Retiro Park, Madrid, Spain

The Buen Retiro Park meaning the "Park of the Pleasant Retreat" is one of the biggest parks in Madrid. Founded in 1630-1640, the 350-acres park located near the modern city center was formerly the property of the Spanish Monarchy and only became a public park in the late 19th century. Today El Retiro is among Spain's capital main attractions that offers a lot to see and do.

Things to do in the Buen Retiro Park

The large artificial Retiro Pond close to the park's northern entrance together with the enormous monument to King Alfonso XII and the surrounding semicircular colonnade standing on its banks are a Buen Retiro Park highlight.

The outstanding Rosaleda rose garden and the famous Fountain of the Fallen Angel, erected in 1922 by Ricardo Bellverare are also worth seeing. The well-known sculpture standing among the rose bushes is said to be the only known public monument of Satan.

A few unique buildings that have made it to our days are also a great decoration of the park, primarily the Buen Retiro Palace that now houses museum collections.

The 1884 Velázquez Palace together with the well-known beauty the Crystal Palace, designed by architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco are undoubtedly the gardens' most extraordinary buildings.

Be sure to walk down the Paseo de la Argentina is known as Statue Walk and admire the statues of kings from the Royal Palace, sculpted between 1750 and 1753 which were used for its decoration.