Parque del Buen Retiro (Retiro Park)

I love being in a city where nearly everywhere is within walking distance. Madrid is one of those places you can just go for a walk and end up stumbling across something beautiful.

My first visit to Retiro was the result of a trip to Starbucks turning into a wander then a full on hike around the park! It was a fresh Autumn day, there was no sun in the sky but the cold felt refreshing, not bitter like it is in England! My flatmate, Megan, and I walked through the gates and I was instantly amazed! Such a beautiful park! The plants were perfectly positioned with sandy paths leading you further in.

Following the trail you reach grand statues and fountains. A mix of old and new, there is no recurring theme with the sculptures you come across in Retiro, but each one is just as inviting as the last.

We ended up reaching the lake, where you can rent a boat. Although it was far to cold for us to brave the water! I took some photos of other people enjoying it though! Hopefully I can go back and rent a boat when the sun is in more abundance!

I always make sure to take my visitors to the park. It's such a good, cheap way to enjoy the city (unless you decide to stop for a ridiculously overpriced drink at one of their cafés! ).

It's a great place to exercise too, not only do they have running routes but also a park designed to be used for fitness activities. I've also seen martial arts classes being held here, such a vibrant city! I can imagine when the sun comes out again I shall be straight down there with my book to catch a few rays!

Retiro park is the most amazing park in Europe. It has everything you can expect and more. It is always full of people, performers and clowns, and most of all sun. If you are a person that loves picnics, running outdoors, rollerblading or just going for a nice walk, this place has it all. My friends and I go for picnics and we always have a great time. All you need is some food to share, a ball or a frisbee, maybe even a guitar or a jukebox and most of all good mood, and your day will be amazing. You may rent a boat as well to row on the lake or a bike to ride around. This park is as well kids friendly and there is a few cafes.

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You are in Madrid and want to go for a stroll? Buen Retiro park should be on top of your list for a stroll. It's the most famous park in Madrid. Of course it would be pretty busy during weekends, families and friends go for walks in the park while street musicians, sidewalk painters, fortune tellers, jugglers and street performers animate the crowd. My family and I lucked out with a day of blue sky and warm sun, which we made use of with a picnic in Retiro Park. The area was bright, clean and spacious.

To start with, before entering Retiro park there's 'Puerta de Alcalá'. It pretty close to the city centre and several meters away from the entrance to Retiro Park. It's a neoclassical granite gate with three large archways and two smaller, rectangular passageways. Each of the archways is decorated with a lion's head, sculpted by Roberto Michel. The top of the gate is decorated with statues by Francisco Guttiérrez.

Here we are on the sunny day at retiro park. We can see the beautifully architectured entrance. This enormous park had a different scene at every corner, it originally belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until, in the 19th century, it became a public park. Its a magnificent park filled with amazing sculptures and monuments and a peaceful lake as well. The park includes some very important gardens : the jardin de vivaces, the jardin de Cecillio Rodrigues, the Jardins del Arquitecto Herrero Palacios, the rose Garden and the Parterre Frances with the oldest tree in Madrid.

Walking through the park you would find many amusing events. It offers cultural, leisure, and sport activities to all people, those from Madrid and those visiting. Among its architectural, historical, and popular elements. As we can see in the photo it's a man dressed in Mickey mouse to entertain the little kids with there families during the weekends.

From this point it was pretty hard to decide which way to go. I had looked at the map at the gate and also at my guidebook but it was still a bit confusing. Walking further there was the hustle and bustle of locals and tourists and music and entertainment from performers along the main path. I found a group playing the violin, their music was outstanding, it made my day.

And who would resist taking a boat? It only costs about 6 euros and you get 45mins which is plenty of time to row around it enjoying your cruise around the lake. Don't get caught up in taking photos and forgetting to cherish the moment watching the outstanding views of every corner.

Another view from the lake while rowing the boat. It might not seem the most beautiful area but it's so much more beautiful than the photo I guarantee you.

Looking down at the lake from the top next to the lion sculpture. The weather was pretty satisfying from up there. I regret not taking a photo while watching the sunset from this spot. The view was astonishing.

Off we go to the edge of the lake is a beautiful glass building the "palacio de cristal". Built in 1887, it is inspired by the crystal palace in London. It was initially used to exhibit exotic plants brought over from Philippines but now mainly used for temporary exhibitions. The Palacio de Cristal, in the shape of a Greek cross, is made almost entirely of glass set in an iron framework on a brick base.

"Casita de Pescadores", (Fishermen's Cottage)! Its a small recreational beautiful building located in the northeastern corner of the gardens with a wonderful view over the lake. It was built during the reign of Fernando VII like the Royal Palace of Aranjuez.

Have fun strollling around Retiro park !

The largest green space in Madrid is the garden of Buen Retiro, allowing you to walk and enjoy the greenery, the flowers, or the lake. I went twice, the first time in January and the other in April, and unfortunately, each time proved to be very cold. This did not prevent enjoyment of this beautiful place. We completely forgot the stress of the capital, calmly taking refuge in this park. You can admire the lake that overlooks the monument of Alfonso XII, surrounded by its columns and sculptures.

The Crystal Palace was being prepared for an exhibition so it was impossible to visit, but the view from the outside was already incredible.

This park is also populated with ducks and birds coming to make their lives there. Early in the morning or late at night you can meet runners doing their daily jogging. Here there was a very interesting gallery in the Centro cultural Casa de Vacas with paintings and graffiti by Antonio de Felipe.

This garden is accessible to everyone, free entry and the closest metro line is Line 2.

The Buen Retiro Park is one of the huge green spaces in the amazing Spanish capital. This incredible park is the perfect place to spend a quiet afternoon, whether if you want to go for a stroll, have a picnic or simply just to take in some of the park's beauty. In summer, it's also the best place to go to sunbathe!

Some of the best places to see in Retiro include the Chrystal Palace, an excellent place to take photos and just admire the Palace's beauty. Another place to see is the Palacio Velázquez, which hosts amazing exhibitions inside.

Around the park you can find impressive sculptures made by famous sculptors.

If you are looking for other places to see close to the park, you can find The Prado Museum, which is also a must see! .

Parque del Retiro - that's the name of a pretty big park in Madrid. In this park you can spend a lot of time walking around and enjoying the green view. In addition, you find some lakes. In one of those lakes you can rent a boat and paddle a bit - well, that was just a little bit to boring for me. I just relaxed at this place and made a photo of this (to be honest, quite dirty) lake and of a duck:

What I enjoyed more was the Palacio de Cristal del Retiro. That's a palace in the park which is almost only made of glass windows:

There is a small lake where a lot of animals chill and especially the second best animal of all times (after dogs) - ducks! There are many different ducks hanging around in the lake. I have made some photos of course:

Besides you can find some turtles, all hanging out at one place.

Did I mention already that I like ducks?