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EuropeSpainMadrid

Retiro

Madrid, Spain · Europe

About Retiro

Retiro works well as a base: 48km from Sierra de Guadarrama National Park.

Retiro is a city located in Madrid, Spain. With a population of 126,058, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Retiro sits in Spain, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Madrid time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Retiro to your route.

About Retiro

The Palacio de Cristal ("Glass Palace") is a 19th-century conservatory located in the Buen Retiro Park in Madrid, Spain. It is currently used for art exhibitions. The Palacio de Cristal, in the shape of a Greek cross, is made almost entirely of glass set in an iron framework on a brick base, which is decorated with

Read more ceramics. Its cupola makes the structure over 22 metres high. When it was erected, glass and iron construction on a large scale was already to be seen in Madrid at Delicias station (1880), the work of a French architect; however, the curved architecture of the Palacio de Cristal is more comparable to the techniques pioneered by the British architects Joseph Paxton (who was responsible for London's Crystal Palace) and Decimus Burton (who was responsible for the Palm House at Kew Gardens). The Palacio de Cristal was, alongside the Pabellón Central, one of the main venues of the 1887 Philippines Exposition. The cast-iron frame was manufactured in Bilbao. The structure was designed in a way that would allow it to be re-erected on another site (as happened to the equivalent building in London). However, the building has remained on the original site, next to a lake, and has been restored to its original appearance. It is no longer used as a greenhouse, and is currently used for art exhibits.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Retiro

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Retiro?

Retiro offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Retiro?

Plan your road trip to Retiro with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Retiro as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Retiro located?

Retiro is located in Madrid, Spain, Europe. The coordinates are 40.4132 latitude, -3.6831 longitude.

What is the population of Retiro?

Retiro has a population of approximately 126,058 people, making it a city in Spain.

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Quick Information

Population
126,058
Continent
Europe
Country
Spain
Region
Madrid
Timezone
Europe/Madrid
Coordinates
40.4132, -3.6831

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Spain

Police
091
Ambulance
061
Fire
080
All emergencies
112
Driving side
right

Guardia Civil (traffic police): 062. Two warning triangles required in vehicles.

Full driving guide for Spain

Tags

EuropeSpainMadridCity

Worth the detour from Retiro

7 notable places within an hour's drive.

museum

Museo Reina Sofía

Spain's national museum of 20th-century art, home to Picasso's monumental anti-war painting Guernica.

1 km · about 5 min drive

museum

Museo del Prado

Spain's premier art museum with an unrivaled collection of European art, including masterworks by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco.

1 km · about 5 min drive

landmark

Plaza Mayor

Grand 17th-century rectangular plaza in central Madrid surrounded by three-storey residential buildings with 237 balconies.

2 km · about 5 min drive

landmark

Royal Palace of Madrid

Largest functioning royal palace in Europe with over 3,400 rooms, the official residence of the Spanish royal family.

3 km · about 5 min drive

racetrack

Circuito del Jarama

A tight, twisting 3.4km circuit north of Madrid designed by John Hugenholtz that hosted nine Spanish Grands Prix. Still active for club racing and track days, largely unchanged since the 1970s.

24 km · about 30 min drive

landmark

El Escorial

A vast granite royal monastery and palace at the foot of the Guadarrama mountains, burial place of Spanish kings.

44 km · about 50 min drive

national park

Sierra de Guadarrama National Park

Granite peaks and pine forests north of Madrid, with the Puerto de Navacerrada pass beloved by drivers and skiers.

48 km · about 55 min drive

Driving in Spain

Drives on
the right
Petrol
~€1.55/litre
Motorway tolls
~€4.00/100km

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence