Sightseeing

Parque del Retiro

📍 Spain, Madrid, Retiro Park

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Introduction

Retiro Park is a large, pleasant city park in central Madrid—a former royal garden and now the green playground of Madrilenos, with its broad greenery, beautiful lake, gardens and buildings, a delightful, relaxing retreat in Madrid, listed as a World Heritage Site (as part of the Paseo del Prado and Retiro). Retiro Park sits in central Madrid (next to the Prado Museum), a vast and lovely city park. Originally a 17th-century royal garden for the Spanish royal family's leisure, it later opened to the public and became the beloved place for Madrilenos to relax, exercise and unwind, the city's green heart. The park is vast and beautiful, shaded and lush; scattered within are many charming sights: the most famous and photogenic is the elegant artificial lake at its center (visitors can row on the lake; on its shore stands the grand Monument to Alfonso XII, like a graceful lakeside picture); besides, there is the unique Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace), built of iron and glass—a translucent, elegant glass palace often used for art exhibitions by a small lake, exquisite; a rose garden; and many gardens, sculptures, fountains and tree-lined avenues. Strolling Retiro, visitors can walk and rest among the broad greenery and flowers, enjoy the lake, row a boat, visit the Crystal Palace or relax on the lawn, savoring leisurely urban time—especially on sunny days, the park brims with fresh, relaxed city life. Visiting Madrid's Retiro Park, strolling the lovely royal garden and enjoying the lake and Crystal Palace, is a pleasant Madrid retreat.