If you are learning Spanish by your own or taking a Spanish course in Madrid Center, we are glad to talk to you a little bit about the famous Parque del Retiro, which is one of the main parks in Madrid since its inauguration in 1868.
El Retiro is a large park with an extension of 125 hectares and more than 15,000 trees of very varied species, that means there are hundreds of places to visit and activities to enjoy.
POND
The artificial pond is one of the first images that we will see if we enter through the Puerta de Alcalá. In the pond you can rent rowboats or do a small collective tour.
MONUMENTO A ALFONSO XII (Alfonso 12th ‘s Monument)
An impressive monument located on one of the banks of the previous pond that was inaugurated in 1922. If have the opportunity of going on Sundays you will find many people near the monument playing timbales and other instruments.
PALACIO DE CRISTAL (Crystal Palace)
The Palacio de Cristal was built in 1887 next to its artificial lake, the Palacio de Cristal is the site of many temporary exhibitions. Initially it was used as a greenhouse.
PASEO DE LA ARGENTINA
El Paseo de la Argentina, commonly called Paseo de las Estatuas, it is a way in which we will find statues dedicated to all the monarchs of Spain. At first they were commissioned by Fernando VI to decorate the Royal Palace.
This park opens from October to March: from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and from April to September: from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., what means that if you need to rest of your Spanish lessons you have the opportunity to go for a walk or even more: enjoy the park with its sports facilities, decoration gardens, historical buildings, terraces where you can stay and have a drink and even occasional palaces. If you liked El Parque del Retiro, you should go and also visit Malasaña or Sol.