Palacio De Cristal
Palacio De Cristal
4.5
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Top ways to experience Palacio De Cristal
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Retiro
How to get there
  • Ibiza • 8 min walk
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • MargaretPowell
    Melbourne, Australia1,646 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Make sure you View from Different Directions and Angles
    i missed this last summer as it requires a bit of a walk uphill and it was too hot! Winter or shoulder is the best time to do all the walking and park activities in more comfort. Take the metro to either Retiro or even Atocha or the Arts station just before Atocha and let your map app guide you there. the park is criss crossed with tracks and it is much nicer walking under the canopy on crushed rock than on paving. This glass house is actually bigger than i was expecting. Make sure you walk entirely around it because depending on the angle of the sun it is a bit camouflaged and hauntingly beautiful from some angles. Free. Stop at a park cafe or bar after or sit and rest.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 2 February 2024
  • Tommo
    Melbourne, Australia56,730 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very Unique Glass Palace
    Palacio De Cristal or Glass palace is located at El Retiro Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was originally built in 1887 as a greenhouse as part of an exhibition on the Philippines. It is now used all year round as a venue for hosting temporary exhibitions. It was modelled on Joseph Paxton’s Crystal Palace which had been erected in Hyde Park (London) back in 1851. Whilst in this pretty park its worth visiting this unique building.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 February 2024
  • Jack
    Old Bethpage, New York3,377 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Pretty greenhouse
    The Palacio de Cristal or Crystal Palace is a striking building from the outside. It is in Retiro Park, and unfortunately when I went the inside was closed. The Crystal Palace originally was a part of an exhibit in the Philippines before it was moved to Madrid.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 27 June 2024
  • Sybel S
    Lisbon District, Portugal14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Palacio de cristal- a great find
    A place worth a visit. As you tead through the El Retiro Park and finally reach the palacio de Cristal you really enjoy the view. The fountain lying in front of the palace filled with ducks and turtles is also a visual treat. Sadly the palacio itself was shut due to maintenance but the view from outside too was great.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 13 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles3,710 reviews
Excellent
1,741
Very good
1,380
Average
496
Poor
68
Terrible
25

sheepygold
london5,509 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • 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 1 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sandra n
Sun City, AZ1,240 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
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 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Razorfish
Little Rock, AR5,283 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019 • 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 3 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MargaretPowell
Melbourne, Australia1,646 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Solo
i missed this last summer as it requires a bit of a walk uphill and it was too hot! Winter or shoulder is the best time to do all the walking and park activities in more comfort. Take the metro to either Retiro or even Atocha or the Arts station just before Atocha and let your map app guide you there. the park is criss crossed with tracks and it is much nicer walking under the canopy on crushed rock than on paving. This glass house is actually bigger than i was expecting. Make sure you walk entirely around it because depending on the angle of the sun it is a bit camouflaged and hauntingly beautiful from some angles. Free. Stop at a park cafe or bar after or sit and rest.
Written 2 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Malgorzata
12,083 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2021
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 16 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kmcoyle
Sanbornville, NH1,375 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
This beautiful structure has a little lake in front which enhances the stunning setting. The building is all glass with metal framing and two major "wings. The building is much bigger than I had expected! Entrance is free, and though the line is long, it moves quickly. Inside, the building displays the works of an artist which changes over time. Also, on the lower level is a free men's and women's bathrooms ( few are far between in Spain!)
Written 28 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Allan C
Ipswich, UK541 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
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 10 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lee Ann Murray
Dallas, TX426 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
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 21 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jacqui F
London, UK311 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2022
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 28 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

fcserg
Kyiv, Ukraine191 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2019
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 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Palacio De Cristal - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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