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Palacio De Cristal
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Palacio De Cristal

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Palacio De Cristal
4.5
3,649
#59 of 1,134 things to do in Madrid
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Retiro
How to get there
  • Ibiza • 9 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
9,498 within 3 miles
Maximo Sushi Bar
175
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Sushi • Asian
Levél Veggie Bistro
790
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Fusion
Florida Park
1,392
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Spanish • Gluten Free Options
Empanadas Malvon
263
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Argentinean • Vegetarian Friendly
The Spanish Farm
479
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Spanish
Sazon Arte
300
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Spanish
Taberna Zalamero
89
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Sibuya Urban Sushi Bar Madrid C/ibiza
480
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Sushi • Asian
Adrede
214
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Spanish
Txirimiri Ibiza
722
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Spanish • Gluten Free Options
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Attractions
1,086 within 6 miles
Parque del Retiro
56,329
522 ftParks
Jacinto Benavente Statue
12
345 ftMonuments & Statues
Monumento a Cuba
13
345 ftMonuments & Statues
Fuente del Ángel Caído
268
0.2 miMonuments & Statues • Fountains
Prado National Museum
57,493
0.5 miArt Museums
Fuente de las Esfinges
3
0.2 miMonuments & Statues • Fountains
Monumento a Martinez Campos
12
0.2 miMonuments & Statues
Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
16,715
0.7 miSpeciality Museums
Estanque Grande del Retiro
82
0.3 miBodies of Water
Pabellon de los Jardines de Cecilio Rodriguez
23
0.2 miParks • Gardens
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,649 reviews
Excellent
1,716
Very good
1,358
Average
485
Poor
64
Terrible
26
Jacqui F
London, UK213 contributions
A small but perfectly formed Victorian-style glass house in a shady spot.
When we were there, a temporary art installation had been set up in the Crystal Palace, which was enjoyable to look around. It isn’t as sweltering inside the glasshouse as you might imagine, but the real treat is walking around the outside. The glasshouse is lovely to look at, with perfect proportions, designed by Ricardo Velázquez Bosco, who also created the Velázquez Palace, a few minutes walk away. The pond in front is home to big, bold fish, who don’t mind swimming close to the surface so you can get a close look, and cute little terrapins. When we were there, two excellent buskers were brightening up the whole scene with their music. Amid the noise and bustle of Madrid, this is a quiet and pleasant place to spend some time.
Written August 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Allan C
Ipswich, UK540 contributions
One of the must sees in the park
One of the "must sees" in the Park. Modelled to an extent on the London Crystal Palace of the great exhibition this is an impressive construction of iron and glass which sometimes contains a small exhibition. Best viewed on a sunny day from across the pond when the building and the trees are reflected in the water.
Written May 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lee Ann Murray
Dallas, TX364 contributions
Architectural Delight
We visited the Park only to see this former glass greenhouse. The raw beauty of it, the iron and glass set amongst the trees was stunning. There was a short line to get in, but it went quickly and there is no fee. Lots of unique photo ops inside, the architecture is unique onto itself.
Written April 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Malgorzata
11,263 contributions
Lovely place
A beautiful place, a beautiful palace. This palace is one of a kind. The Crystal Palace is the most famous object of the Retiro Park. It was designed by Ricardo Velazquez Bosco, an architect who modeled on the London glass palace. The facility was built in 1887 on a Greek cross plan. The Crystal Palace is located in the middle of Retiro Park, in the vicinity of the lake, which is accessed by stairs. Visitors to the gardens can go down directly to the shore and take a closer look at the ducks, geese, black swans and turtles that inhabit the lake. It's free to enter.
Written November 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
FJGonzalezG
Bethesda, MD1,227 contributions
Amazing venue
On the late-February day of our visit to the Palacio de Cristal (Cristal Palace) , the venue was so packed with tourists that our group was unable to enter and see the Reina Sofia Museum's exhibit of work by visual artist Jaume Plensa. Nonetheless, the building is impressive, ideally set, and wonderfully maintained. Well worth a visit, even if you can't enter.

Plopped in the middle of Madrid's Buen Retiro Park and facing the Cascada pond, the Palacio de Cristal is a conservatory built in 1887 on the occasion of the Exposition of the Philippines, held in the same year, then a Spanish colonial possession. The architect was Ricardo Velázquez Bosco, one of the iconic architects of Madrid in the 19th century.
Written April 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Beatrice Rohan
Zurich, Switzerland172 contributions
A must see
Solo
Gorgeous building located in a very nice park, easily accessible from the center of Madrid. The park is huge, harbor a lake and lots of green spaces to sit and relax. The museum itself is beautiful. It is quick to visit but it is free and really worth the experience. Plan to spend a good couple of hours in the park if it’s sunny.
Written January 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Razorfish
Little Rock, AR3,420 contributions
Gorgeous glass and cast iron structure in Retiro Park in Madrid
Couples
The Palacio De Cristal is a gorgeous glass and cast iron structure in Retiro Park in Madrid. My wife visited on a Sunday afternoon. It was a relaxing and leisurely experience. The crystal house is one of the main features of the park.
Written October 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sheepygold
london5,126 contributions
Stunning building, less than stunning art
Couples
We love coming to this gorgeous glasshouse with its amazing external decoration. Unfortunately I find the art exhibitions generally awful and the current one doesn't disappoint. The brochure for the exhibition reads like a rather unintelligible rant by the artist which bears little resemblance to the pieces he is showing. Great venue, pretty rubbish art.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sandra n
Sun City, AZ1,281 contributions
Beautiful, Romantic Victorian Setting!
While visiting Parque de Retiro (see my review), this was a nice unexpected bonus that was a delight to see. This area of the park is really a photographer's dream, with the beauty of this romantic Victorian glass gem, and the outdoor water completing the setting. I could just imagine this as the perfect choice for wedding photos. We had some special "Birthday" memories, which were great. I also enjoyed choosing a few pieces of jewelry from a couple of vendors outside the Palace very reasonably priced. Have yourself a lovely visit also.
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
fcserg
Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine210 contributions
Shiny diamond in the heart of the park
Amazing palace, the astonishing play of light and shadow, equally beautiful from inside and outside. There is an exhibition inside with interesting figures. The palace placed near the lake with swans, ducks and a lot of other birds.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Palacio De Cristal (Madrid) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Palacio De Cristal
We recommend booking Palacio De Cristal tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 15 Palacio De Cristal tours on Tripadvisor
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