Madrid River Park: Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour

Discover Madrid’s hidden history on a self-guided tour along the Manzanares River. Explore centuries-old landmarks and enjoy nature in the city’s newest park.

Duration: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Madrid Rio Park - Embark on an adventure through Madrid Rio Park, a lively public area that traces the serene Manzanares River in the southern part of the city, blending history, nature, and leisure.
  • Parque Madrid Rio - Experience Parque Madrid Río, a contemporary urban park that highlights the growth of Madrid’s capital city along the Manzanares River.
  • River Manzanares - Follow the Manzanares River as it meanders through Madrid Rio Park, uncovering its historical importance and ties to Spain’s heritage.
  • Segovia Bridge - Begin your exploration at the Segovia Bridge, one of Madrid’s oldest bridges, and delve into its rich history and construction.
  • Chapel of the Virgin of the Harbour - Visit the Chapel of the Virgin of the Harbour to learn about its religious importance and the replica statue it houses.
  • Dam N° 5 - Explore Dam N° 5, a historic structure that was vital in the development of Madrid’s waterways and irrigation systems.
  • Madrid Río Sign - Discover the Letters of Madrid, iconic symbols that spell out the city’s name and are a favorite photo spot for visitors.
  • Madrid Río Sign - Capture a photo with the Madrid Rio Sign, a well-known landmark marking the entrance to Madrid Rio Park.
  • Huerta de la Partida - Wander through Huerta de la Partida, a picturesque area within Madrid Rio Park offering stunning views of the surrounding scenery.
  • Mirador De La Huerta De La Partida - Take in the panoramic views of the river valley from Mirador de la Huerta de la Partida, a popular vantage point.
  • Casa de Campo - Discover Casa de Campo, a former royal hunting ground now transformed into one of Madrid’s largest public parks.
  • Fuente de la Buena Suerte - Admire the Fuente de la Buena Suerte, or Fountain of Good Luck, and learn about its role in Madrid’s cultural landscape.
  • Puerta del Río - Pass through the Puerta del Río, or Gate of the River, and explore its historical role as an entry and defense point for Madrid.
  • Puente del Rey - Conclude your tour at the Bridge of the King, a historic bridge spanning the Manzanares River, offering breathtaking views of Madrid Rio Park.
What's Included
  • Unlimited, lifetime use of the tour
  • Virtual playback option to listen like an audiobook
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Self-guided GPS tour for flexible exploration
  • Directions to the starting point
What's Not Included
  • Smartphone and headphones
Additional Information

On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll leaf through centuries of history in one of the capital’s newest public parks

Parque Madrid Río (meaning Madrid River Park) follows the gentle flow of the Manzanares River through the southern part of the city, like a green ribbon. It’s one of the city’s newest public spaces, yet it’s packed with some of its most important historical places.

You’ll walk along the river’s edge to Puente del Rey and take a trip through time, hearing about the Spanish Golden Age of the 1500s, the Civil War of the 1930s, and, eventually, the present day.

This hour-long walk will introduce you to the river’s fascinating links with the last 500 years of Spanish history, while you enjoy local wildlife and nature along the way. It’s a side of the city that’s popular with locals, but which few visitors ever get to see. So, if you’d like to take a break from Madrid’s bustling city centre, this tour is perfect for you!

  • Please bring your own smartphone and headphones
Location
Puente de Segovia - Paseo de Extremadura
The starting point is the Segovia Bridge, on the south bank of the Manzanares river. The starting point is the corner of Paseo de Extremadura and Paseo de Ermita Santo Madrid, 28011. The starting point is the Matadero Centre, Plaza de Legazpi, 8, 28045 Madrid.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
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Bezbezson
May 10, 2024
Excellent tour of this part of the rio - This is the second self-guided tour of the Madrid rio (the Manzanares river) from VoiceMap Madrid that I've done and I've been very impressed with both. Distance-wise, this is the shorter of the two, but don't think that this means it's any less value for money, because it's not! You'll get plenty of entertainment and interesting facts about the history of the river. Very little of this tour overlaps with the previous one, so if you have the time it's well worth doing both. Having said that, no prior knowledge is assumed, or needed, so it works brilliantly as a stand-alone tour too! The focus of this tour is on the last 500 years, from Madrid becoming the capital city, to the present day. Since this is a part of the city that many tourists never visit, you'll be getting something unique, but even locals are likely to learn several things here. I've lived about 20 minutes walk from the Manzanares since 2018 and always enjoyed walking in the park along it, but now I have a much greater understanding of the historical context of it, thanks to these walking tours. If the guide ever produces a third audio tour, I guarantee that it'll be something I'll download as soon as I'm able!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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October 2024
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