Half-Day in Madrid with Royal Palace, Retiro Park, and Tapas
Skip the line at the opulent palace, explore the scenic park, and taste local Spanish specialties
Want to discover the historic beauty that lies in central Madrid? Then join a passionate local guide for on journey through the landscaped wonders and monuments of El Retiro, then walk in the footsteps of the monarchy in the magnificent Royal Palace of Madrid. Along the way, you’ll delve into centuries of history and see iconic art by the likes of Goya and Velasquez, before finishing your tour in the classic Spanish way—with traditional tastings and wine at a much-loved local tapas bar!
- Royal Palace & Retiro Park walking tour
- Discover Madrid's stunning central park
- Admire the Palacio de Cristal
- Explore iconic fountains and gardens
- Enter the grand Royal Palace of Madrid
- Visit the Throne Room, Banquet Hall, Royal Apartments and more
- View artwork by Goya and Velasquez
- Tapas tasting at one of Madrid's great restaurants
Your day begins in Independence Plaza near the entrance to Retiro Park. Your friendly local guide will be waiting to greet you and they'll describe the itinerary for your small group adventure through Madrid. Discover the highlights of gorgeous Retiro Park and enjoy free time for lunch, before skipping the line for an expertly guided tour of the grand Royal Palace. Afterwards, you'll be treated to a tapas tasting experience before setting off to enjoy the rest of your evening in Madrid.
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!
What you get with this tour
See what people are saying
3 total reviews
Leave a reviewWas unable to find the tapas location
Anthony Pamplin Jr
The Retiro park was amazing! The royal palace was amazing! I wasn’t able to find the tapas location so didn’t get to try the tapas…but I will not be doing anymore food tours through this company given my experience when attending another tapas tour.
Perfect Day in Madrid
Amanda Young
We're so happy we booked this tour. Our guide was excellent and we would never have been able to accomplish this much on our own. This was my favorite thing we did on our 10 day trip to Spain.
Wonderful tours but not what we expected
Susan Purcell
This half-day tour was fun but we weren't prepared for it to be three separate events with a requirement to obtain your own transportation between events. First was Retiro Park with David, who did an excellent job showing us this spectacular park. Thos of us going to the Royal Palace, were told how to catch a taxi to the meeting point, at our expense of course. At the Royal Palace, we had another excellent tour guide, Alex. Most enjoyable tour as well. At the end of this, we were given directions to the restaurant honoring the tapas experience. We had an hour available to use this feature and it was unaccompanied. The tapas experience was a fixed plate with a number of excellent tapas. All in all, these three experiences were fun but disjointed. Not sure we would have signed up had we known.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
This is a walking tour, so wear some comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water too. You'll also need sunscreen in summer months since much of the tour is outdoors.
What to bring?
This is a walking tour, so wear some comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water too. You'll also need sunscreen in summer months since much of the tour is outdoors.
Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?
No, it's run by one of our trusted partners in Madrid.
What if I’m concerned about my mobility?
This walking tour covers some distance and you may encounter uneven surfaces and stairs along the way. If you have concerns about your mobility, please contact our team before booking.
Is lunch included?
Lunch is not included, but your guide will be able to offer some great local restaurant recommendations.
What if I have food allergies, intolerances, or other requirements?
Please contact us in advance so we can do our best to accommodate your needs. We will work with our tour partners to provide you an alternative when possible.
Is tapas and wine included?
Yes, after visiting the palace you'll enjoy a tasting session with tapas and wine (soft drinks also available).