Madrid’s Great Parks – The Retiro

Madrid has to be one of Europe’s greenest cities, in terms of the amount of parks, gardens and open natural spaces it contains. From the stately Parque del Retiro to the sporty Parque Juan Carlos I, there’s a park to suit everyone.

The Retiro is one of my favourites, and is a wonderful park located in the heart of Madrid. It covers 120 hectares, and was originally created as part of the grounds of the 17th century palace belonging to King Felipe IV. Once restricted to the enjoyment of Royalty, it was declared open to the public in the 19th century and continues to be a favourite weekend destination for many Madrid families.

The park is beautifully maintained and is home to a large number of mature and varied trees, whose wonderful coloured leaves make for a dramatic backdrop to an autumn stroll. You can hire a boat on the lake, visit the Rosaleda (rose garden), or simply enjoy the surroundings. The park caters well to the younger members of the family, with numerous children’s play areas dotted throughout. Weekends are always very popular, and this is when the park really comes alive with street theatre performers and musicians. There are also a couple of open air cafes where you can relax and soak up the atmosphere.