Castles · Tour
Madrid from the 9th-Century Wall to the Palace: Why It Was Called Magerit
Two and a half hours across the old centre of Madrid, from the Puerta del Sol to the viewpoint beside the Royal Palace, on foot with a local guide. The route is the standard one on paper: Sol, the Plaza Mayor, the San Miguel market, the Plaza de la Villa, the Arab wall, the Almudena cathedral, the palace and the Teatro Real. What is not standard is the beginning of the story. Madrid is one of the few European capitals that was founded by Muslims rather than Romans, and the oldest thing in the city is a stretch of 9th-century wall behind the cathedral. The guide explains what stood here before Castile arrived and why the place was called Magerit. After that the rest of the walk reads as a sequence rather than a list, because every stop is a later layer on the same ground. Groups run to a maximum of 25 per guide. Printed material and an illustrated map of Madrid are handed out, and a personalised guide to the city arrives by WhatsApp when you book. At the end the guide gives the recommendations for eating and drinking that are worth more than most of what is written down. The Royal Palace is seen from outside: the facade, the gardens and the terrace above the city.
What's included
- Personalized guide to Madrid by WhatsApp (when booking)
- Local professional guide, expert in Madrid history
- Exclusive printed matter and illustrated map
- Restaurant recommendations and plans at completion
Itinerary
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Prta del Sol, 1, Madrid
Puerta del Sol, next to the statue of the Bear and the Madroño, North side in front of the Apple Store. Find our UMBRELLA COMPLETELY YELLOW — we will recognize you instantly even if the square is full. Trouble? Write to us by WhatsApp and help you in the moment.
Puerta del Sol
The centre of Madrid: the Km 0 marker every road in Spain is measured from, the clock that rings the twelve grapes on New Year's Eve, and the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree. The square goes back to the 15th century, and the buildings around it carry more than they show.
Plaza Mayor
The best known square in Madrid, and the stage for bullfights, for the autos-da-fé of the Spanish Inquisition and for royal proclamations. Four hundred years of history, much of it grim, in the same stones.
Mercado San Miguel
One of the finest iron-framed markets left in Europe, built in 1916. Its history and its architecture, and where to start if you want to go in and eat something.
Plaza de la Villa
The political centre of medieval Madrid and the oldest square in the city, with three centuries of architecture facing each other: Gothic, Plateresque and Baroque.
Arab Wall
The oldest thing left in Madrid, from the 9th century. Original fragments of the wall the city was founded behind, and the story of why it was called Magerit.
The only cathedral in Madrid, consecrated by John Paul II
The only cathedral in Madrid, consecrated by John Paul II and the setting for the wedding of Felipe VI and Letizia. Its full history, and the details almost nobody knows.
Costo extra
Royal Palace of Madrid
The largest royal palace in western Europe: the facade, the gardens and the kings who lived here. The walk ends at the viewpoint with the best views over Madrid.
Costo extra
Teatro Real
One of the most important opera houses in Europe and the oldest performing arts institution in Spain. The tour finishes with its facade and its history.
Costo extra
Madrid
Not included
- Tip to guide (delivered at completion to satisfaction)
- Entrance fees to monuments (completely outside tour)
- Food or drinks
Good to know
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
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- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Up to 15 travelers per booking.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Guiding available in: en, it, fr, es.
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