Madrid Art and Buen Retiro Park Walking Tour
Dip into Madrid’s artistic heritage and magnificent Buen Retiro Park on this 2-hour city walking tour with a knowledgeable guide. Saunter through the Retiro, Madrid’s most popular park, to admire its artificial lake, sculptures and French-style parterre, and see the three great art museums that form the Spanish capital’s ‘Golden Triangle.’ Admire the exteriors of the vast Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofia museums as your guide lifts the lid on their history and priceless collections, including works by greats such as Goya, Velázquez and Picasso. Great for history buffs.
Meet your guide near Plaza de Cibeles in central Madrid, and put on the supplied wireless headphones to ensure you can clearly hear your guide during your tour.
Before you set out, hear how the Spanish capital is one of Europe’s greatest treasure houses of art thanks to its Golden Triangle of galleries: the Prado, one of the world’s premier art museums, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and the Reina Sofia Museum.
Walk first to the Plaza de la Independencia to see the imposing Alcalá Gate (Puerta de Alcalá) that was once the city’s main entrance, and then stroll into the Buen Retiro Park (Parque del Buen Retiro), one of Madrid’s largest green spaces.
Amble along the manicured paths to take in views of the beautiful artificial lake, as well as the statues and geometric parterre garden, as your guide shares insights into the park’s history and design.
Swing past the Casón del Buen Retiro building, the only remnant of the 17th-century Buen Retiro Palace, once a residence of King Philip IV, and admire the Church of San Jeronimos, an ornate chapel where King Juan Carlos was crowned in 1975.
Then, take in the sight of the vast Prado Museum. Snap photos of its sweeping neoclassical façade and hear how it opened in 1819 to display the Spanish royals’ priceless art collection, including works by Velázquez and Goya.
Continue to the nearby Thyssen-Bornemisza, another point in the Golden Triangle. Housing more than 1,000 works, this converted 19th-century building hosts a huge span of medieval and modern art, with masterpieces by Canaletto, Cezanne and Dalí.
Finally, pass by the Reina Sofia, home to works by 20th-century Spanish artists. Learn about the elegant building, a former hospital, and some of its treasures, including Picasso’s legendary Guernica. Your tour then finishes here when your guide departs.
