Get a unique glimpse into Madrid's past, tracing its origins back to the Manzanares River, which has supported life here for thousands of years.
Know the tales of meat markets, woolly mammoths, and washerwomen for a native guide.
Stroll through Matadero Madrid, an old slaughterhouse and market now converted into a cultural centre.
Walk along the river and through Madrid Rio Park to Toledo Bridge.
Know about the city’s lesser-known sites including the Obelisco de la Castellana and the Arganzuela Footbridge.
Your guide will tell you about San Isidro, Madrid’s Patron Saint, and His Miraculous Deeds.
Mobile Voucher accepted, no need to take the printed tickets!

Manzanares Rio Park is a lush, green space stretching along the southern edge of Madrid, where ancient history and modern beauty meet. This walking tour takes you away from the busy city center to explore the historic Manzanares River. Learn about Madrid’s origins, from prehistoric wildlife to royal dreams of canal routes, while enjoying the city’s serene riverside parks. This walking tour reveals how the river shaped Madrid and unveils a unique, tranquil side of the city that many visitors miss.

Manzanares Rio Park winds through the southern part of Madrid like a long green ribbon. Although it is one of the city's newest public spaces, it's also where the story of Madrid’s ancient past begins. This is a quieter, lesser-known side of Madrid that most visitors never experience. On this walking tour, you will learn about the park’s history and discover some surprising tales, from the days of meat markets and woolly mammoths to the washerwomen who once worked along the river.

If you are looking for a break from the busy streets of central Madrid, this tour offers a refreshing escape. The journey begins at the Antiguo Depósito de Agua, an old water tower. Then, it moves through Matadero Madrid, a former slaughterhouse and market transformed into a lively cultural center. From there, the walk follows the river through Madrid Rio Park, taking you to Toledo Bridge. As you stroll along, you will dive into 300,000 years of history and get to see some of the city’s hidden treasures, such as the Obelisco de la Castellana (also known as the Obelisk of Arganzuela) and the Arganzuela Footbridge.

During the tour, you will hear stories about the prehistoric animals that once roamed the riverbanks and learn how Madrid’s earliest inhabitants relied on the fertile river for survival. You will also uncover King Felipe II’s ambitious plan to connect Madrid to the Atlantic Ocean with a 20-kilometer canal, a project that never quite came to life. The Obelisco de la Castellana is a tribute to a deposed queen and has been moved several times over the years. Along the way, you will also see statues of San Isidro, Madrid’s patron saint famous for his miraculous deeds, and his wife, Santa Maria. These stories reveal how the riverbank, once a neglected part of the city, was transformed into a green space full of life and natural beauty.

Whether you are new to Madrid, an explorer of the city’s hidden corners, or a local interested in uncovering a different side of your hometown, this tour is a wonderful way to see Madrid from a fresh perspective. In just one hour, you will gain a unique glimpse into the river’s historical importance and its deep connections to the story of Spain’s capital.

VoiceMap App
Offline access to Audio, Maps, and Geodata
Access to an Audio Tour of Manzanares River (Pre history to Popular Park)

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 2.8km 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.

In summers, the sun can be pretty intense, so carrying your own waterbottle and applying sunscreen would be a good idea.

How to reach there?

Exit the station via the Rio exit, and you'll be across from the roundabout to Matadero's main entrance. Cross the Paseo de las Delicias and Paseo de la Chopera roads on your right, heading toward the large water tower with "MATADERO" clearly visible—this marks your starting point.

Nearest Metro Station: legazpi Metro Station on Line 3 (the yellow one) or Line 6 (the grey one).

Major Landmarks: Antiguo Depósito de Agua, Matadero Madrid, Greenhouse Crystal Palace of Arganzuela, Puente de la Presa 8, Madrid Río Beach, Fuente del Obelisco, Obelisco de la Castellana, Toboganes de Madrid Río, Parque Madrid Río, Puente de Arganzuela, Toledo Bridge, Hornacina de Santa María de la Cabeza, Hornacina de San Isidro con su hijo, Hornacina de San Isidro y Santa María de la Cabeza.

Matadero hosts exhibitions and live events that are often free and well worth a visit. It's open daily from 9:00 to 22:00.

Adjacent to Matadero is the Crystal Palace Botanical Garden, a spacious indoor area featuring tropical plants. It is open Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00, and Saturday to Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00.

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.