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Madrid’s Golden Age: History along the Manzanares River
5.0
1 Rating
Madrid
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:
1 day
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Highlights
- Madrid Rio Park - 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 - Discover Parque Madrid Río, a modern urban park that showcases the evolution of Madrid’s capital city alongside the Manzanares River.
- River Manzanares - Follow the Manzanares River’s path as it winds through Madrid Rio Park, learning about its historical significance and connection to Spain’s fortunes.
- Segovia Bridge - Start your journey next to the Segovia Bridge, one of Madrid’s oldest bridges, and uncover the secrets of its history and construction.
- Chapel of the Virgin of the Harbour - Explore the Chapel of the Virgin of the Harbour and learn about its religious significance and the replica statue it houses.
- Dam N° 5 - Discover Dam N° 5, a historical structure that played a crucial role in the development of Madrid’s waterways and irrigation systems.
- Madrid Río Sign - Encounter the Letters of Madrid, iconic symbols that spell out the city’s name and serve as a popular photo spot for visitors.
- Madrid Río Sign - Pose for a photo with the Madrid Rio Sign, a recognizable landmark that marks the entrance to Madrid Rio Park.
- Huerta de la Partida - 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 - Enjoy panoramic views of the river valley from Mirador de la Huerta de la Partida, a popular lookout point.
- Casa de Campo - Learn about Casa de Campo, a historical royal hunting ground that has been transformed into one of Madrid’s largest public parks.
- Fuente de la Buena Suerte - Marvel at the Fuente de la Buena Suerte, or Fountain of Good Luck, and discover its significance within Madrid’s cultural landscape.
- Mansion of the Vargas - Discover the Mansion of the Vargas, another historical landmark with ties to Spanish nobility and intrigue.
- Puerta del Río - 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 - 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.
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
5.0
(1 Rating)
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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
