Parque del Retiro
Near Alcalá Gate and Paseo del Prado · 15 min walk
El Retiro is Madrid's grand central park, a 1.4 km² expanse of gardens, monuments, galleries, and an artificial lake. It belonged to the Spanish monarchy until 1868, when the Glorious Revolution made it public. In 2021, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Paseo del Prado.
Rent a rowboat on the lake for a classic Madrid experience. Walk from the Alcalá Gate through the park's main entrance, then head straight to the lake for the iconic view of the Alfonso XII monument.