• Plaza de la Villa - Start your journey in one of Madrid’s most historic squares, where centuries of power and beauty converge. The façades showcase the blend of Mudéjar, Plateresque, and Habsburg architecture, offering a visual narrative of the city’s evolution. Pay attention to the coat of arms of King Charles II, the last Habsburg monarch, intricately carved into the stone — a symbol rich with secrets and marking the end of an era.
• Calle De Codo - Just a short walk from Plaza de la Villa is one of Madrid’s narrowest streets, a quiet curve that still follows the medieval city’s line. Its name, Elbow Street, is derived from its sharp bend. The uneven stones, shadows, and tranquility make it a place where the atmosphere of a bygone Madrid can still be felt.
• Monasterio Del Corpus Christi - Concealed behind an unmarked door, this 17th-century convent of Corpus Christi maintains a way of life that has changed little over four centuries. The cloistered nuns, who seldom see the outside world, bake traditional biscuits known as galletas de las Carboneras. They sell them through a small revolving window — a quiet ritual that links today’s Madrid with its most secret past.
• Basilica de San Miguel - Unexpectedly rising among narrow streets, this 18th-century church brings the theatrical energy of the Baroque to old Madrid. Its curved façade and dramatic proportions were revolutionary at the time, a declaration that faith could also be a spectacle. Built under the Bourbons, it reflects a new vision of beauty and power — lighter, more European — contrasting with the austere spirit of the surrounding Habsburg city.
• El Huerto de Las Monjas - Nestled behind high walls, this secluded convent garden is one of Madrid’s most intimate spots. Once tended by nuns in the 17th century, it remains a rare oasis of silence in the city’s heart. From Monday to Friday, visitors can step inside and experience the calm of another century — on weekends, the gate remains closed, preserving its timeless peace.
• Calle De Rollo Fountain - Discover the Casa a la Malicia. In the 16th century, King Philip II ordered a census to tax every new house built in Madrid. The locals, unwilling to pay more, devised a clever solution: they constructed homes that appeared unfinished from the outside. These “malicious houses” fooled the inspectors and became a small act of civic rebellion — the kind of quiet irony that still defines Madrid’s spirit.
• Plaza de la Cruz Verde - In medieval Madrid, this square was where the Inquisition held public executions before moving them to Plaza Mayor. The green cross that gives the square its name was the emblem of the Inquisition itself — a symbol carried at the head of its solemn processions. Today, peace and silence have replaced those scenes of fear. It’s also a good moment for a short pause: nearby cafés offer coffee and restrooms before continuing the walk through old Madrid.
• Jardin del Principe de Anglona - Hidden behind high brick walls, this 18th-century garden once belonged to the palace of the Prince of Anglona. Its symmetry, shaded benches, and scent of jasmine inspired poets and lovers during the Romantic era, when Madrid began to look at its own ruins with nostalgia. Few places capture that mood so well — the sense of beauty touched by time, where silence itself seems to remember.
• Iglesia de San Pedro El Viejo - Dating back to the 14th century, this modest church is the second-oldest building in Madrid. Its brick tower, with delicate arches and simple geometry, is one of the few remaining examples of mudéjar architecture in the city — Christian in purpose, Islamic in influence. It stands as a silent witness to the centuries.
• Plaza de la Paja - Here, you will see the Vargas Palace. Built in the 16th century, this palace belonged to the influential Vargas family, the feudal lords of Madrid before it became a royal capital. The Vargas played a significant role in the conquest and administration of the Americas, extending their influence far beyond the city walls. According to tradition, San Isidro, now Madrid’s patron saint, worked here as a humble servant. The contrast between the saint’s simplicity and the family’s power reflects Madrid’s dual soul — spiritual and worldly, humble and ambitious.
• Calle De Madrid - La calle de los mancebos, a narrow street lined with ancient stones, still preserves the atmosphere of medieval Madrid. Its name, Mancebos — “young men” — recalls the tragic story of two youths accused of killing a prince who died in 1217. Whether they were guilty or innocent remains uncertain, a mystery that has never been fully solved. Nearby, a 15th-century house and remnants of the Christian wall remind us how legend and history have always intertwined in the city’s oldest heart.
• Jardines de Las Vistillas - From this open terrace, Madrid finally breathes. The Vistillas have always been a place of celebration — where locals gather for festivals, music, and sunsets. From here, the city unfolds toward the Manzanares River and the distant mountains, offering one of its most iconic views. After so many narrow streets and centuries of stone, this is a moment of air and light — the Madrid of joy, of sky, of freedom.
• Calle Mayor - The Palacio de Consejos, built in the early 17th century, reflects the austere style of the Counter-Reformation, where architecture served faith and discipline. Its brick walls and slate spires, typical of Habsburg Madrid, project sobriety rather than opulence — the image of a monarchy that sought moral authority as much as political power. From here, under the Catholic kings’ legacy, the Royal Councils administered the empire, blending religion, governance, and ideology in the very heart of the city.
• Museo de la Catedral de la Almudena - Although it appears ancient, the Cathedral of the Almudena was completed only in the late 20th century. Its neo-Habsburg façade, designed during the Franco era, deliberately imitates the sober architecture of the 17th century to create a sense of historical continuity.
• Royal Palace of Madrid - From this small hill, the Royal Palace reveals its full grandeur — a vast rectangle of white stone rising above the valley of the Manzanares. It was built in the 18th century by the Bourbons to replace the old Alcázar of the Habsburgs, which burned down in 1734. Seen from here, the palace dominates the landscape like an emblem of absolute power, conceived to rival Versailles and proclaim Madrid as the heart of a modern empire. The view is magnificent — one of those moments when history and beauty coincide perfectly.
• Monumento a Filippo IV - At the center of the Plaza de Oriente stands the statue of King Philip IV, one of Madrid’s masterpieces. Cast in bronze in the 17th century, it was the first equestrian statue in the world balanced on its rear legs — a technical miracle achieved with Galileo’s calculations. The king appears calm, almost divine, mastering both horse and destiny. It is the perfect image of Baroque power: art used to express absolute authority, grace, and control.
• Plaza de Isabel II - Conclude the journey here, between the Royal Theatre and the bustling streets of modern Madrid. From the medieval lanes of Plaza de la Villa to the grandeur of the Royal Palace, nearly a thousand years of history have been traversed — faith, art, power, and daily life woven together. This final square marks the meeting point between the old city and the present one, where music replaces prayer and the past still shapes the rhythm of the streets. Thank you for exploring Madrid’s secrets — for seeing not just its monuments, but its soul.

• All Fees and Taxes

• Admission ticket to Royal Palace

We’ll explore notable landmarks as well as some hidden treasures.

Madrid, a fulcrum and reflection of Spain’s history, society, and art - and indeed Europe’s too - will unfold its narrative throughout our journey. From Islamic imprints to the solemn Northern European influences of the Habsburgs and the sophistication of the Bourbons, the city forms a captivating blend of civilizations.

You’ll unearth how a ninth-century fortress transformed into the capital of a colossal empire. In Madrid, remarkable tales emerge at every turn. This metropolis controlled vast territories in America and the rest of the globe, provided the world with some of its most exceptional artists and authors, whilst also grappling with crime, a Napoleonic onslaught, and a Civil War.

My objective is for you to comprehend the profound legacy of some of the most visually impressive and significant spots by the end of our tour. Madrid’s existence is attributed to a range of unforeseen incidents, victories, accomplishments, and paradoxes, resulting in unique urban development, cultural heritage, and influences that have significantly shaped Western culture.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.