Paseo de Recoletos

With gardens, trees and beautiful flowerbeds all along the sides, Paseo de Recoletos is one of the major tourist attractions in Madrid, Spain. The fountains and varied street furniture on either side of Paseo de Recoletos will make you feel ecstatic and cherished.

History: Paseo de Recoletos is one of the main boulevards in Madrid. It leads from Plaza de Cibeles to Plaza de Colon. By the end of the 18th century architect Jose de Hermosilla under the instruction of King Charles III constructed Paseo del Prado as well as Paseo de Recoletos.

Description: The center of the boulevard is a pedestrian walk, lined with gardens, trees, statues and fountains. The first and largest stretch of the boulevard from Plaza Cibeles to Calle de Prim has a row of eight ponds lined with white double doric columns. Some of these ponds are lighted at night, forming tiny water falls in between. The second and shortest stretch from Calle Prim to Calle Almirante or Recoletos contains the Cafe Gijon, with an outdoor terraza on the boulevard. The last stretch from Calle Barbara de Braganza or Villanueva to Plaza de Colon has Cafe El Espejo.

Events on the Paseo: Some exciting and interesting events taking place in Paseo de Recoletos are:

  -  The Feria del Libro Antiguo y de Occasion (Secondhand Book Fair), held in April/May
  -   The Feria de Artesania (Craftsmanship Fair) held during Christmas.
  -   The Feria del Libro Viejo y Antiguo (Old Book Fair), held in Autumn,
  -  A Feria del Disco Antiguo y de Occasion ( Secondhand Gramophone Record Fair)

Some of the most important buildings lying across the Paseo are the:

  -   The Biblioteca Nacional de Espana (The largest National library in Spain)
  -   The Archeological Museum
  -   Marques de Salamanca Palace
  -  British Consul General office
  -  Convent of San Pascual