Madrid’s Golden Age: History along the Manzanares River

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Smartphone and headphones

Overview

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!

Meeting points

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.

End point

Open in Google Maps

The tour ends at Puente del Rey, otherwise known as The Bridge of the King.

Itinerary

Madrid Rio Park (Pass By)

Begin your exploration of Madrid Rio Park, a vibrant public space that follows the gentle flow of the Manzanares River through the southern part of the city, offering a mix of history, nature, and recreation.
Parque Madrid Rio (Pass By)

Discover Parque Madrid Río, a modern urban park that showcases the evolution of Madrid's capital city alongside the Manzanares River.
River Manzanares (Pass By)

Follow the Manzanares River's path as it winds through Madrid Rio Park, learning about its historical significance and connection to Spain's fortunes.
N/A (Pass By)

Start your journey next to the Segovia Bridge, one of Madrid's oldest bridges, and uncover the secrets of its history and construction.
N/A (Pass By)

Explore the Chapel of the Virgin of the Harbour and learn about its religious significance and the replica statue it houses.
N/A (Pass By)

Discover Dam N° 5, a historical structure that played a crucial role in the development of Madrid's waterways and irrigation systems.
N/A (Pass By)

Encounter the Letters of Madrid, iconic symbols that spell out the city's name and serve as a popular photo spot for visitors.
N/A (Pass By)

Pose for a photo with the Madrid Rio Sign, a recognizable landmark that marks the entrance to Madrid Rio Park.
N/A (Pass By)

Explore Huerta de la Partida, a scenic area within Madrid Rio Park offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Mirador De La Huerta De La Partida (Pass By)

Enjoy panoramic views of the river valley from Mirador de la Huerta de la Partida, a popular lookout point.
Casa de Campo (Pass By)

Learn about Casa de Campo, a historical royal hunting ground that has been transformed into one of Madrid's largest public parks.
N/A (Pass By)

Marvel at the Fuente de la Buena Suerte, or Fountain of Good Luck, and discover its significance within Madrid's cultural landscape.
N/A (Pass By)

Discover the Mansion of the Vargas, another historical landmark with ties to Spanish nobility and intrigue.
N/A (Pass By)

Pass by the Puerta del Río, or Gate of the River, and learn about its historical significance as a point of entry and defence for Madrid.
Puente del Rey (Pass By)

End your tour at the Bridge of the King, a historic bridge that spans the Manzanares River and offers stunning views of Madrid Rio Park.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please bring your own smartphone and headphones

Free Cancellation

April 26100% refund

April 27No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Reviews

5.0

1 review

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

1
4 stars

0
3 stars

0
2 stars

0
1 star

0

We perform checks on reviews

We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-1 of 1 reviews with 5 stars

Excellent tour of this part of the rio

Published on May, 2024

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!