The Great Pond of El Retiro (Estanque Grande) is an artificial lake at the heart of Madrid’s Retiro Park, built in the 17th century and overlooked by the grand Monument to Alfonso XII.
Rowboats are the pond’s signature activity: rent one to paddle past the monument’s colonnade, a favorite Madrid pastime since the 19th century, alongside street performers and vendors along the shore.
Boats run from 10 AM to 2 PM and again from 3:15 PM until closing (as late as 8:30 PM in summer). A 45-minute rental for up to four people costs 6 euros on weekdays and 8 euros on weekends.
