From being a royal retreat in days of old (built in 1632), this beautiful Retiro Park was opened to the public in the 1800's and is filled with life every day of the week. Our first stop in Madrid upon arrival was (had to be, of course) at a cafe for a refreshment of tapas and a pitcher of Sangria, followed by an evening at this majestic park. People of every age watching clowns, musicians, performances, boating in the man-made lake...wish I were there again!