Live Tours are carried out by our hosts, who are outdoors, on location and connected live to you via video call at all times.
- LanguagesEnglish, Spanish, French
- Duration60 Minutes
Half the size of NY’s Central Park, El Retiro is an oasis at the very heart of the bustling city of Madrid. Imagine walking through a park that hides the only statue in the world devoted to the “fallen angel” or a crystal palace from the 19th century that used to showcase exotic plants from the Philippines. Nowadays the old greenhouse is an art hall and the perfect spot for kids to feed ducks, fishes, and turtles.
El Retiro was conceived to delight royals and courtesans alike, that is why it boasts a grand lake where they used to play fake navy battles. Nowadays it reflects the magnificent monument of king Alfonso the 12th on horseback and giant mermaids playing musical instruments. The park has a certain old-time elegance, blending statues of artists, poets and generals with quaint open-air cafes. Runners and families come here often to enjoy the clean air and the spontaneous shows of musicians and street artists.
But the true protagonist here is nature: from capriciously carved cypress trees to centenarian trees brought from the Americas, not to mention the delightful rose garden. So, put your most comfortable shoes on and let’s walk it all!
Features
Extras
Video
Location
Add Review
Hosted By Manuel
I have spent half of my life moving from place to place: Europe, the US, Latin America, Asia and Africa. Being a born nomad has made me very curious, always investigating and learning new things. I am also deeply passionate about art, history and architecture. Notwithstanding, I am also a foodie, and a wine and nature lover.
I got my bachelor's degree at the American University (Washington DC) and a MBA at Schiller International University (London). My first job was at the Spanish embassy in Stockholm (Sweden). After a sabbatical year in South East Asia I came back to Spain. But I still had the travelling itch, so I worked as a business reporter all over the world and then as a travel writer.
After getting married, I settled down in Madrid. When my kids became a bit older, I became a tour guide: the job of my life! It allows me to show people beautiful places with a different perspective, to discover hidden gems and to unfold fantastic stories. Besides guiding I also paint watercolors of what catches my attention through the course of my travels.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.