To make things even better, getting there is very easy thanks to the city’s public transport if you know how to get around Madrid. You have the Retiro Metro station —L2— next to one of the main entrances, Ibiza —L9— for the Botanical Garden area, and Atocha —L1— at the southern end.

Not to mention the large number of city bus lines and the fact that the Madrid hop on hop off service also has stops very close by.

If you are coming in your own vehicle, remember to find out which cars can enter Madrid —we don’t want any fines—, the low-emission restrictions, and which public parking lots are in the surrounding area. Although we can tell you now that the closest ones are Niño Jesús, Doctor Castelo 10, and Serrano Retiro.

What to see and do in El Retiro Park

Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is going for a boat ride, right? It’s one of the must-do things in El Retiro in Madrid. But it’s not the only one.

The park is huge and houses a multitude of monuments and gardens to discover.

The Great Pond and the Crystal Palace

The Great Pond is the heart of the park and the place where you’ll find the famous rowing boats that everyone loves so much. Right behind it, you’ll be able to see the monument to Alfonso XII presiding over the scene. It features a semicircular colonnade and plenty of smaller sculptures.

And not far from here stands the Crystal Palace, another of the site’s jewels, built in 1887 with iron and glass for an exhibition of exotic plants. Nowadays, it is used to host exhibitions from the Reina Sofía Museum.

Well, that’s the two essentials of El Retiro in Madrid covered, let’s move on to more!

French Parterre and the Rose Garden

If you prefer botany, the French Parterre is a mandatory stop to see the famous Montezuma cypress —the oldest tree in Madrid— and the Rose Garden, the most romantic corner of the park, inspired by great European rose gardens like Bagatelle in Paris. In spring, 20,000 rose bushes of more than 650 different varieties bloom in this garden, creating a spectacle of color and scent that is hard to forget.

Statue Walk and the Fallen Angel

On the Statue Walk —also known as Paseo de la Argentina— you will find the figures of the monarchs of Spain that were originally intended to decorate the cornice of the Royal Palace.

Very close to this area, you will come across the enigmatic Fountain of the Fallen Angel; a sculpture unique in the world representing Lucifer and which, curiously, is located exactly 666 meters above sea level.

Cecilio Rodríguez Gardens and the Forest of Remembrance

And take note, because in El Retiro in Madrid there are other lesser-known but no less important areas. We are talking about the Cecilio Rodríguez Gardens, an enclosed space decorated with fountains and geometric hedges, where it is common to see peacocks.

Very close by is the Forest of Remembrance, a memorial space created in honor of the victims of the March 11, 2004 attacks, where 192 trees were planted.

Velázquez Palace and the Puppet Theater

You also can’t miss a visit to the Velázquez Palace, another spectacular pavilion that also hosts exhibitions from the Reina Sofía Museum under its brick and tile vaults.

And if you’re coming as a family, the Puppet Theater is a great plan, as it is the only permanent puppet theater in Europe with free performances every weekend. You can find the full schedule here.

Where to eat near El Retiro

After a good walk, you’ll surely have worked up an appetite. Fortunately, restaurants abound in the surrounding area. For a high-quality meal, you have Brisket and its smoked meats, the renowned Italian Don Giovanni or the signature cuisine of Poncio, recommended by the Michelin Guide. And if you fancy something different, Didedas will transport you to Georgia with its delicious khinkali.

If you’re looking for something more informal, the area is ideal for tapas at places like La Dehesa II, El Güichi with its Cadiz flavor, or La Pequeña Graná.

And if you’re a brunch lover, spots like Kavovar, Carmencita or Tía Julia are perfect for recharging your batteries with some good eggs Benedict and a specialty coffee before continuing to explore the city.

Come and discover the lung of Madrid

El Retiro in Madrid is a symbol where history and nature coexist and where you can enjoy all kinds of plans. Although if El Retiro Park has one thing —and we haven’t mentioned it yet— it’s peace. It is a true refuge for athletes, families, couples, and also for people looking to disconnect from how stressful the city can be.

Do you want to come and see it with a weekend getaway to Madrid? Are you lucky enough to come for longer? Try to find accommodation that allows you to be a stone’s throw from everything there is to see in Madrid in three days; although if you’re coming for longer, you can afford to stay a bit further away. Of course, if it’s in the center, all the better! That’s why at WAOU Rentals we have apartments, studios, and lofts designed for you to enjoy the city in the heart of the action.

What are you waiting for to book yours and come to see El Retiro Park in Madrid?