On this walking tour, led by tour guide and writer Felicity Hughes, you will discover another side of Madrid’s famous El Retiro Park.
Visit the Monument to Goya, where stories of the famous Spanish painter and the nearby Prado museum's collection come alive.
You will 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.
Wander through the Retiro neighborhood and catch a glimpse of the Hall of Realms, a splendid pleasure palace built for Philip IV as a private retreat.
Learn about the rebellious Nobel Prize winner Ramón y Cajal at a monument dedicated to the neuroscientist.
You can see peacocks walking around in a hidden walled garden at the edge of the park.
Look at the lake in front of the Palacio de Cristal where Pizarro, the elephant, used to bathe.
Mobile Voucher accepted, no need to take the printed tickets!

El Retiro Park is not just a green retreat; it is a window into Spain’s royal past, historical transformations, and modern-day vibrance that exists for over 500 years. This walking tour reveals the secrets of the park, from the artistry of Goya to the politics of Phillip IV, and brings its storied past to life. Beginning at the Monument to Goya, each stop adds a layer to the park’s history, from royal palaces to ancient zoos, and hidden gardens to towering monuments. Join us on a journey through Madrid's heart and its treasured Retiro.

In the beautiful Retiro neighborhood of Madrid lies the beloved El Retiro Park. Long before it became a place for the public to enjoy, it served as a royal retreat. On this walking tour, visitors can explore the park, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and dive into its rich history that spans over 500 years.

The tour begins at the Monument to Goya, where stories of the famous Spanish painter and the nearby Prado museum's collection come alive. Moving forward, the path leads to San Jerónimo Real, a historic church closely tied to the story of Philip II, who made Madrid the capital of Spain by moving his royal court here in the 1500s. As the tour continues through the Retiro neighborhood, visitors pass by remnants of the luxurious royal retreat built by Philip IV, including the grand El Casón del Buen Retiro and the Salon de los Reinos. These sites were once designed as secluded spaces for the king to escape from public life.

Entering the park, visitors come across the Great Pond of El Retiro, an iconic spot where people can imagine the past elegance of the area. Continuing through the park, the tour passes by the location of the former Antiguo Zoo de Madrid, which housed exotic animals centuries ago, and reaches the Fountain of the Fallen Angel, marking the end of the journey. Walking through the park feels like a trip through time, from the extravagant days of royal life to the damages caused by Napoleon’s army, and finally to modern Spain, highlighting how much the park has witnessed and evolved over the years.

Throughout this journey, many stories are waiting to be uncovered. San Jerónimo el Real church, once a spiritual retreat, was later transformed into a grand pleasure palace for royal leisure. One of the park’s oldest trees, a silent witness to history, survived the destruction brought by Napoleon’s invasion. Visitors will also hear about the House of Beasts, where lions and tigers once fought to entertain the Spanish kings, adding a touch of thrill to the park’s past.

The tour also brings visitors to a monument dedicated to Ramón y Cajal, a Nobel prize-winning neuroscientist known for his revolutionary work. Exploring further, guests might catch sight of peacocks gracefully wandering around a hidden, walled garden tucked away in the far reaches of the park. The serene lake near the Palacio de Cristal is another memorable spot, where Pizarro the elephant used to cool off in the water.

VoiceMap App
Offline access to Audio, Maps, and Geodata
Access to an Audio Tour of El Retiro Park’s Rise, Ruin and Redemption

Gratuities

You need the VoiceMap Audio Tours app in order to use your booking code and complete the trip! You can look for it by searching Google Play or the Apple App Store, or by visiting onelink.to/voicemap on your smartphone.

Next, take these three actions:

1. Register for an account

2. From the menu, choose Tour Codes, and then click Enter Codes.

3. Type in the tour code and choose "Download Now."

Once you've purchased a tour, it will be added to your VoiceMap library. If you sign in to the app using the same method as you did on the website, you'll have access to your entire tour library.
When the download completes, you'll see a screen showing the starting point, with directions to help you get there.
The app will automatically play audio at the right time and place using GPS-based turn-by-turn directions.

Please take the following actions if, after entering your booking code and initiating the download, you are still waiting for it to finish after more than a few minutes:

1) Cancel the download

2) Choose the Purchased tab after going to Account.

3) Select your tour there, then restart the download.

Free WiFi: No.

Wheelchair or Stroller accessible: No.

This is a 2.4km walking tour

Please note that the app will automatically play audio at the right time and place using GPS-based turn-by-turn directions.

Guests have the option to resume the tour from the nearest location whenever they like.

Guests can enjoy the tours as often as they like through both the VoiceMap app and website.

Please note that once the tour is purchased, it’s added to the VoiceMap library.

The VoiceMap app works offline, so you can enjoy your tour without worrying about roaming fees. Simply download the tour over WiFi before you begin.

Guests are advised to stay cautious of pickpockets – they can be discreet, but not harmful.

Major Landmarks: Antiguo Zoo de Madrid, Antigua Casa de las Fieras, Palacio de Cristal, Fuente de las Esfinges, Monument to Santiago Ramón y Cajal, Eugenio Trias Municipal Public Library, Fountain of the Fallen Angel, Great Pond of El Retiro, Ahuehuete de El Parterre, Puerta de Felipe IV, El Retiro Park, El Casón del Buen Retiro, Hall of Realms, San Jerónimo el Real, Monument to Goya, Statue of Jacinto Benavente.

If you're visiting in the summer, try to avoid the extreme heat of the afternoons. If you do venture out, be sure to bring a hat, sunblock, and plenty of water.

The park closes during stormy weather due to safety concerns from falling tree branches. From April to September, it is open from 6:00 AM to midnight, and from October to March, it is open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Disclaimer: The service provider reserves the right to close or cancel certain shows, attractions, entertainments, restaurants, shops or ancillary facilities without notice. There will be no refund provided in that case.

You must cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the start time of the activity/experience to get a complete refund.
If you cancel your booking less than 24 hours before the start time of the activity/experience, you will not be reimbursed.
Any modifications made less than 24 hours before the start time of the activity/experience will not be allowed.
The cut-off times are determined by the activity/experience's local start time.
This activity/experience is weather dependent. If it is cancelled due to inclement weather, you will be given an alternate date or a full refund.