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Further Distractions Parque del Buen Retiro (Retiro Park) This lush 118-hectare (292-acre) park in the heart of Madrid was formerly the private garden of Philip IV. Visitors can enjoy a stroll among the trees and rose garden, a boat ride on the lake near the towering 1902 monument to Alfonso XII, tarot readings from hovering fortune-tellers or a game of chess. Art buffs may seek out exhibition spaces Palacio de Cristal, Palacio de Velázquez and the Casa de Vacas or the notorious Angel Caído (Fallen Angel) statue on the south avenue of the Palacio de Cristal. Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de la Independencia Transport: Metro Retiro, Atocha or Ibiza; any bus route to Retiro. Opening hours: Daily 0600-2200. Admission: Free. Convento de las Descalzas Reales (Convent of the Royal Barefoot Sisters) Founded by Joanna of Austria, the daughter of Charles V, in 1564, the Convento de las Descalzas Reales has housed royal and aristocratic nuns over the centuries. Still a functioning convent, it is also a superb example of 16th-century Baroque architecture, containing a magpie’s hoard of rich tapestries and jewels, Italian and Flemish art and a superb display of Spanish religious artefacts. One tiny painting has been attributed to Goya. The convent is open for guided tours only. Tours are in Spanish, although questions are taken in English. Plaza de las Descalzas Reales 3 Tel: (91) 454 8800. Transport: Metro Callao or Sol; bus to Puerta del Sol. Opening hours: Tues-Thurs and Sat 1030-1245 and 1600-1745, Fri 1030-1245, Sun 1100-1330. Admission: €4 (concessions available). Fauna Parque Biológico (Environmental Park) The theme of this new, attractively landscaped theme park is bio-diversity. Each of the ten pavilions has been specially designed to recreate a different natural environment, with the aim of demonstrating how life – animal life in particular – has learned to adapt to a variety of ecosystems. Thanks to the latest high-tech wizardry, visitors can ‘experience’ a tropical storm, take a stroll through the rain forest or watch rivers of molten lava flowing 1000m (3281ft) beneath the earth’s surface. Avenida de la Democracia 50 Tel: (91) 301 6210. Fax: (91) 301 6229. Transport: Metro Valbernardo or Cercanías Vicálvaro; bus 8, 71, 130 or E. Opening hours: Daily 1030-2000 (1 Apr-16 Sep); daily 1030-1800 (17 Sep-31 Mar). Admission: €16 (concessions available). Faro de Moncloa (Light of Moncloa) The Faro de Moncloa observation tower, in the university district, is open to the public, offering visitors panoramic views of Madrid from the flying-saucer-shaped viewing deck. The tower was designed by architect Salvador Arroyo, in 1992, to monitor traffic congestion. Avenida de los Reyes Católicos/Plaza del Arco de la Victoria Tel: (91) 544 8104. Transport: Metro Moncloa; bus 1, 16, 44, 46, 61, 82, 83, 132, 133 or C Opening hours: Tues-Fri 1000-1400 and 1700-1900, Sat-Sun 1030-1730. Admission: €1 (concessions available). |
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