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About this place
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Editorial summary
Amplio parque del siglo XIX con lago para barcas y rosaleda, además de diversas fuentes y estatuas.
Google Reviews
¡El parque es un oasis verde en el corazón de Madrid! ¡En medio de la metrópoli tenemos una parte de la verdadera naturaleza! ¡Pasamos 3 horas en él sin siquiera darnos cuenta de lo acogedor que era el momento con las bellezas naturales! El palacio de cristal estaba cerrado, pero aprovechamos para hacer una parada en la cafetería cercana. ¡Estar en el parque es una invitación a disfrutar del momento presente sintiendo la brisa de los árboles y ver la naturaleza! ¡Sin mencionar que durante el recorrido encontramos artistas tocando música hermosa y agradable haciendo que la experiencia sea aún más hermosa! — O parque é um oásis verde no coração de Madrid! Em meio a metrópole temos uma parte da verdadeira natureza! Passamos 3 horas nele sem nem perceber de tão aconchegante que foi o momento com as belezas naturais! O palácio de cristal estava fechado mas aproveitamos para dar uma parada na cafeteria próxima. Estar no parque é um convite para apreciar o momento presente sentindo a brisa das árvores e ver a natureza! Sem contar que durante o passeio encontramos artistas tocando música linda e agradável fazendo com que a experiência fique ainda mais bela! — The park is a green oasis in the heart of Madrid! In the middle of the metropolis we have a part of the true nature! We spent 3 hours in it without even realizing how cozy it was the moment with the natural beauties! The crystal palace was closed but we took the opportunity to stop at the nearby cafeteria. Being in the park is an invitation to enjoy the present moment feeling the breeze of the trees and seeing nature! Not to mention that during the tour we find artists playing beautiful and pleasant music making the experience even more beautiful!
Lugar muy pacífico, suelo ir específicamente a la biblioteca Eugenio Trias a estudiar diario, pero a veces también trato de pasear por el lugar para relajarme, y es muy agradable. El ambiente es tranquilo y con muchos monumentos y atracciones, aunque hay algunas en restauración que es lo único malo, pero por lo demás, es un sitio bonito. Recuerdo ir a un museo donde había una exposición de vacas y era gratuito, muy lindo y acogedor por dentro.
Un oasis de inspiración en el corazón de Madrid: El Parque de El Retiro El Parque de El Retiro no es solo un parque; es el corazón vivo de Madrid, donde cada rincón desborda armonía y belleza. Al cruzar sus puertas, parece que entras en un mundo diferente, donde el ajetreo de la metrópoli se rinde ante la calma esmeralda y la majestuosidad de la naturaleza. El parque impresiona por su esplendor: sus avenidas infinitas envueltas en un verde intenso y sus exquisitas composiciones florales crean una sensación de primavera eterna. La Rosaleda ocupa un lugar especial en mi corazón; cuando cientos de variedades de rosas florecen al mismo tiempo, el aire se llena de un aroma tan delicado y profundo que el tiempo parece detenerse. El alma del parque es el Estanque Grande. Ver los destellos del sol jugar sobre el agua o alquilar una barca para deslizarse rítmicamente por la superficie es un auténtico placer. A orillas del estanque, la vida siempre vibra: es común encontrar a músicos locales cuyas melodías se entrelazan con el susurro de las hojas. Tocan y cantan con tal entrega que su música une a todos, desde los madrileños hasta los turistas de tierras lejanas. En El Retiro conviven de forma asombrosa dos esencias: la paz absoluta en sus rincones sombríos, ideales para leer en silencio, y la energía vibrante y festiva cerca del monumento a Alfonso XII. Es un lugar amado por todos sin excepción. El Retiro no solo se visita, uno se enamora de él para siempre, llevándose en el alma un pedacito del sol español y una alegría sincera. Si estás en Madrid, déjate perder en este parque; te aseguro que te regalará la inspiración que buscas.
Points included in this audio guide

Monument to the Fallen Angel
The Monumento del Ángel Caído in Madrid's Parque del Retiro is the world's only statue dedicated to the Fallen Angel, situated at 666 metres above sea level. This unique monument stands as a striking sculptural work within the park's grounds. Visitors exploring the Retiro will find this distinctive piece of public art among the gardens and pathways. The statue's unusual subject matter and symbolic elevation make it a notable point of interest for those visiting Madrid's largest and most popular urban park.

Crystal Palace
Built in 1887 for a Philippine exposition, the Palacio de Cristal stands as a pinnacle of Spanish glass-and-iron architecture. Originally designed to showcase colonial treasures, this striking structure now serves as an exhibition venue for the Museo Reina Sofía. Visit this elegant iron-framed pavilion to see contemporary art exhibitions within a masterpiece of 19th-century industrial design.

Great Pond
The Estanque Grande is a 17th-century pond that once hosted naval spectacles and theatrical performances. Presided over by the Monument to Alfonso XII, it remains a focal point of the park and offers opportunities for leisurely boating. This historic water feature provides a peaceful setting for visitors to explore what to see during a visit to this Madrid landmark.

Monument to Alfonso XII
An impressive monument opened in 1922, featuring a semicircular colonnade of Ionic columns and an equestrian statue of the king. Designed by José Grases Riera and executed by more than 40 artists, this landmark stands as a striking tribute to Alfonso XII. The architectural composition, with its grand classical elements and sculptural detail, makes it a notable sight to visit in the Retiro district.

Velázquez Palace
Built in 1883 for the National Mining Exhibition, the Palacio de Velázquez is an exhibition pavilion that skilfully blends iron-frame architecture with traditional Hispanic design and decorative tilework. Located in Madrid's Parque del Retiro, it remains a striking example of 19th-century industrial design, merging engineering innovation with ornamental craftsmanship. The building's distinctive combination of cast iron and ceramic embellishment makes it worth visiting to appreciate the aesthetic dialogue between functionality and artistic expression.

The Parterre
El Parterre is an 18th-century Baroque garden designed in the French style, among Spain's earliest of its kind. The formally laid-out plaza features twin fountains and symmetrical side ramps that define its boundaries, exemplifying the geometric precision characteristic of the period.

Rosaleda
Created in 1915 by Cecilio Rodríguez, this elliptical rose garden contains over 4,000 rosebushes of varying species. Inspired by the Rosaleda de Bagatelle in Paris, La Rosaleda showcases an impressive collection of cultivars in a carefully designed setting. What to see here includes heritage roses and contemporary varieties arranged across the formal garden layout. Located in Madrid, it remains a significant example of early 20th-century horticultural design and is popular with both gardening enthusiasts and casual visitors seeking a peaceful natural space.

Royal Astronomical Observatory
The Royal Astronomical Observatory is a striking neoclassical building designed by Juan de Villanueva and completed in 1790. Its distinctive architecture features a cruciform floor plan with a central rotunda and Ionic temple structure. Built as part of King Charles III's enlightenment initiatives, the Observatory remains one of Madrid's most elegant scientific buildings. Visit to appreciate both its architectural significance and its role in Spain's astronomical heritage.

Gate of Philip IV
Madrid's oldest surviving monumental gate, the Puerta de Felipe IV dates to 1680 and was designed by Melchor de Bueras. Originally built as a grand entrance, the structure was relocated to its present position in the Parterre in 1922. This baroque gate remains an important architectural landmark, showcasing the craftsmanship of 17th-century Madrid. Worth visiting to see a rare example of the city's early monumental architecture preserved and restored for modern visitors to appreciate.

Cecilio Rodríguez Gardens
Formally landscaped rectangular gardens featuring a blend of Spanish Islamic influences. The Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez showcase pergolas, fountains, decorative pools and sculptural groupings arranged with geometric precision. These carefully designed gardens offer a peaceful retreat within Madrid's urban landscape, reflecting the architectural traditions that shaped Iberian garden design.
- 1.Monument to the Fallen Angel
- 2.Crystal Palace
- 3.Great Pond
- 4.Monument to Alfonso XII
- 5.Velázquez Palace
- 6.The Parterre
- 7.Rosaleda
- 8.Royal Astronomical Observatory
- 9.Gate of Philip IV
- 10.Cecilio Rodríguez Gardens
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Kids version available with adapted and fun language for the little ones (24 min)
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