Half-Day in Madrid with Royal Palace, Retiro Park, and Tapas

Royal Palace of Madrid with Retiro Park and Tapas Tour Description

Your 5-hour small group tour includes:

• Highlights tour of Retiro Park with fountains and Palacio de Cristal

• Free time for lunch (not included)

• Skip-the-line Royal Palace of Madrid tickets

• Guided tour of the palace and palace gardens

• Discover Spanish history and iconic art by Goya, Velasquez, and more

• Tapas tasting with wine at the end of the tour

• Friendly and knowledgeable English-speaking guide

• Maximum group size of 30

Explore the Crystal Palace, Fountains, and the Beauty of Retiro Park

Your tour begins by the gates of Madrid's historic central park, built in the 17th century and covering 118 hectares of lush green space in heart of the Spanish capital. On this fascinating walking tour, your guide will show you the park's landscaped marvels and you'll encounter treasures such as the Crystal Palace and remains of Spanish Romanesque hermitage at the Palaces of San Pelayo and San Isidoro.

Take in the elaborate fountains and the beautiful pond at the center of the park where row boats cruise along the picturesque landscape. But this isn't just a walk in the park! Your local guide is here to help you understand the significance of the sites you see and their importance to Madrid and Spanish history, including the royal statues of Paseo de las Estatuas and the mammoth King Alfonso XII memorial.

Free Time for Lunch

Following your tour of the Retiro Park, you'll have a break where you can buy lunch at a number of delicious nearby restaurants. Afterwards, you'll meet back at Plaza de Isabel II to begin your tour to the incredible Royal Palace of Madrid. Your guide will lead you to the entrance where you'll be able to skip past the admission line and start exploring.

Lunch is not included, but your guide will be able to offer some great local restaurant recommendations.

Royal Palace of Madrid

Built in the 18th century and still the largest palace in Western Europe, Madrid's royal residence is a sight to behold and a testament to the vast wealth and colonial power that Spain accumulated through its past. The royal family no longer live here full time and the Palacio Real is now reserved for major state events, but history flows from the walls of over 3,000 rooms, including Stradivarius Hall and the Throne Room.

Once inside the palace, you'll head up the stairs into the impressive royal collections. See paintings by Goya and Velazquez, including many great portraits from when Goya was the premier painter in the Spanish Court. These paintings commissioned by the king include Charles IV in Hunting Dress and María Luisa Wearing a Mantilla. Make sure you gaze upward to take in the stunning frescoes by the Venetian artist Tiepolo.

There is more than just paintings here. This guided tour helps you see and understand the extensive collections of historic tapestries, ornate swords, armor, and even incredible ancient watches.

Authentic Spanish Tapas

After the tour, your guide will lead you to one of Madrid's most historic tapas bars. After a day on your feet, you'll love being able to sample delicious wines with the finger foods Spain is so famous for. There's nothing like jamón serrano, a classic tortilla, and a glass of rioja to top off an amazing day in the Spanish capital!