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A Self-Guided Tour of El Retiro Park’s Rise, Ruin and Redemption
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Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn More
50 Minutes to 1 Hours 10 Minutes
Mobile ticket
Overview
On this self-guided walking tour led by tour guide and writer Felicity Hughes, you’ll discover another side to Madrid’s famous El Retiro Park.
The much-loved El Retiro Park is at the heart of Madrid’s picturesque Retiro neighbourhood. Long before it became a public park, it was a royal retreat. On this walking tour, you’ll explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site and hear its fascinating 500-year-long history.
On this tour, you’ll discover how the spiritual retreat of San Jerónimo el Real church was later transformed into an enormous pleasure palace, find out how Retiro’s oldest tree survived the ravages of Napoleon’s invasion and learn about the rebellious Nobel prize-winning Ramón y Cajal by a monument to the neuroscientist.
You'll have a chance to take a peek at the peacocks strutting around a hidden walled garden at the far reaches of the park and see the lake in front of Palacio de Cristal where Pizarro the elephant used to bath
What's Included
- Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
- The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
- Smartphone and headphones
Meeting And Pickup
Meeting point
Select a meeting point
What To Expect
Begin your exploration of Madrid's iconic El Retiro Park in front of the Monument to Goya, where you'll learn about the renowned painter and the collection of the nearby Prado museum.
• Admission Ticket Free
Pass by the historic San Jerónimo el Real church, once a spiritual retreat and later transformed into an opulent pleasure palace.
• Admission Ticket Free
As you wander through the Retiro neighborhood, catch a glimpse of the Hall of Realms, a splendid pleasure palace built for Philip IV as a private retreat.
• Admission Ticket Free
El Cason del Buen Retiro
Pass by the El Casón del Buen Retiro, the remains of the magnificent pleasure palace where Spanish royalty once sought refuge from the public eye.
• Admission Ticket Free
Meander through the lush greenery of El Retiro Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich 500-year history, as you absorb the beauty of its landscapes and architectural wonders.
45 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Puerta de Felipe IV
Take in the grandeur of the Puerta de Felipe IV, an iconic landmark that once marked the entrance to the royal retreat of El Retiro.
• Admission Ticket Free
Marvel at the serene beauty of the Great Pond of El Retiro, a tranquil oasis nestled within the park's enchanting landscapes.
• Admission Ticket Free
End your tour at the Fountain of the Fallen Angel, where you'll gain insight into the park's hidden history and often overlooked sights, from the decadence of its royal past to its present-day allure.
• Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operated by VoiceMap
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
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