1 Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales
2 Museo de América
3 Museo Lázaro Galdiano
4 Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
5 Museo Sorolla
6 Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
7 Palacio Real
8 Parque del Retiro
9 Plaza Mayor
10 Museo del Prado
The 130ha park, with its mixture of formal gardens, tree-studded lawns and a large lake, acts as a set of lungs to refresh the city centre.
Felipe IV created this Buen Retiro (a pleasant place to retire or retreat) in the 17th century. This is where the court came to have fun, staying in the Buen Retiro Palace and watching bullfights, plays and fireworks in the gardens. A century later, Carlos III opened the royal park to the public - as long as they were dressed properly. By the mid-19th century, anyone could enjoy the park, whatever their garb.
Nowadays, a Sunday stroll is a must. Madrileños promenade along the Paseo del Estanque, while children play and watch noisy puppet shows. Take in a free concert of zarzuela music at the Templete de la Musica, have your portrait sketched or try your luck at the roulette wheels of the chulapos, colourful locals in waistcoats and caps. There are pathways for cyclists and rollerbladers, shady spots for picnicking and formal parterres with botanical name-plates to identify the species. Important landmarks include the elaborate 1922 memorial and statue of Alfonso XII, El Pacificador (the Peacemaker), which overlooks the estanque (lake). Check whether there are any exhibitions in the two glass halls, the Palacio de Cristal and Palacio de Velázquez, both built in the 1880s, or the restored Casa de Vacas (House of Cows), which is on the site of an old dairy. La Rosaleda (Rose Garden) is at its best in May. Avoid the park after dark.Address: Calle de Alfonso XII
Hours: Jun-Sep 6:30am-midnight; Oct-May 6am-10pm
Restaurant: Plenty (Inexpensive)
Bus: All routes to Retiro
Metro: Atocha, Ibiza, Retiro
Accessible: Good
Admission: Free
Other: Casón del Buen Retiro, Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas
Info: Calle del Duque de Medinaceli 2 PHONE: 902 100 007
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