There are many beautiful and scenic places to spend your Sunday afternoons in Madrid, however, Parque del Retiro is definitely a high contender. You’ll find families, couples and friends enjoying recreational activities from riding around on an adult scooter to taking a rowing boat out onto the lake. When myself and friends visited we spent several hours leisurely strolling around the huge 350 acre park, including the stunning rose garden. The area has a very peaceful and calming atmosphere – making it a perfect place to go and relax.
Nevertheless, if sitting on a bench enjoying the sun is not your cup of tea, you can also go and visit the terrapins which live in the lake outside the The Glass Palace (‘Palacio de Cristal del Retiro’). This magnificent building is not only easy on the eye or makes a great Instagram photo, but is also a designated art space. It displays different bodies of artwork throughout each year, making it both picturesque and cultural.