Retiro Park (Madrid)

The Parque del Buen Retiro first started life as a royal retreat in the 19th century, and is now Madrid’s most popular green oasis for simple relaxation, sports activities and summer festivals and events. It still has a regal quality with lovely formal gardens; there are a number of stately palaces and a few whimsical follies which were built purely for the amusement of the ruling classes. On Madrid weekend breaks, you will find that a Sunday afternoon at Retiro Park is a quintessential pursuit for all locals. You will see families taking a stroll, couples walking hand in hand and joggers, skateboarders and guitar strumming buskers all adding to its colourful atmosphere.

 

You can get energetic in the park and enjoy games of football, tennis, boules, boating on the ornamental lake or an evening barbecue which is popular with locals. On summer city breaks in Madrid, you can listen to recitals at the bandstand and kids will love the weekend performances at the open air children’s theatre. However nothing beats simply strolling through the flowerbeds and along the elegant paths, admiring the colourful blooms and taking in the sight of the myriad eccentric jugglers, fortune tellers and pavement artists who have become part of the scenery.

 

Visitors can also do a spot of sightseeing while escaping the heat and bustle of the city. Retiro Park has some unique and eccentric monuments well worth exploring, such as possibly the world’s only statue dedicated to Satan. Lovers of military history can tour the Museo del Ejercito, the former royal armoury which houses the sword of El Cid. The most spectacular structure is the 19th century Crystal Palace which now hosts temporary cultural and art exhibitions through the year. While on cheap city breaks in Madrid, you can explore a diverse landscape which includes orchards, wooded areas and secluded fishing ponds. It is easy to get off the beaten track especially on weekdays and relax in perfect tranquillity for a few hours.