Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Plaza Mayor
- Madrid de los Austrias
- Royal Palace of Madrid (exterior)
- Puerta del Sol
"Above and beyond"
"Carlos was an awesome guide. Encyclopedic knowledge of history, architecture, art. Best of all, he started the tour with a gift - a list of gluten free restaurants for me (celiac). Above and beyond!!! Highly highly recommend a tour with Carlos."
Maria P.
Maria P.
"Interesting and fun"
"Excellent tour! Adam was great. The family thought it was the most interesting and fun tour - perfect mix of history and stories and the pace was great."
Deborah J.
Deborah J.
"A perfect Day One"
"Beatriz did a fantastic job of sharing centuries of Madrid's history in a way that was compelling and easy to understand. We had a great walking tour and overview with her - a perfect Day One introduction to our stay in Madrid."
Karen M.
Karen M.
Photos & Highlights
Tour Description
Join a three-hour guided walking tour through Madrid's medieval heart, where history and stories come alive around every corner. Start your journey alongside a local expert, delving into Madrid's rich past, from its Moorish roots to the Spanish monarchy and the dramatic 20th-century events. Step back in time as you explore, not just through dates and facts, but through the unique stories that give life to the city's monuments and bustling streets.
As you wander through the historic Plaza Mayor, the conversation will bring the era of the Habsburgs vividly to life. Then, you might choose to immerse yourself in Madrid's vibrant culinary scene, perhaps pausing to discuss its iconic Jamon Iberico or visit a local chocolaterÃa.
Conclude your tour at Puerta del Sol, a symbol of Madrid's resilience and spirit. Reflect on the city's journey through historical uprisings and modern commemorations. This tour is more than a walk; it's an invitation to engage with Madrid's story, feeling its pulse and discovering how its celebrated history is intertwined with its dynamic present.
As you wander through the historic Plaza Mayor, the conversation will bring the era of the Habsburgs vividly to life. Then, you might choose to immerse yourself in Madrid's vibrant culinary scene, perhaps pausing to discuss its iconic Jamon Iberico or visit a local chocolaterÃa.
Conclude your tour at Puerta del Sol, a symbol of Madrid's resilience and spirit. Reflect on the city's journey through historical uprisings and modern commemorations. This tour is more than a walk; it's an invitation to engage with Madrid's story, feeling its pulse and discovering how its celebrated history is intertwined with its dynamic present.
Experts
- You're seeking to trace the city's transformation from its Moorish roots through the reign of the Habsburgs to the events that shaped modern Spain.Â
- Walk the unchanged streets of the medieval core and the storied Plaza Mayor, where history feels alive around you.
- You are excited to benefit from the knowledge of a local expert who can provide a deep understanding of Madrid's historical context and contemporary culture.
- And if you're traveling with children under the age of 12, consider our family-oriented Madrid Tour for Kids, which tailors the highlights of Madrid to young imaginations.
- Plaza Mayor: Once an arena for bullfights and executions, it now hosts lively cafes and markets, framed by the historic Casa de la PanaderÃa with its stunning frescoes.
- Madrid de los Austrias: Renowned for its Habsburg architecture, this district retains its medieval street pattern, adding charm to its stately buildings.
- Royal Palace of Madrid (exterior): The current palace stands on the site of a medieval fortress, rebuilt after the original Alcázar was destroyed by fire in 1734.
- Puerta del Sol: The beating heart of Madrid, Puerta del Sol houses "Kilometer Zero," the central point from which all distances in Spain are measured.
General Information
- There will be the opportunity to stop and rest along the way if needed.Â
Resources
- For more information on planning your time in the city, take a read through our Context Stories.Â
- If you are looking to learn more about Madrid prior to a visit, check out our online lectures and audio guides.
AccessibilityÂ
- Please be aware this walking tour includes narrow sidewalks and cobblestone streets which may present challenges for those with mobility concerns.Â
- We encourage you to inform us about any accessibility needs at the time of booking to accommodate you better.
For more information about Context Tours, please visit our FAQs.
When should I take this tour?
We recommend taking this tour early on during your stay in Madrid for a helpful orientation to the city. For comfort, especially in the summer months, a morning start time is advisable to avoid the worst of the heat.
Do tours operate in inclement weather?
Our tours run rain or shine. Please check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes suitable for walking on varied surfaces and don’t forget to bring an umbrella or raincoat if showers are expected.
Does the tour go inside the Royal Palace?
The tour includes an exterior examination of the palace, but it does not go inside. For those interested in exploring the interior, we offer a dedicated Royal Palace of Madrid Tour.
Is this walking tour suitable for children?
We have a family-friendly Madrid for Kids tour specifically designed as part of our Family Program to engage children with the city's history and culture. It’s a shortened version of this itinerary.Â
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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402 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Our guide, Carlos, was extraordinarily wonderful. My wife and I have done context travel tours in many European cities, and they have all exceeded our expectations. I have to say, however, that Carlos was the best guide that we’ve ever had. His pacing of the tour, coupled with his extraordinary knowledge of Madrid’s and Spain’s history, made the tour both enlightening and fascinating. Not only did he provide us with a wonderful understanding of Madrid‘s evolution over the years and remarkable insights into the various churches, monuments and other buildings we visited, he also offered up bits of both humorous and revealing trivia. After our tour, Carlos also followed up with texts highlighting additional places to visit any restaurants to eat at. Our group would give Carlos a six star rating if such a thing was possible. We feel fortunate to have had him as our guide.
Charles
Sep 15, 2024
Adam was so knowledgeable, and had a lovely way of sharing the information. We loved our tour!
Jennifer
Sep 12, 2024
Our intro to Madrid was made so much more special by Mayte’s exceptional skills. Her knowledge of history, and more importantly, unique insights into places off the beaten track made the experience very valuable. Ending our tour with a visit to Casa Lope-de Vega was a hidden gem! Brava Mayte
Gerardo
Sep 5, 2024
