Puerta de Alcalá

A neoclassical granite gate commissioned by Carlos III in 1778 — one of Europe's first purpose-built triumphal arches predating Paris's own by decades. It once marked the eastern edge of the city; now it stands mid-roundabout at the entrance to Retiro Park.

The gate is lit dramatically at night and looks its best from the small park island directly in front of it on Plaza de la Independencia, rather than from a moving car. It has five openings — the outer two smaller than the rest, an intentional bit of forced-perspective design that makes the gate look larger from a distance than it actually is. Retiro's main Puerta de Alcalá gate is a two-minute walk away, making this a natural first or last stop on a park visit.