Medieval Madrid: Plaza Mayor, Arab Wall and Temple of Debod
Description
Explore ancient Madrid on a 2.5-hour walking tour: Plaza Mayor, Cava Baja street, the Basilica of San Francisco el Grande, the Segovia Bridge, Plaza de Oriente and the Temple of Debod with its breathtaking sunset views. Walk through 10 centuries of history — from the 9th-century Muslim fortification of Magerit to the medieval legends, royal palaces and hidden secrets that shaped one of Europe's most fascinating capitals. We are the #1 company on TripAdvisor Madrid among more than 1,200 tourism businesses, with the Best of the Best Award for 8 consecutive years — only 1% of experiences in the world receive it. Over 20,000 reviews back more than 10 years guiding travelers from around the world through Madrid. Small groups, maximum 25 travelers per guide. Upon booking you receive our personalized Madrid guide via WhatsApp. At the end of the tour your guide recommends the best spots to eat, drink and explore.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Madrid's most iconic square, built in 1619 under King Philip III. Stage for bullfights, markets, Inquisition trials and public executions. We'll uncover 400 years of history hidden behind its 237 windows and 9 entrance archways.
One of Madrid's oldest streets, built over the outer moat of the medieval city wall. Discover its history as the heart of inns and taverns since the 17th century and why it remains one of Madrid's best streets for tapas and wine today.
Madrid's most iconic symbol: the bear leaning on the strawberry tree. We'll tell you the origin of the city's coat of arms, the medieval dispute between Madrid's Council and the Archbishop of Toledo that shaped it, and the story of the madroño liqueur made from its berries.
One of the largest domes in the Christian world at 33 meters wide — bigger than the Pantheon in Rome. Built on a convent traditionally founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. We'll admire its facade and tell you about the Goya and Zurbarán masterpieces inside.
Madrid's oldest bridge, built by Philip II in 1584. From here you'll have the best panoramic views of the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral. We'll explain why Philip II ordered such a monumental bridge to cross such a small river as the Manzanares.
Madrid's most elegant garden, flanked by the Royal Palace, the Royal Theatre and 44 statues of Visigoth and Spanish kings. Designed by Joseph Bonaparte during French occupation. We'll share the stories of royal life and the intrigues of the Spanish court.
A 2,200-year-old Egyptian temple in the heart of Madrid, donated by Egypt to Spain in 1968 as thanks for rescuing Nubian temples during the construction of the Aswan Dam. We finish here with the most spectacular panoramic views of Madrid at sunset.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(77)
This tour was just what we needed, just arrived, help us get our bearings etc for rest of the trip. Stuart was informative, good sense of humour and as waz 42 degrees earlier, managed to keep us in the shade and narrow lanes for the most part.
Great tour with many interesting pieces of information.
It was very informative and interesting
Marik was just fantastic! He made our Medival Madrid tour so interesting and we feel we know so much more about Madrid and its history.
Stuart was a great guy. Very knowledgeable and happy to answer any of our questions. Our tour was great, we saw many areas that we haven’t seen before.
It was one of the best tour, one of the best guided tour I have taken and I loved the experience. I think it was one of the highlight of Madrid and I would highly recommend this kind of tour without this tour. If you're really wondering in Madrid, knowing nothing, this tour I think really makes the difference in visiting Madrid.
Marik made everything nice and managed to connect with people! It solved all doubts and the tour really is unique, no other tour is alike.
Marik, our guide, was exceptional. It was a unique tour that far exceeded our expectations. He is an extraordinary guide—always willing to help and with impressive knowledge. He answered virtually all of our questions, going into details that clearly reflected his deep knowledge and passion for the city. I would definitely repeat this and any other guided experience with him. 😊
I had an amazing experience on the walking tour in Madrid, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the city. Our guide, Stuart, made the whole tour truly memorable. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the history, culture, and hidden corners of Madrid, but what really stood out was how engaging and friendly he was throughout the entire walk. Stuart shared fascinating stories that you wouldn’t easily find in guidebooks, and he answered everyone’s questions with enthusiasm. The pace of the tour was perfect—not rushed at all—so we had time to really enjoy the neighborhoods, architecture, and atmosphere of the city. What I appreciated most was how passionate Stuart was about Madrid. You could tell he genuinely loves the city and enjoys showing it to visitors. Thanks to him, I discovered places and details I would have completely missed on my own. If you’re looking for a fun, informative, and relaxed way to explore Madrid, this walking tour with Stuart is definitely worth it. It ended up being one of the highlights of my trip.
It was a fantastic experience, a tour very different from the typical Madrid tours, truly unique.
