Tales of the Old Town: A Madrid Walking Tour with Context

Discover Spain’s glorious royal heritage as you trace Madrid’s evolution through the centuries.

On this walking tour, Context Travel expert, Carlos Schwab, will guide you on a journey through the city’s Habsburg and Bourbon periods. You’ll hear how Charles III, the unparalleled Bourbon king, transformed Madrid’s Old Town. He introduced public hospitals, illuminated the streets, and created architectural marvels like Puerta de Alcalá (Alcala Gate), the fountains of Neptune and Cibeles, and expansive avenues that continue to grace the cityscape. You’ll also learn about the Habsburg Dynasty and why the monarchs in this era were called “the Austrias”, during a time when Spain held vast territories and commanded empires. I’ll also tell you about the Golden Age that followed, a period that was marked by opulence, despite political setbacks.

Starting in front of the statue of Isabel II next to Teatro Real opera house, you’ll wind your way through the Old Town, taking in its monuments and architectural heritage. As you make your way past the Royal Palace of Madrid, you’ll see some of the 20 sculptures representing the first goths and Visigoth kings in Spain, including the world’s first equestrian statue, depicting Felipe IV. Carlos will show you the beautiful Catedral de la Almudena and its museum, Palacio de los Concejos (Count Uceda’s Palace), and the Church of Corpus Christi. He’ll point out Centro Sefarad-Israel, an ancient palace now used for Sephardic studies. As you make your way to Chocolatería San Ginés, a 100-year-old chocolate store where our tour ends, you’ll pass through historical squares including Plaza Ramales, Plaza de la Vila, and the popular Plaza Mayor.

On this tour of the historical center of Madrid, you’ll:

• Learn about Charles III, considered the best Bourbon king that Spain ever had, thanks to all the work he did for the city
• Gaze upon remnants of the Arabic walls, a symbol of Madrid’s history atop the hill, and a testament to the city’s resilience through the ages
• Visit Madrid’s Times Square, the neoclassical Puerta del Sol, once a city gate and today a hub for food merchants and social gatherings
• Indulge in local delights, from secret cookies made by cloistered nuns to calamari sandwiches, and find delicious tapas at Mercado de San Miguel, a fresh food market
• Discover a hidden art gallery in the Church of Saint Genesius
• Get a sneak preview into the treasures that can be discovered inside the Prado Museum, where Antonio Joli’s masterpiece depicts the Spanish Fleet’s departure from Naples
• Find out how the Royal Palace was reconstructed after a fire, inspired by French architecture and famous Italian architect, Filippo Juvara, who died before it was complete
• Delve into the tragic history of the Jews when Catholic rulers, King Fernando and Queen Isabelle, gave the order to expel the Jews from Spain unless they agreed to convert in 1492
• Decode the symbolism of Madrid’s emblems, the bear and the tree

Join us on this odyssey, where history breathes, art resonates, and the pulse of Madrid’s heritage echoes through time. On this walking tour, you’ll see how Spain’s regal past and vibrant present have been artfully woven together. This is a voyage you wouldn’t want to miss!