On this guided tour of Retiro Park, we'll share the many stories behind Madrid's green lung. You can also round out the tour with a visit to the Royal Palace or the Prado Museum.
Tour Details
We'll meet at the Puerta de la Independencia entrance to Retiro Park, right across from the iconic Puerta de Alcalá.
We'll kick off our guided tour of Retiro Park with a stroll to the famous Retiro Pond, presided over by the monument to Alfonso XII. Here, among other stories, we'll tell you about the hobbies of King Philip IV, who ordered the construction of this lake in what was then known as the Buen Retiro.
After hearing more fascinating stories about the park, we'll admire the outside of its 2 palaces: the Velázquez Palace and the iconic Crystal Palace, originally designed as a greenhouse.
We'll wrap up this guided tour of Retiro by admiring more of its gems, like the Parterre. In one of the park's most popular corners, we'll wander along its perfectly lined paths, admire its neatly trimmed hedges, and see cypress trees clipped into whimsical shapes.
After 1.5 hours, we'll wrap up the tour by the Parterre, and from there, you're free to explore your favorite parts of the park on your own.
Tour Options
- Retiro Park Tour (1.5 hours): If you choose this option, we'll take the guided tour of the park as described in the itinerary above.
- Retiro Park + Royal Palace Tour (3.5 hours): If you choose this option, after visiting Retiro, we'll meet up again in the afternoon in Plaza de Isabel II to head inside the Royal Palace, the former residence of Spain's Bourbon monarchs.
- Retiro Park + Prado Museum Tour (3.5 hours): If you choose this option, after visiting Retiro, we'll meet on Calle Felipe IV, next to the Goya statue, at the agreed time. We'll head inside this famous art museum to discover the works it houses. Keep in mind that, depending on availability, the guided tour of the Prado Museum may take place at midday or in the afternoon.
