Discover Retiro’s 29 best spots for your trip in Madrid

Museo Nacional del Prado

★ 4.7 · 157,363 reviews

Plan around the Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid's great temple of Spanish painting beside Retiro. Spend a few hours in front of masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya and El Greco, moving through centuries of European art.

El Retiro Park

★ 4.8 · 216,670 reviews

Spend a slow morning in El Retiro, Madrid's former royal park at the heart of the city. Stroll tree-lined avenues, circle the boating lake and pause among fountains, statues and the rose garden.

Retiro

Stroll into Retiro, Madrid's beloved park just east of the centre. Wander shaded avenues to the lake, watch rowing boats drift past the monument, and pause at the glass Palacio de Cristal.

Puerta de Alcalá

★ 4.7 · 63,954 reviews

See the Puerta de Alcalá, Madrid's neoclassical triumphal arch beside Retiro Park. Circle the arch to study its carved stone and sculptures, then continue into the park.

Real Jardín Botánico

★ 4.4 · 37,274 reviews

Slip into the Real Jardín Botánico, a calm walled garden next to the Prado and Retiro. Stroll shaded terraces and greenhouses, breathe in the herb and flower scents, and linger over the bonsai collection.

Embarcadero de El Retiro

★ 4.1 · 622 reviews

Take a rowboat out from the Embarcadero de El Retiro, the classic way to enjoy Madrid's best-loved park from the water. Paddle across the lake beneath the Alfonso XII monument at an unhurried pace.

Cybele Palace

Take in Cybele Palace, the elaborate white former post office that now houses Madrid's council offices. Circle the building and the busy square in front to appreciate its ornate 1919 architecture.

Monument to Alfonso XII

★ 4.7 · 3,401 reviews

Visit the Monument to Alfonso XII, the grand colonnade beside Retiro Park's lake. Photograph it from the steps, or take a rowing boat out for the view from the water.

Calle Claudio Moyano

★ 4.7 · 70 reviews

Wander Calle Claudio Moyano, a leafy Retiro street of secondhand booksellers. Browse shelves of old and used books beneath the trees, then continue into the neighbouring botanical garden.

Restaurante La Montería

★ 4.5 · 3,444 reviews

Discover La Montería, the busy Retiro favourite where locals crowd the bar and tables. Share traditional regional dishes such as venison and tuna belly with a glass from the long wine list.

Fountain of the Fallen Angel

★ 4.6 · 9,397 reviews

Find the Fountain of the Fallen Angel in Retiro Park, a sculpture of Lucifer falling from heaven. Study the angel's expression and the gargoyles below, then continue your stroll through the park.

Sood Coffee - Café

★ 4.7 · 1,032 reviews

Pop into Sood Coffee, a cozy specialty café in Retiro that visitors return to again and again. Sip a flat white or iced matcha latte, then pair it with pistachio cake or a fresh yogurt bowl.

Naval Museum

★ 4.6 · 12,265 reviews

Step into the Naval Museum, right beside the Spanish Navy headquarters, for a free look at Spain's seafaring past. Follow centuries of exploration through ship models, navigational instruments and displays running from the age of Isabella and Ferdinand onward.

National Museum of Decorative Arts

★ 4.3 · 3,063 reviews

Slip into the National Museum of Decorative Arts, a calm Retiro-area stop for anyone who likes period interiors. Wander more than 60 rooms of ceramics, glassware, silver and furniture, many from the 16th and 17th centuries.

OSO CAFÉ

★ 4.4 · 78 reviews

Pick up a coffee at OSO CAFÉ, a small specialty shop in the Retiro neighbourhood. Choose your milk, including fresh local milk, and take your cup for a walk toward the nearby park.

Iglesia de San Jerónimo el Real

★ 4.6 · 2,556 reviews

Step inside Iglesia de San Jerónimo el Real, tucked behind the Prado. Admire the neo-Gothic sanctuary and stained glass, and enjoy a quiet pause between Madrid's museum and park districts.

Deessa

★ 4.6 · 364 reviews

Discover Deessa, a stylish Retiro restaurant where each course arrives beautifully presented. Settle in for warm, attentive service and dishes such as the octopus rice that reviewers call unforgettable.

Velázquez Palace

★ 4.4 · 4,535 reviews

Step into the Palacio de Velázquez, a free neoclassical pavilion tucked inside Retiro Park. Browse the current contemporary art exhibition, admire the red-brick architecture and cool off indoors before returning to the park's paths.

Basílica of Nuestra Señora de Atocha

★ 4.6 · 1,417 reviews

Step into the Basílica of Nuestra Señora de Atocha, home to Madrid's patron saint. Look up at the green dome, then spend a quiet moment before the seated statue of the Virgin.

Hop On Hop Off Bus tour

★ 4.1 · 13,491 reviews

Ride Madrid's hop-on hop-off double-decker buses to see the capital at your own pace. Choose among the blue, green and orange circuits, listen to the audio guide, and add the included walking tour.

Pantheon of Illustrious Men

★ 4.4 · 1,542 reviews

Step into the Pantheon of Illustrious Men, a quiet Retiro-area cloister many visitors overlook. Walk among marble tombs and funerary sculptures honouring the politicians and soldiers of 19th-century Spain.

Barracuda l Restaurante Mexicano Madrid

★ 4.4 · 2,132 reviews

Settle in at Barracuda, Retiro's relaxed take on elevated Mexican cooking. Share guacamole with chicharrón and ribeye tacos, and choose something from the wine list.

Royal Observatory of Madrid

★ 4.7 · 876 reviews

Slip away from the Retiro crowds to the Royal Observatory of Madrid, one of the city's best-kept secrets. Join a guided tour through astronomy exhibits and a historic telescope replica, learning how stars guided navigation and mapmaking.

Stillroom

★ 5.0 · 121 reviews

Discover Stillroom, a stylish Retiro cocktail bar open from late morning until the small hours. Cool off in its comfortable interior and sip handcrafted twists on classic drinks.

Best of 3-Hour Guided Bike Tour

★ 4.8 · 1,550 reviews

Pedal through Madrid's historic core on this guided three-hour bike tour starting near Retiro. You will ride past the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, with a break halfway and stories at each stop.

Museo La Neomudéjar

★ 4.4 · 1,149 reviews

Head to Museo La Neomudéjar, a free contemporary art space inside an old factory in Retiro. Take in video art and experimental installations, then step out onto the terrace.

Tour to Cuenca and the Enchanted City from Madrid

★ 4.8 · 628 reviews

Discover the strange rock formations of the Enchanted City and the hanging old town of Cuenca. Enjoy the view from the Devil's Window and lunch in the castle quarter.

Prado Museum Ticket with Audio Guide

★ 3.7 · 1,562 reviews

Enter the Prado with a reserved ticket and a digital guide in your pocket. Wander the galleries on your own schedule while the audio explains Velázquez, Goya, Rubens, El Greco and Caravaggio.

Iconic Retiro Park Segway Tour

★ 4.9 · 953 reviews

Glide through Retiro Park on a guided Segway tour that starts with a quick training session. Roll past the Crystal Palace, the lake and the rose garden while your guide shares the park's story and takes your photos.