Boats in Madrid?
Yes, there are boats in Madrid!. Although the city is located in the centre of Spain, both in the Retiro Park and in the Casa del Campo there are ponds where you can rent a boat. Renting a boat in Madrid and relaxing for a while on the waters of the Retiro Pond is one of the most popular activities for locals and visitors alike.
With 125 hectares and more than 15,000 trees, the Retiro Park is a green haven in the centre of Madrid. It is not only one of the lungs of Madrid, but also offers culture, leisure and sport.
Since 25 July 2021, the Retiro has been recognised, together with the Paseo del Prado, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Retiro’s large pond was built between 1634 and 1636 by the architect Cristóbal de Aguilera. It once formed the heart of the garden of the Buen Retiro pleasure palace and was used for water shows, naval battles and boat rides by the kings. Apart from the pond, some of the gardens deserve special attention: the Vivaces garden, the Cecilio Rodríguez gardens (classicist gardens with an Andalusian feel), the gardens of the architect Herrero Palacios, the Rose Garden (a collection of roses) and the French Parterre with the ahuehuete, the oldest tree in Madrid, said to be around 400 years old.
Don’t miss the Palacio de Cristal, a romantic pavilion created for a display of exotic plants at the Philippine Exposition of 1887, one of the main examples of iron architecture in Spain.
In addition, in El Retiro you will find notable sculptures and fountains such as the monument to Alfonso XII and the statue of El Ángel caído, the only sculpture in the world that represents the devil; the waterwheel, restored and put into operation, located in the Huerta del Francés; the fountain of the Galápagos, which commemorates the birth of Isabel II; the surprising Hermitage of San Pelayo and San Isidoro; the Forest of Remembrance, a tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks in Madrid on 11 March 2004, and the Puppet Theatre, a unique theatre in Europe with a regular programme every weekend.
You can spend hours in this fabulous park and to get to know it well by land and water, you could combine a bike ride with a boat trip on the Retiro Pond.
We recommend renting a bike, for example from Trixi.com, at c/ de los Jardines 12 (metro Sol or Gran Vía).
Retiro boats in Madrid opening hours
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 15:30 to 20:00.
Closed 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.
Price Boats in Madrid (max. capacity 4 people)
Opening hours & prices: Monday to Friday: 6€.
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 8€.
Children under 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Bookings: (+34) 915 744 024 / [email protected]
How to get there: Plaza de la Independencia 7, 28014 / Paseo de Colombia.
By bike: Trixi.com Bike Rental & Tours in c/ de los Jardines 12 (metro Sol or Gran Vía)
Buses: lines 1, 2, 9, 15, 15, 19, 20, 20, 26, 28, 51, 52, 60, 61, 63, 74, 146, 152, C1, C2
Metro: Retiro (line 2 red) or Ibiza (line 9 purple)
Retiro Highlights Tour (Self-Guided Bike Tour)
- Duration: 3 hours
- Distance: 12 Km (7,5 miles)
There is no better way to explore Madrid than by bike. We reckon the optimal way to see everything this beautiful city has to offer and to soak up the Spanish culture is to ride one of our comfortable bicycles through the narrow, winding streets. Therefore, this bike tour is ideal for anyone who wants to get to know Madrid in a short time and in a leisurely manner – the pace is very relaxed, and includes plenty of stops to take photos and for your experienced, local guide to explain the sights around you.
Our tour’s route is designed to give you a good sense of the layout of the city, and you’ll get to know the “must-see” places, as well as the hidden corners away from the typical touristic paths.
Here is a short selection of the highlights we will see:
- Puerta del Sol
- Plaza Mayor
- Royal Palace
- Debod Temple
- Retiro Park & boats in Madrid
- Prado Museum
- …and many more top sights
While riding your bike through the narrow streets of Madrid, sometimes it feels like you are time-traveling, passing gorgeous and imposing historical buildings, all with their own story.
Our route is designed to give you a good sense of the layout of the city, and get ideas for where to return and investigate afterwards.
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