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Palacio Real de El PardovsParque del Retiro
Retiro Park and Palacio Real de El Pardo are both recommended by writers. On balance, Retiro Park scores slightly better than Palacio Real de El Pardo. Retiro Park is ranked #6 in Madrid with endorsements from 6 sources like Fodor's, The Telegraph and Lonely Planet.
Palacio Real de El Pardo
Fodor's
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Frommer's
Time Out Frommer's Frommer's
C/ Manuel Alonso s/n, El Pardo, 28048 Madrid
From $0/night
Fodor's "The Royal Palace awes visitors with its sheer size and monumental presence that unmistakably stands out against the city's silhouetted background." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"An Italianate baroque colossus with some 2800 rooms, of which around 50 are open to the public." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Located on the site of a ninth-century Moorish fortress, the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) is the official residence of the Spanish royal family." Full review
Frommer's "The palace where General Franco lived and performed his duties as head of state for 35 years (till his death in Nov 1975)." Full review
Time Out "In addition to its main role today as a diplomatic rendezvous, the palace is partially open to the public and there are tours of its ornate and gaudy interior with its ornamental frescoes." Full review
Frommer's "The frescoes, paintings, and tapestries displayed in its salons today date from this and the following 2 centuries. An additional highlight is the elegant little theater built for Maria Luisa of Parma" Full review
Frommer's "One of the less imposing of the royal palaces, El Pardo is worth a visit just to see some of the early Goya tapestries, the other decorative arts, and the gardens" Full review
Parque del Retiro Fodor's Frommer's Lonely Planet Travel + Leisure
Michelin Guide
The Telegraph
Afar Magazine
Independent Frommer's
Between C. Alfonso XII and Avenida de Menendez Pelayo, Madrid
From $0/night
Fodor's "Madrid's crowning park is a vast expanse of green encompassing formal gardens, fountains, lakes, exhibition halls, children's play areas, outdoor cafés, and a Puppet Theater." Full review
Frommer's "Originally a playground for the Spanish monarchs and their guests, this park extends over 140 hectares (350 acres)." Full review
Lonely Planet "One of the few vestiges of the 17th-century Palacio del Buen Retiro, this somewhat austere building overlooking the Parque del Buen Retiro is run as an academic library." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Madrid’s answer to New York’s Central Park is a warren of paths carved in green with a large, central man-made lake and plenty of space (330 acres) for lolling about." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"A green space where... you can row on the (artificial) lake under the indifferent gaze of King Alfonso XI, or join the locals running along the pathways." Full review
The Telegraph "Originally the gardens of a royal palace, the Retiro is now Madrid’s main park, with a boating lake, cafés and exhibition venues." Full review
Afar Magazine "The biggest park in the Spanish capital, Retiro is a great destination where you could spend the better part of your day." Full review
Independent "Madrid’s sprawling, elegantly faded green space, Parque de El Retiro, hugs the main avenue that leads to the city’s two biggest art museums as well as the main city station, Atocha."
Frommer's "It covers 140 hectares of lawns, lakes, and woodland...the park offers gentle recreational activities for everyone" Full review
