Get to Know Retiro, the District in Madrid
Retiro district has a population of approximately 125.000 residents and is made up of the following neighborhoods: Pacífico, Adelfas, Estrella, Ibiza, Jerónimos, and Niño Jesús.
Altogether, it is bordered by Paseo del Prado and the districts of Arganzuela and Salamanca.
What to see in Retiro district
This district is located in the greenest area of Madrid, near Retiro Park, from where it gets its name, but also next to the most luxurious area in the city, the Golden Mile in Serrano Street.
Because of its strategic location, the district is considered the best and most residential area, with a large number of apartments for rent.
It is also worth mentioning the proximity to Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Chamartín district and the connection with Paseo de la Castellana, a great traffic artery. Where is the financial hub of the city.
Retiro is home of many educational centers and several museums, such as The Prado and the Botanical Garden.
As we mentioned above, it is important to highlight Retiro Park, which is the best-known park in Madrid and a lung of the city.
The park itself has several activities to do, like enjoy rowing boats in the Big Pond, practice running, or have a picnic.
Inside the park, we can find the Crystal Palace and the Velázquez Palace, where they offer activities and temporary exhibitions. In addition, this area is very well connected because of Atocha station, which has Metro and Train lines in it.
One of the main streets of this district is Paseo del Prado, where there are many shops as well as bars and restaurants. It is a very good leisure area.
Crystal Palace
Architecture of Retiro district
Throughout history, we know that the district has been the place where many kings built iconic monuments from Madrid.
Among these monuments, we can mention the famous “Puerta de Alcalá” with its majestic columns and iconic style, or the “Palace of Cibeles” with its eclectic architecture.
In addition, spectacular gardens and museums were built, which is why the architecture is traditional and authentic. Besides, you can notice the architecture is also very different depending on its neighborhoods.
For example, in Pacífico neighborhood, we can find small buildings from the twentieth century renovated for housing but with historic façades and modernist buildings.
Puerta de Alcalá
Evolution of the district
The history of the district is marked by the park with the same name. Its origin takes place in the middle of the seventeenth century, for the enjoyment of Philip IV.
But it was in 1767, with Charles III, that it was opened to the public as an urban park, furthermore remaining in the hands of the city council of Madrid in 1868.
During the 20th century, the district was consolidated as a residential area for people with high acquisition power.
Atocha station was inaugurated in early 1851, creating the first railway complex in Madrid City.
All the buildings, monuments, and palaces were built later; one of them was the park, as well as the different hoods that form the district.
Initially, the Jerónimos neighborhood was created, which has its own personality because of Retiro Park and Paseo del Prado.
Then, Adelfas District was created by immigration, so it has modest housing and industrial areas.
Regarding the neighborhoods Niño Jesús and Estrella, these are of more recent occupation.
Other things to see near Retiro district
If you are staying in the Retiro area, then it will be easy to get to the Sorolla and Lázaro Galdiano Museums.
From this location, you can start the post about visiting Madrid in one day.
But you might also be interested in some tips for your first visit to Madrid or some of the places you should not miss on your second visit to Madrid.
Our closest accommodations
In case you want to stay near Retiro district, please check out our accommodation in Chamberí or Salamanca; there you can stay for weeks or days in Edificio Escultor, where we have apartments next to Calle Serrano and Paseo de la Castellana.
We have apartments for different profiles of clients, so please check out the list of apartments for companies or the list of apartments for students.
If you also intend to be a home-owner or investor, we can help you maximize the profits on your home, and if you want to live in Madrid, then we can get you a Golden Visa.
