Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- Plaza Mayor
- Madrid de los Austrias
- Royal Palace of Madrid (exterior)
- Puerta del Sol
Photos & Highlights
- Trace Madrid's evolution by visiting famous sites from it's Moorish roots to 20th-century events.
- A private tour for you and your party, led by an expert specializing in Spanish and Madrilean history.
Select a date
Tour Description
Join a three-hour guided Madrid city tour through its 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 chocolatería.
Conclude your city 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, feel its pulse and discover 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 chocolatería.
Conclude your city 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, feel its pulse and discover how its celebrated history is intertwined with its dynamic present.
Experts
"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.
- 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.
- 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 Panadería 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.
Resources
- For more information on planning your time in the city, take a read through our Context Stories.
- If you are looking to learn more about Madrid prior to a visit, check out our online lectures and audio guides.
Accessibility
- Please be aware this walking tour includes narrow sidewalks and cobblestone streets which may present challenges for those with mobility concerns.
- 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.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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493 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.
We were a group of four and Almudena kept us interested and involved for the whole walk. It was fun, full of facts and gave us an opportunity to see parts of Madrid in an historical context that we could easily have missed. We were very lucky and due to Almudena's contacts were able to see inside a convent and a restaurant that would have been inaccessible to us at that time without her.
We were all impressed with the effort she had gone to with the additional documentation she provoded to contextualise the history she telling us about. We all enjoyed her engaging way throughout the walk. We would attend another of these walks when we next return to Spain.
Stephanie
Reviewed on:
Aug 30, 2011
She is a wonderful guide. She has an excellent knowledge of history of Spain and the city which she mixes in with stories. Her time with us in the Prado was wonderful for the children. She engaged them explained things to them in a way that excited them.
During our walk in the city, she took us to a number of interesting and off the beaten path spots provided us with more flavor of the history of Spain and Madrid.
My one issue is whether I would have switched the order of the tour had I known what we might cover outside of the Prado.
Thank you
Philip
Reviewed on:
Aug 15, 2011
Andrea was an excellent docent and taught us an enormous amount about Madrid during the tour. She was very knowledgeable about the city and its history and quite helpful with "inside tips" about what to see and do there. We only had the opportunity to have a brief stay In Madrid and she helped us make the most of it. By keeping the tour to a fairly small physical area, she was able to focus upon the most interesting highlights of the historical district and really bring them to life. We would very highly recommend Andrea and this Context tour.
Leslie
Reviewed on:
Jul 12, 2011
