A Self-Guided Tour of El Retiro Park’s Rise, Ruin and Redemption Discount Tickets

5.0
★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 2 reviews |

Get your discount tickets for the A Self-Guided Tour of El Retiro Park’s Rise, Ruin and Redemption, save up to 14% !

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

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

The tour starts in front of the Museo del Prado by a statue of Goya.

End Point

End point

The tour ends at the Angel Caido.

Language Offered

English-AUDIO

English-WRITTEN

Itinerary

1. Monument to Goya
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.
2. Iglesia de San Jerónimo el Real
Pass by the historic San Jerónimo el Real church, once a spiritual retreat and later transformed into an opulent pleasure palace.
3. Royal Palace of Madrid
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.
4. 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.
5. El Retiro Park
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.
Duration: 45 mins
6. 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.
7. Estanque Grande del Retiro
Marvel at the serene beauty of the Great Pond of El Retiro, a tranquil oasis nestled within the park's enchanting landscapes.
8. Fountain of the Fallen Angel
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.

Inclusion

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

Exclusion

Smartphone and headphones

Cancellation Policy

Check mark icon Refundable tickets

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • 100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
  • 0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Supplied by VoiceMap Audio Tours

Reviews

5.0

★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 2 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

5 stars
2
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 stars
0

Explore other options