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Royal Palace of MadridvsParque del Retiro
Both are highly recommended by professional reviewers writing for major publications. On balance, Retiro Park is preferred by most writers compared to Royal Palace of Madrid. Retiro Park comes in at 82 with positive reviews from 5 sources such as Michelin Guide, Travel + Leisure and Frommer's.
Royal Palace of Madrid
Concierge
Frommer's
Afar Magazine
Let's Go
Condé Nast Traveler
The Telegraph
Michelin Guide
Time Out Time Out Time Out Show All Reviews
Calle Bailen, 28071 Madrid
From $0/night
Concierge "The official residence of Spain's royal family (now only used to host official ceremonies) was commissioned in 1738 by King Felipe V."
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Palace admission is free to European Union residents on Wednesdays
Frommer's "No longer occupied by royalty, but still used for state occasions, Madrid's Royal Palace stands on a ridge above the Manzanares River and Campo del Moro park." Full review
Afar Magazine "Inside, every wall, ceiling, and floor either is a work of art, or hosts works of art." Full review
Let's Go "If you spent your childhood dreaming of princesses, knights, and dragons, the Palacio Real, Madrid’s own royal palace, will be your dream come true." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "From the outside, the dramatic scale of the palace is so impressive. But inside it has such texture and detail." Full review
The Telegraph "The opulent 18th-century palace stands on a strategic site with views across the countryside." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"Part of the national heritage and you can visit thirty of its 2 000 rooms, among them the beautiful Throne Room, the sumptuous Gasparini Room and the marvellous Porcelain Room." Full review
Time Out "Commissioned by Felipe V after the earlier Alcázar was lost to a fire in 1734, the Royal Palace is rarely used by the royal family today, and many of its 3,000 rooms are open to view." Full review
Time Out "This huge and beautiful palace is surrounded by lovely gardens, irrigated by the waters of the Tagus and Jarama rivers, and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape." Full review
Time Out "An exceptional showcase of Spanish baroque religious art, with works by Gaspar Becerra, Zurbarán, Claudio Coello and even a tiny painting attributed to Goya." 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
