A Self-Guided Tour of El Retiro Park’s Rise, Ruin and Redemption
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
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
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Smartphone and headphones
Meeting Location
Calle de Felipe IV
s/n, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
Plaza del Conde de Barajas
Centro, 28005 Madrid, Spain
The tour ends at the Angel Caido.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Monument to Goya (pass by)
San Jerónimo el Real (pass by)
Royal Palace of Madrid (pass by)
El Cason del Buen Retiro (pass by)
El Retiro Park
45 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Puerta de Felipe IV (pass by)
Great Pond of El Retiro (pass by)
Fountain of the Fallen Angel (pass by)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the A Self-Guided Tour of El Retiro Park’s Rise, Ruin and Redemption?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-110804P707
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 3 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET).
- 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.
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start.
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour.
- Smartphone and headphones.
The minimum age to participate is 6..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the A Self-Guided Tour of El Retiro Park’s Rise, Ruin and Redemption is as follows:
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for A Self-Guided Tour of El Retiro Park’s Rise, Ruin and Redemption will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What'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
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Smartphone and headphones
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
