A Self-Guided Tour of El Retiro Park’s Rise, Ruin and Redemption
Active
50m - 1h
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Instant confirmation
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
About this experience
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
Available options
A Self-Guided Tour of El Retiro Park’s Rise, Ruin and Redemption
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
Detailed itinerary
1
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
Pass by the historic San Jerónimo el Real church, once a spiritual retreat and later transformed into an opulent pleasure palace.
3
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
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
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.
6
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
Marvel at the serene beauty of the Great Pond of El Retiro, a tranquil oasis nestled within the park's enchanting landscapes.
8
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.
What's not included
Smartphone and headphones
Available languages
Audio guide
EN
Written guide
EN
Reviews breakdown
Viator
5.0
1 reviews
5★
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4★
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Tripadvisor
5.0
1 reviews
5★
1
4★
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Important information
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Meeting point
The tour starts in front of the Museo del Prado by a statue of Goya.
Important notes
VOICEMAP CODE
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Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You've been sent an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.
This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.
DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS
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1. Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:
2. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app
3. Create an account
4. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes
5. Enter your code then select Download Now
PLEASE NOTE
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You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.
SUPPORT
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For technical support and other queries, please email support@voicemap.me
From $25
per person
Price varies by option
Secure booking
Free cancellation available
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