Retiro District

Retiro is a district surrounding the renowned El Retiro Park, named after it. Primarily residential, it also hosts numerous shops and businesses, bustling during the day and tranquil at night.

Located east of Madrid's center, Retiro's layout mirrors its neighboring Barrio de Salamanca, featuring perpendicular streets with broad sidewalks and several boulevards, such as Ibiza and Alcalde Sainz de Baranda.

Visitors to Madrid should not miss the magnificent El Retiro Park, the largest in the capital and a perfect destination for those seeking a peaceful stroll in a unique environment. El Retiro Park is a true oasis of tranquility: an elegant and stunning green space adorned with a diverse array of trees, beautiful gardens, monuments, fountains, and sculptures. Its centerpiece is a magnificent large lake where visitors can row boats and enjoy idyllic scenic views. The park is also a cultural hub, housing museums such as the Palacio de Velázquez and the iconic Palacio de Cristal, as well as a public library and other notable buildings. The area surrounding the park offers a wealth of cultural attractions, restaurants, and shops. Along the attractive one-kilometer-long Paseo del Prado, a boulevard that passes many major museums and the Royal Botanical Gardens, visitors can explore landmarks like the Palacio de Cibeles (Madrid’s City Council), the stunning cathedrals of Jerónimos and Niño Jesús.

Retiro is primarily a residential area but it also hosts numerous shops and businesses, making it bustling during the day and quiet at night. The layout of Retiro is similar to that of the neighboring Barrio de Salamanca, featuring a network of perpendicular streets with wide sidewalks and several boulevards, such as Ibiza and Alcalde Sainz de Baranda.

Retiro encompasses various neighborhoods, with the most popular being Ibiza, Jerónimos, and Niño Jesús. The Ibiza neighborhood is reminiscent of the Barrio de Salamanca but with less elegant buildings. It is characterized by densely packed structures and a bustling atmosphere filled with small shops, restaurants, and bars. In recent years, it has become a destination for those seeking a good gastronomic experience, thanks to the many excellent restaurants along Doctor Castelo Street.

The affluent, upscale Jerónimos neighborhood is an iconic area with a privileged location between the emblematic Retiro Park and the Museo del Prado. It boasts beautiful 18th and 19th-century buildings with majestic facades that rival the best architecture in Madrid. This quiet, primarily residential area has only a handful of restaurants.

The Niño Jesús neighborhood is quieter, more spacious, and predominantly residential.

The area of El Paseo del Prado/Retiro, which stands as the epicenter of Madrid’s cultural life and is home to three of the world’s finest art collections, aspires to gain World Heritage status in the category of Cultural Landscapes. This includes the Paseo del Prado between Cibeles and the Plaza de Atocha, the entirety of El Retiro Park, and the neighborhood of Los Jerónimos.

MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL VENUES

Prado Museum

One of the most important museums in the world, and is considered the most important museum in the European painting of the 15th and 16th centuries. Works by Velázquez, Goya, el Greco, Tiziano, Rubens, among others.

Palacio de Cristal

Built in 1887, the Glass Palace is one of the finest examples of iron and glass architecture in Madrid. The Palacio Velázquez is a red-brick neoclassical building built in 1881-83. Both palaces are used by the Reina Sofía Museum for temporary exhibitions.

Naval Museum

A 19th c. museum of Spain’s maritime history from its earliest days to the 20th century. The collection displayed includes weapons, flags, uniforms, and a Mappa Mundi dating back to 1500.