Be aware that the Palacio gets very hot inside - it was built as a greenhouse, after all.
Buen Retiro Park has a long history as a venue for extravagant exhibitions and shows. In 1887, during the early days of its official ownership by the public, the park played host to an exhibition of the Philippine Islands, which were a Spanish colony at the time.
Architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco - also responsible for the park’s Palacio de Velázquez - created a greenhouse to house indigenous flowers brought over from the Philippines. The exhibition extended into the park, and included a recreation of a Filipino village.
Originally intended to be disassembled and moved to another site, the Palacio de Cristal has remained here ever since, alongside its accompanying artificial lake, which like Estanque del Retiro is teeming with fish and terrapins, as well as a few black swans. Inspired by London’s Crystal Palace, the building takes the shape of a Greek cross and is made almost entirely of glass set in an iron framework, atop a brick base decorated with ceramics.
Colonial exhibitions are a thing of the past. No longer a greenhouse, the Palacio de Cristal is now used as a venue by the Museo Reina Sofia for temporary art exhibitions. A recent show by conceptual artist Kimsooja saw the building transformed into a surreal palace of rainbows using a diffractive covering on the glass. Whether or not there’s anything on, the palace is a wonderful sight, making for excellent photo opportunities in the forested peace and quiet of the park.
Embark on a 3-hour tour of the most emblematic and beautiful places in Madrid, see the most popular highlights of Spain’s stunning capital city, and discover what makes the city so special.
On your private tour, you will:
Madrid is a city of vast plazas, elegant boulevards, magnificent palaces, awe-inspiring Gothic churches, world-renowned art museums and vibrant, delicious food markets. It is also famous for its many green spaces and manicured parks.
This half-day welcome tour of Madrid is the perfect way to get familiarised with the city's history, culture, and architecture. It will take you through some of the most iconic places in Madrid, including the Plaza de Oriente, Teatro Real, Palacio Real, Catedral de la Almudena, Mercado de San Miguel, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, El Oso y el Madroño, Puerta de Alcalá, and the Parque del Retiro, one of Madrid's most beautiful parks.
Along the way, you'll learn about the significance and history of each landmark, and gain insight into what makes Madrid such a special and unique city, and by the end of the tour, you'll have gained a deeper appreciation for Madrid's rich history and culture and a greater understanding of why the city has become such a popular destination.
Explore the highlights of Madrid, Spain’s historic, vibrant and beautiful capital city on this half-day private walking tour, including entrance to the iconic Prado Museum.
On your private tour, you will:
Madrid, Spain's stunning capital, is a vibrant city famous for its elegant boulevards and vast, dazzling Plazas like the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, in the heart of old Hapsburg Madrid. You’ll see vibrant food markets, awe-inspiring cathedrals, and statues of famous Spaniards.
The city is also very green with expansive, manicured parks such as the Parque el Retiro, where you will enjoy a stroll along as you bask in the sunny Spanish climate under fabulous blue skies!
Spain has one of the oldest and proudest royal families in Europe, and it remains a working monarchy to this day. Learn all about the history of the Spanish royals, like Ferdinand and Isabella, Philip II and many others, whilst standing in front of the magnificent Royal Palace.
The city is also famous for being a cultural hub and is home to several museums – the most famous of which is of course the Prado, and your half-day highlights tour includes a fully guided tour of this repository of the best of Spanish art. Admire works by Goya and Velazquez, Bosch and El Greco among others – and let your guide know if you have any favourites or “must-sees”.
You will end your tour inside the Prado to continue exploring at your leisure, explore the gift shop and enjoy a well-earned coffee break at the café.
Retiro Park is one of the largest green spaces in Madrid and certainly the most beloved by locals and travellers alike. With a history spanning over 500 years, there is much to discover within its beautifully landscaped grounds. On our 1.5-hour private tour of El Retiro, you will explore the most interesting corners of the park with a knowledgeable local guide, who can immerse you in this iconic urban oasis and point out the main highlights and the hidden details that many visitors miss.
On this 1.5-hour private tour, you will:
Our tour of Retiro Park provides an invigorating outdoor adventure in the heart of Madrid where you will enjoy a charming combination of history, art, and nature in the company of a passionate local guide. Your journey will begin at the Puerta Real (Royal Gate) one of the elaborate entrances that line the perimeter of the park. As you begin to explore some of Retiro’s tranquil pathways, your guide will bring the park’s transformation to life, recounting its evolution from a private sanctuary of the Habsburg dynasty to the cherished public space it is today.
While the exact route around the park may vary depending on the interests of the group and the conditions on the day, you will be sure to visit the Estanque Grande, the large and imposing pond that forms the park’s centrepiece. You’ll observe rowboats gently glide across the sparkling waters and hear compelling performances from musicians who often gather around the edges. Your guide will also show you the monumental Alfonso XII colonnade—a grand semicircular structure that frames the top of the pond. You’ll learn how it stands as a monument to a fallen king as well as a testament to Spanish architectural elegance.
Throughout your time together, your guide will point out sculptures, fountains, and other features that showcase the park’s artistic and historical depth, as well as its role in the daily life of modern Madrileños. You will likely spend some time wandering the manicured paths of the Parterre Garden, a floral paradise filled with symmetrical hedges, fragrant blooms, and one of the oldest trees in Madrid. Here your guide will recount the history behind these formal French-style gardens and the artistry involved in their design. At the foot of the gardens, you can also contemplate the Gate of Philip IV, an ornate Baroque entrance once reserved for royalty.
As you venture deeper into the park, you will get a closer look at the breathtaking Crystal Palace, a masterpiece of 19th-century architecture. Made entirely of glass and iron, this stunning pavilion was once used to display exotic flora and now serves as a striking venue for contemporary art exhibitions managed by the Reina Sofía Museum. Your guide will help you discover its artistic heritage and the story of its construction. Beyond the park’s main attractions, your guide will lead you to lesser-known corners, where you’ll find intriguing relics of the past like the Royal Astronomical Observatory, an elegant neoclassical structure tied to Madrid’s scientific history.
Your tour will end at one of the park’s most infamous monuments, the Fountain of the Fallen Angel, where your guide will explain how this depiction of Lucifer is unique in the world and offer recommendations for exploring the park or nearby charming neighbourhoods. By the end of your journey, you’ll not only have seen the best of Retiro Park but also gained a true appreciation for its place in Madrid’s heart and history.
Join the fastest growing community of professional tour guides.
Use our easy to integrate toolset to include Tours & Attractions in your customer journey.