Madrid Essential Historic Center Tour: Plaza Mayor & Royal Palace
by Tours Madrid | TOURSTILLA
Choose from 5 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€2.99Overview
This walking tour of Madrid’s historic center lasts about two and a half hours and covers essential landmarks including Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and the Royal Palace. A local guide leads the group through streets, alleys, and squares, providing printed materials and visual aids to help follow the route and explain the history of each site. The tour begins at Puerta del Sol, Madrid’s central square, where the group spends about twenty minutes. Here, participants see the Km 0 plaque marking the start of Spain’s radial roads, the Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree symbolizing the city, and the statue of King Carlos III. Next, the tour moves to Plaza Mayor for approximately thirty minutes. This historic square hosted events such as bullfights, carnivals, and the Spanish Inquisition. The guide discusses the history of Madrid and Spain, including Toledo’s role as a former capital, and mentions local specialties like the squid sandwich. The route continues to Arco de Cuchilleros for twenty minutes, where the oldest restaurant in the world and the oldest barbershop in the European Union are located. Then, there is a ten-minute stop at the Arab Wall site, learning about the city’s former Arab and Christian fortifications. A brief five-minute visit follows at a traditional flamenco venue in the historic center, the Tablao Flamenco Arco de Cuchilleros. After that, the tour includes a five-minute stop at La Real Botica de la Reina Madre, Madrid’s oldest business, which features a tunnel connected to the Royal Palace. The group then spends about fifteen minutes at Plaza de la Villa, the city’s first plaza, which includes the old town hall, jail, and the narrowest street. A five-minute visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena comes next; this cathedral was consecrated by Pope John Paul II and is known as a royal wedding venue. The final stop is the Royal Palace of Madrid, where participants have about thirty minutes to explore the exterior areas. Afterward, the group climbs a nearby hill to reach a viewpoint offering broad views over the city. The tour remains outside all buildings, so entry fees are not included. Food and drinks are not provided. Tips for the guide are given at the end of the tour according to satisfaction. After the tour, the guide provides a link with personalized recommendations for things to do in Madrid.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Puerta del Sol
The tour begins at Puerta del Sol, Madrid’s central square known for its New Year’s Eve grape-eating tradition. Here, you see the Km 0 plaque marking the start of Spain’s radial roads, the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree which is a symbol of the city, and the statue of King Carlos III.
20 min
Plaza Mayor
At Plaza Mayor, the city’s former main square, the guide covers its history as a site for bullfights, the Spanish Inquisition, and carnivals. The guide also talks about Madrid’s and Spain’s history, including Toledo’s past as the old capital, and mentions local foods such as the squid sandwich. The stop includes visual materials to help explain the history.
30 min
Arco de Cuchilleros
This stop highlights Arco de Cuchilleros, where visitors see the oldest restaurant in the world and the oldest barbershop in the European Union, both important historic spots in Madrid.
20 min
Arab Wall
The group visits the location of Madrid’s former Arab and Christian city walls, learning about the gates and fortifications that once surrounded the city.
10 min
Tablao Flamenco Arco de Cuchilleros
There is a short introduction to a flamenco venue located in the historic center, presenting a traditional Tablao Flamenco experience.
5 min
La Real Botica de la Reina Madre
This stop shows Madrid’s oldest business, La Real Botica de la Reina Madre, including the tunnel connecting it to the Royal Palace.
5 min
Plaza de la Villa
At Plaza de la Villa, the tour covers Madrid’s first plaza, which housed the old city hall and jail, as well as the narrowest street in the city.
15 min
Catedral de Sta Maria la Real de la Almudena
The group visits Madrid’s Almudena Cathedral, known for its size and as the location of royal weddings, consecrated by Pope John Paul II.
5 min
Royal Palace of Madrid
The tour ends at the Royal Palace, where visitors spend about half an hour. Afterwards, the group climbs a nearby hill to a viewpoint offering extensive views over Madrid.
30 min
Meeting point
In the center of the Puerta del Sol square, right next to the only statue with a horse. Look for the YELLOW AND ORANGE bicolor umbrella. Reference #1: The Puerta del Sol square is the only one with a giant "TIO PEPE" sign.
End point
Royal Palace of Madrid (Only 5 minutes from Puerta del Sol).
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Madrid Essential Historic Center Tour: Plaza Mayor & Royal Palace
by Tours Madrid | TOURSTILLA
Choose from 5 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€2.99Overview
This walking tour of Madrid’s historic center lasts about two and a half hours and covers essential landmarks including Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and the Royal Palace. A local guide leads the group through streets, alleys, and squares, providing printed materials and visual aids to help follow the route and explain the history of each site. The tour begins at Puerta del Sol, Madrid’s central square, where the group spends about twenty minutes. Here, participants see the Km 0 plaque marking the start of Spain’s radial roads, the Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree symbolizing the city, and the statue of King Carlos III. Next, the tour moves to Plaza Mayor for approximately thirty minutes. This historic square hosted events such as bullfights, carnivals, and the Spanish Inquisition. The guide discusses the history of Madrid and Spain, including Toledo’s role as a former capital, and mentions local specialties like the squid sandwich. The route continues to Arco de Cuchilleros for twenty minutes, where the oldest restaurant in the world and the oldest barbershop in the European Union are located. Then, there is a ten-minute stop at the Arab Wall site, learning about the city’s former Arab and Christian fortifications. A brief five-minute visit follows at a traditional flamenco venue in the historic center, the Tablao Flamenco Arco de Cuchilleros. After that, the tour includes a five-minute stop at La Real Botica de la Reina Madre, Madrid’s oldest business, which features a tunnel connected to the Royal Palace. The group then spends about fifteen minutes at Plaza de la Villa, the city’s first plaza, which includes the old town hall, jail, and the narrowest street. A five-minute visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena comes next; this cathedral was consecrated by Pope John Paul II and is known as a royal wedding venue. The final stop is the Royal Palace of Madrid, where participants have about thirty minutes to explore the exterior areas. Afterward, the group climbs a nearby hill to reach a viewpoint offering broad views over the city. The tour remains outside all buildings, so entry fees are not included. Food and drinks are not provided. Tips for the guide are given at the end of the tour according to satisfaction. After the tour, the guide provides a link with personalized recommendations for things to do in Madrid.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Puerta del Sol
The tour begins at Puerta del Sol, Madrid’s central square known for its New Year’s Eve grape-eating tradition. Here, you see the Km 0 plaque marking the start of Spain’s radial roads, the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree which is a symbol of the city, and the statue of King Carlos III.
20 min
Plaza Mayor
At Plaza Mayor, the city’s former main square, the guide covers its history as a site for bullfights, the Spanish Inquisition, and carnivals. The guide also talks about Madrid’s and Spain’s history, including Toledo’s past as the old capital, and mentions local foods such as the squid sandwich. The stop includes visual materials to help explain the history.
30 min
Arco de Cuchilleros
This stop highlights Arco de Cuchilleros, where visitors see the oldest restaurant in the world and the oldest barbershop in the European Union, both important historic spots in Madrid.
20 min
Arab Wall
The group visits the location of Madrid’s former Arab and Christian city walls, learning about the gates and fortifications that once surrounded the city.
10 min
Tablao Flamenco Arco de Cuchilleros
There is a short introduction to a flamenco venue located in the historic center, presenting a traditional Tablao Flamenco experience.
5 min
La Real Botica de la Reina Madre
This stop shows Madrid’s oldest business, La Real Botica de la Reina Madre, including the tunnel connecting it to the Royal Palace.
5 min
Plaza de la Villa
At Plaza de la Villa, the tour covers Madrid’s first plaza, which housed the old city hall and jail, as well as the narrowest street in the city.
15 min
Catedral de Sta Maria la Real de la Almudena
The group visits Madrid’s Almudena Cathedral, known for its size and as the location of royal weddings, consecrated by Pope John Paul II.
5 min
Royal Palace of Madrid
The tour ends at the Royal Palace, where visitors spend about half an hour. Afterwards, the group climbs a nearby hill to a viewpoint offering extensive views over Madrid.
30 min
Meeting point
In the center of the Puerta del Sol square, right next to the only statue with a horse. Look for the YELLOW AND ORANGE bicolor umbrella. Reference #1: The Puerta del Sol square is the only one with a giant "TIO PEPE" sign.
End point
Royal Palace of Madrid (Only 5 minutes from Puerta del Sol).
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.