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    Palacio de Cristal

    4.3 (48 reviews)
    Closed • 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Palacio de Cristal Photos

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    Palacio cristal
    Victor R.

    I love this place! They always have free art exhibits and the pictures here for the gram are a total hit! The Palacio de Cristal or "Crystal Palace" is a wonderful instagramable place. From the front the back and the inside, it's an iconic place inside the Retiro park. If you don't have a picture here, did you even visited Madrid? I don't think so!

    Crystal palace
    Maddie H.

    The Palacio de Cristal is an architectural marvel, a stunning structure in the middle of Parque del Buen Retiro. Although it used to function as a greenhouse, it no longer does. I understand that it sometimes hosts art installations and different traveling exhibitions but there was nothing inside when I went. The beauty and majesty is all in the framework as it is all glass and iron. It was very cool to go inside but I enjoyed the view the most from across the lake where I took this photo. The palace is a marvel, the surrounding park is beautiful and the pond in front of it is serene and peaceful. If you are in Madrid this is one of the things you must see! Although I've seen very pretty glasshouses none as big and grand as the Palacio de Cristal.

    Linda C.

    Beautiful, peaceful and not as crowded. We were so excited to visit a location nestled in nature but sadly it was closed and there was nothing posted that it was closed so that was a bit disappointing. We did take pic of the outside and there's a cafe and lunch spot in the park pretty close to it. We ended up walking around in the park and I was happy we did !

    Niki B.

    It's a magical thing to be walking through a park and encounter a glass palace. Located in the middle of Retiro (just south of the lake), this crystal palace frequently features art on the inside. However, it isn't open all the time to walk through, so make sure it's open for your visit. Even if it's not, it's still pretty from the outside. On a hot day, it's only bearable inside for about five minutes (no air ventilation and it soaks up all sun). There is a little pond outside of it with tons of turtles (my favorite part) too.

    Long K.

    Great for some IG photo ops while visiting Retiro Park, but not worth staying around for more than 10 minutes. If you visit during summer, go early before it gets crowded (nothing worse than a random photo bomber). It's basically a glass greenhouse and temperatures can soar inside. The structure of metal and glass is a cool look externally and internally, but inside there are only three statues which isn't much to marvel at.

    Palacio de Cristal's sculpture (inside)
    Rose Y.

    The place itself is overrated. As a tourist from NY, I expected it to be an amazing place to visit in Madrid. The surrounding area was nice with the pond, museum and greenery. But inside the actual Palacio de Cristal was a disappointment. There was a long line to get in. Once inside. There's a couple of sculptures that people can take pictures next to. But that's about it. It's a glass building but I expected some kind of architecture that would knock my socks off. But, alas, it's a big house that has glass for walls and that's it. The two stars that I gave is literally for the lovely pond right outside this establishment.

    Palacio de Cristal
    Wei C.

    This place is beautiful, I've seen this building so many times in my architecture history books that when I saw it personally and in full color it was very striking. It's like a greenhouse with art sculptures inside instead of plants. It sits in parque El Buen Retiro (beautiful park with tons of people enjoying it everywhere) nearby a fountain with trees everywhere. We went during the fall so the leaves were turning color into the fall foliage. If you want to avoid the crowds come early. We were here at 10 AM on a Saturday and there weren't that many people, we came back in the afternoon around 4 PM and the line to go inside was pretty long. If you want a nice picture, walk across the pond and capture the crystal palace through the beautiful trees (notice the trunk touching the water). Definitely a place to visit when you're in Madrid.

    Rory M.

    Breathtaking!!! This crystal palace is a beautiful diamond in the midst of the green park it's in. It's a fairytale come true, reminiscent of Cinderella's carriage but formed into a beautiful building. It's a quick stop, as there isn't anything to see inside other than the sheer beauty of it, but it is a great photo opportunity. It gets very hot on the inside. Bathrooms downstairs.

    Ellie B.

    This is the stunning piece of architecture. I really appreciate that there's large scale public art installed inside. The park in which is situated is playful and inspiring. This is a must see for your visiting list.

    Amy B.

    The Palacio de Cristal is a 19th century greenhouse nestled in the forests of Madrid's Parque de Retiro. Once used to showcase flowers from the Philippines, it is now home to rotating art exhibits and is part of the national museum system. Admission is free, although the Palace is only open during certain hours and not on Tuesdays. The Palacio de Cristal is a beautiful building in a gorgeous setting. You can stand on its front steps and look out across a tranquil pond framed with immaculate landscaping. Or, you can walk its exterior perimeter and notice the detailed ceramic tiling encircling the building. Standing inside surrounded by the glass walls and ceiling is otherworldly; I have never had an experience like it. My only critique of the Palacio de Cristal is that there isn't much to it. Even attending to the details of the architecture, it was hard to spend more than 15 minutes here. I would nonetheless recommend making this unique and beautiful structure a stop on your stroll through the Parque de Retiro.

    Jordan T.

    When I traveled to Madrid, this was one of the thing that I knew I had to see. Walking through Retiro Park to get here is lovely, and then you see this sparkling glass palace off to the side in the middle of the forest. Seeing it for the first time, I was transfixed. It had just rained, so the glass and the leaves of the trees were shiny, and the building looked like something out of a Disney movie. You can walk inside and look around, and entrance is free. The place can get quite crowded with tourists, though when I went it wasn't so crowded due to it being morning, and having just rained. When there aren't art exhibits here, this place feels a bit empty. It is a place to walk inside and see, but not wander through for hours exploring. Be sure not to miss the gorgeous pond outside. It's a beautiful palace made entirely in glass in the forest - who wouldn't want to visit?

    Nancy V.

    I felt as if I was a caged bird! I would recommend everyone to go if they are already in Parque de Retiro. If you do love defferent houses or buildings like I do then you should add it to your list to visit. I was not dissapointed at all... it was beautiful on a sunny day. There many benches outside where you can have a bite to eat or even better have a picnic on the grass in front of the water pond. As a solo traveler I was able to enjoy it more at a calm pace. I took my precious time admiring it.

    Awesome exhibit! Sept '16
    Shane L.

    One of the most beautiful and mesmerizing structures I have ever seen. I was given the advice to go to El Retiro Park while I was in Madrid. Most people mentioned being able to see the boats on the lake in the middle of the park. As I am a runner I always like to explore cities by running them to find cool and beautiful places (usually by accident). This was one of the coolest things I have ever seen. It is a free museum and a great way to pass time. There were two exhibits when I was there and one of them was the boat seen hanging. The views were stunning and I would say this is definitely a MUST SEE!

    Inside

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    Palacio de Cristal Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Palacio de Cristal

    “This crystal palace is a beautiful diamond in the midst of the green park it's in.”

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

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    Museo Nacional del Prado - before I realized photos were not allowed

    Museo Nacional del Prado

    4.6(491 reviews)
    0.9 km•Retiro

    Great museum, can bring water in, no photos allowed, confusing directions to taxi stand…read more The most popular painting by far was the Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch. The only painting that was hard to see due to the crowds! Consider bringing small handheld binoculars or field glasses to better see the Bosch and for some large paintings. People drank from their water bottles in the hallways. Appreciated that we could stand within about a meter (three feet) of each painting and sculpture! We felt that the people of Spain trusted us with their heritage. People behaved well and returned the trust. There is a lesson there.

    Visiting the Prado Museum was an unforgettable, experience for my husband and me. Being able to…read morestand directly in front of iconic artwork I'd previously only studied in books and classes was incredible--real moments that made the trip feel special. Seeing pieces by Botticelli, Goya, Picasso, and so many other legendary artists up close was nothing short of awe-inspiring. It has given me a different perspective of art that I will certainly carry. That said, a few logistical hiccups kept it from being a full five-star visit: * Unmanageable Crowds: Navigating the space near the most famous masterpieces was a challenge. Swarms of people constantly gathered around key artworks, making it nearly impossible to pause, linger, or quietly ponder the detail in a meaningful way. * The No-Photo Battle: The docents/security guards were endlessly trying to enforce the no-picture rule, but honestly, it felt like a fool's errand. Visitors were taking photos at every turn anyway, creating a weirdly tense, cat-and-mouse dynamic throughout the galleries. We still purchased a few of the lovely art books they were offering, but I still snapped a picture every now and again. * Sheer Scale: The museum is absolutely enormous! Because there is so much ground to cover, it almost becomes overwhelming, and it's tough to fully absorb and appreciate the depth of the collection without feeling sensory overload. What saved the day for us: We opted for the audio earphone guides, which I highly recommend. They provided fantastic context and structure to help us navigate the massive layout and truly appreciate what we were seeing. The rest areas were much needed, and the bathrooms were spotlessly maintained. To wrap up our visit, we spent time in the gift shop, which was exceptional! They have thoughtful keepsakes and high-quality items at every price point, making it easy to find the perfect souvenir to mark our trip. We also grabbed a late lunch at the cafe, which was nice too. Overall, despite the chaotic crowds and strict enforcement attempts, the sheer beauty and significance of the collection make the Prado an absolute must-see when in Madrid.

    Photos
    Museo Nacional del Prado - Was reprimanded by staff for taking photos in main hall (photos are prohibited inside exhibition halls), so here's a periphery walkway

    Was reprimanded by staff for taking photos in main hall (photos are prohibited inside exhibition halls), so here's a periphery walkway

    Museo Nacional del Prado - Got a ticket to get in free (after 6pm)

    Got a ticket to get in free (after 6pm)

    Museo Nacional del Prado

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    Museu Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza - Photo 2: Horsewoman, Full-Face by Edouard Manet (1882)

    Museu Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza

    4.3(125 reviews)
    1.1 km•Cortes

    Of the three museums that make up Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art, this is the one people tend to…read moreforget. Indeed this was the third big museum Jamie W and I visited since we didn't have enough time until our 4th day in Madrid. The museum's unpronounceable name doesn't help much. It also houses a broad collection of art that isn't as easy to categorize as the Prado (classical Spanish masters) and the Reina Sofía (contemporary 20th-century art). The museum spans eight centuries of Western art across four floors from 13th-century medieval works on the top floor to 20th-century pop art at the bottom. Richard Estes' Telephone Booths (Photo 8) and Charles Bell's Thunder Smash (Photo 9) are personal favorites of mine. In between are works from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, as well as Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, German Expressionism, and Early Avant-Garde movements. The most familiar paintings are on the middle and main floors where works by Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Dalí, Degas, Manet and Hopper are spotlighted. Unlike the other two museums, this one started as a private collection amassed by two generations of one wealthy Hungarian-German family, which explains why it covers multiple genres not covered by the other two. Admission is 14€ or alternatively 32,8€ for the entire Golden Triangle of Art. RELATED - Exploring Madrid? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/P0_zGgWaQT

    After visiting the Guernica museum (Reina Sofia), I made my way to Thyssen and thoroughly enjoyed…read moremyself. They cost roughly the same for entry but, I don't know, I felt like Thyssen was more my vibe. Super chill, a beautiful building filled with beautiful things. O'Keefe, Toulouse, Lichtenstein, Rothko - our friends are all here. Of the three museums in this literary Huertas 'hood, I highly recommend time at the Thyssen.

    Photos
    Museu Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza - Photo 6: The Dazzling Outcast by Matta (1966)

    Photo 6: The Dazzling Outcast by Matta (1966)

    Museu Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza - Photo 11: Self Portrait near The Oculus at the World Trade Center by Richard Estes (2017)

    Photo 11: Self Portrait near The Oculus at the World Trade Center by Richard Estes (2017)

    Museu Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza - Photo 9: Thunder Smash by Charles Bell (1977)

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    Photo 9: Thunder Smash by Charles Bell (1977)

    CaixaForum - Photo 7: Front of the museum

    CaixaForum

    4.2(60 reviews)
    1.0 km•Cortes

    In the shadow of Madrid's most famous museums is this cultural center that really doesn't compete…read morewith the likes of the Prado and the Reina Sofia. Of all the local museums, it has the most striking exterior with its dramatic rusted steel top and vertical plant wall. Jamie and I were hoping the interior would match the exterior. Instead it felt more like a quiet community center granted with a very cool staircase (Photo 5). Looking closer at the exhibition posters (Photo 2), we realized they rotate over time. That meant only one exhibition was on display when we stopped by, and frankly, it wasn't that interesting to us. It covered a journey through the life of an Assyrian ruler. His name was Asurbanipal, and he ruled Assyria between 669 and 631 BC. Yeah, we didn't know who that was either. They "animated" ancient stone tablets with the colors the archeologists think were used at the time (Video). The one exhibition was pretty much the 6€ admission fee. You won't be surprised to know we didn't stay very long. RELATED - Exploring Madrid? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/AQO8KDtbTY

    Not sure whether to call this a museum or a gallery because it's not an official museum. For now…read morewe'll just say gallery. And man what a nice one it is! They hold several exhibitions at a time and though relatively small they are impactful. I saw the tattoo exhibit and it was very nicely curated. I learned a lot and it was great to see how tattoo culture is different all across the world. The caixa forum building is stunning! The staircase is a centerpiece in itself and the design is architecturally stunning. I was left with a really great impression of this place!

    Photos
    CaixaForum - Photo 6: Assyrian tablet

    Photo 6: Assyrian tablet

    CaixaForum - Photo 1: Montage of images from CaixaForum

    Photo 1: Montage of images from CaixaForum

    CaixaForum - Photo 8: Reception desk

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    Photo 8: Reception desk

    Palacio de Cristal - museums - Updated October 2026

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