Retiro Park Guided Walking Tour

The Retiro began life as a royal retreat for the Habsburg kings and only opened to the public in the 19th century. Today it is where Madrid comes to jog, row, picnic and people-watch. Your guide leads you past the monument to Alfonso XII on the Great Pond, through the rose garden and to the Crystal Palace, a glass pavilion built for an 1887 exhibition.

Along the way you’ll hear about the park’s royal past, its statues and fountains, including one often said to depict the devil, and the palaces that once stood here. It’s a gentle way to spend a morning or late afternoon.