Habsburg Old Town, Royal Palace Evening Walking Tour

Highlights

• Walk Madrid de los Austrias after the daytime crowds have gone
• See Plaza Mayor, completed in 1619, and hear what took place under its arcades
• Visit Plaza de la Villa and its medieval landmarks
• See the façades of the Almudena Cathedral and the Royal Palace under floodlight
• See Spain's kilometre zero marker at Puerta del Sol

Description

Meet your guide at Puerta del Sol in the evening, once the shops have closed, and walk for ninety minutes through the oldest part of Madrid. This is the district known as Madrid de los Austrias, laid out while the Habsburg dynasty ruled Spain, and the start time follows sunset through the year so that the main squares are seen as the street lighting comes on. You begin at the kilometre zero marker set into the pavement at Puerta del Sol, next to the statue of the bear and the strawberry tree that appears on the city's coat of arms. From there you walk to Plaza Mayor, completed in 1619 by Juan Gómez de Mora and rebuilt after three fires. Your guide explains what took place under its arcades: royal proclamations, bullfights, and the public sentences of the Spanish Inquisition. The route continues past the exterior of Mercado de San Miguel and into Plaza de la Villa, one of the oldest surviving corners of the city, where the former town hall stands beside the 16th-century Casa de Cisneros and the 15th-century Torre de los Lujanes. In the evening the square is free of the terraces that fill it during the day. You then reach the façade of the Almudena Cathedral, a building site for nearly 110 years and consecrated in 1993, facing the Royal Palace across Calle de Bailén. The tour ends in front of the palace and on Plaza de Oriente, where your guide explains why Spanish monarchs long preferred El Escorial and Aranjuez to this residence, and points out the statues of Visigothic and Asturian kings that line the square. All buildings are seen from the outside, from public streets and squares. No entrance tickets are required and none are included. Start times change through the year to follow sunset, so please check the time shown for your chosen date when booking. The tour ends within walking distance of Metro Ópera and of the bars and restaurants of La Latina, so it works as an opening to the evening rather than as a full evening out.

Includes

Ninety-minute guided evening walking tour in English Live guide throughout the tour Expert commentary

Excludes

Entrance to any museum, monument, church or building Hotel pick-up and drop-off Gratuities

Important Information

• This is an outdoor evening walking tour covering about 2 km at a relaxed pace All buildings are seen from the outside; no entrance tickets are needed or included Start times follow sunset and change through the year; check the time shown for your date The route includes cobbled streets and a gentle slope down towards the Royal Palace Wear comfortable shoes and bring a layer, as central Madrid cools down quickly after dark The route may be adjusted because of street works, demonstrations or public events

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund