Retiro Park is like the Central Park of Madrid. This gigantic park has it all. Large grassy areas…read morefor a picnic or long pathways to run or walk. A big lake in the center to rent a row boat and ride around or a crystal palace to swoon over. Retiro is big and it can be hard to see everything on foot. There are lots of available rental bikes to make your trip throughout the park even easier.

Beautiful park ! Lots of space for kids to run and play ! Plenty of cafes to grab coffee before and…read moreevening stroll! Came in winter and still is stunning

I can imagine that Real Jardin Botanico gets overlooked by its more famous neighbor, El Museo del…read morePrado. But if you need a respite from the hustle and concrete of the city without leaving, this is really a very nice botanical garden to visit. There are many paths that take you through both well-planted and more wildly arranged beds with a variety of plants to enjoy. Fountains and art can be found throughout. There are also multiple, large greenhouses for the vegetation that can't survive the climate without assistance including a very arid house for cacti and other succulents as well as a rainforest greenhouse with high humidity and a catwalk to look down on the impressive assortment. You can also check out the bonsai path for some really impressive specimens. They also have a rotating exhibit, though I didn't pay the additional entry fee for it. I was really impressed with the gardens and hope that more people take advantage of such a great destination in the heart of the city!

It's a small botanical garden and seemed a bit unkempt with a few dead specimens and some weed…read moresprouting up. The conservatory felt messy and crowded, with plants not people, but I did enjoy the carnivorous plant collection. There was a small rotating exhibit in another building that was interesting. The current one was of plant in fashion, think plant based dyes etc. Compared to the nearby Retiro Park, or even the Parque del Oeste across town, this garden really was unimpressive. And it's the only one of the three that charges an entrance fee! Sure, 4 euros isn't a lot, but if you are short on time, I'd definitely skip this.