El Retiro (El Parque del Buen Retiro)

El Parque del Buen Retiro in Madrid is so beautiful. I went here on my final day in Madrid and wish I had gone sooner, because it really was one of my favorite places.

The upkeep on the park is great; it is clean and well taken care of. It is really just a great place to take a stroll, talk with a friend or reflect.

In the park you will find El Palacio de Cristal which is modeled after the London’s Crystal Palace. There is also a body of water, Retiro’s Pond where you can take out boats and have fun on the water.

El Retiro is the main park in Madrid and is a must-see if you're visiting. It's rather large and is kept up wonderfully. Similar to Central Park in NYC- you can rent rowboats, walk along paths, and view monuments and statues. The Palacio de Cristal is particularly beautiful on a sunny day. One of the most interesting parts of the park is the statue of Lucifer. While many think of the Devil as the horns and pitch-fork guy, the statue (part of a fountain) depicts Lucifer as he has just fallen from heaven (he's an angel)- and the beauty of the statue and the temptation in that beauty is a wonderful commentary on evil.

I highly suggest bringing a picnic or having breakfast in the park. I have enjoyed many hours there and it is probably my favorite place in Madrid. While in Madrid, use the metro system to get around- it's extremely easy and it's a very large system. In addition to the park, check out Plaza del Sol and venture outside the main touristy section of the city for great food at half the price.