Walking Tour of Old Madrid – Madrid City Walk

At a leisurely pace, we spend approximately three hours in the historical heart of Spain´s capital. We visit quiet squares such as Miranda, where the Carboneras Convent was constructed at the beginning of the 18th century, and La Villa, where the 17th century City Hall building and others of the 15th & 16th centuries are to be found. We will stop at San Nicolas, the oldest church in Madrid, as well as the two baroque churches, Sacramento and San Miguel, before discovering the Arabic remains, part of the walls that defended the city from the attacks of the Christians. Then, a stroll through the majestic Orient Square, which provides a superb view of the Royal Palace, and contains one of the most beautiful equestrian statues in Europe, to whose creation contributed in part, Galileo Galilee. Afterwards on to the famous Plaza Mayor, center of Madrid for almost four centuries and scene of innumerable festivals, bullfights, trials and executions. Before ending our stroll through history, we stop by an austere building of the 18th century: the last headquarters of the Inquisition tribunal.

The tour includes:

• Pick up and drop off at hotel

• English-speaking guide

• Walking tour through the historical heart of Madrid

• Taxes

 

 Personalized Tour of Madrid's Principal Museums

This personalized tour includes the visit to two of the main museums in Madrid during half day, with a professional license guide. You may choose between the Prado Museum, the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum, the Reina Sofia Modern Art Museum, the Royal Palace among others. On Mondays the main museums are closed, but the Royal Palace is open, and also the Royal Academy of San Fernando, consider the second largest painting collection in Spain.

The tour includes:

• Pick up and drop off at hotel

• English speaking guide

• Visit to two of Madrid´s three principal museums: Prado, Reina Sofia, Thyssen

 

 Exclusive Shopping Tour

This is a personalized tour in which you will be in hands of one of our guides, who, after meeting with you will understand and know your preferences, and will take you to the right place. We know what difficult can be to have very few leisure time in one big city to go shopping, and specially if you are looking for something that can not be found in a big department store, something very personal and unique. We can not promise 100% a successful purchase, but we really know the city and what the city can offer. It is important that you know that we do not offer any special deals and of course, we do not get any type of commissions.

The tour includes:

• Pick up and drop off at hotel

• English-speaking guide

• Visit to the principal and most exclusive shopping districts of Madrid

 

 

 Madrid Panoramic

We begin our visit in one of the city's most modern zones where some of the tallest buildings on the European continent are located. Next comes the elegant shopping and dining area of Salamanca, as we pass the centuries-old Retiro Park before entering the fabulous Paseo del Prado, where numerous 18th century monuments are to be found (Apollo, Cibeles and Neptune fountains) along with the Prado Museum, the Botanic Gardens, the magnificent Ritz and Palace hotels, the Royal Spanish Academy, the Bank of Spain and the palatial-like Central Post Office. We continue on towards the heart of the old city, through the Puerta del Sol, Arenal Street and Queen Isabel II Square, before a short stop to admire the Royal Palace from the recently-renovated Orient Square. Finally we continue on to Mayor Street.

The tour includes:

• Pick up and drop off at hotel

• English-speaking driver (guide optional) with private car

• Visit to the city´s principal zones and tourist attractions

 

 Escorial Monastery

You will meet the driver at your hotel and you will drive for almost one hour until you will arrive to the Monastery of El Escorial, located in the town of El Escorial. Here, you will visit the Monastery of El Escorial, an impressive building that contains a beautiful Monastery, a great library, and the main building which was the residence of the king Philip II until his death, at the time when the Spanish Empire reached its splendour. Also is the burial place of most of the Hapsburg and Bourbon monarchs. The town is located on top of the mountain range, with a great scenery too. You will return to Madrid after the visit.

The tour includes:

• Pick up and drop off at hotel

• English-speaking driver with private car (guide optional)

• Visit to the famous palace/monastery at Escorial (entry included)

 

 Toledo

You leave early for Toledo, the old Imperial capital that is approximately an hour away from Madrid. The accompanying guide/driver will advise you during the trajectory of the most important monuments to be seen once in the city. The cathedral, one of the most important in Europe, the synagogues of Tránsito and Santa Maria la Blanca (one of the oldest in Europe), the house/museum of El Greco, the Santo Tomé church with its magistral work by El Greco,"The Burial of Conde de Orgaz", the San Juan de los Reyes church, a superb gothic structure built by the Catholic Kings, are all well worth visiting. After some leisure you will return to Madrid.

The tour includes:

• Pick up and drop off at hotel

• English-speaking driver with private car (guide optional)

• Visit to the principal sites including Cathedral (entries included)

 

 Toledo, Aranjuez & Chinchon

You leave early for Toledo, the old Imperial capital that is approximately an hour away from Madrid. The accompanying guide/driver will advise you during the trajectory of the most important monuments to be seen once in the city. The cathedral, one of the most important in Europe, the synagogues of Tránsito and Santa Maria la Blanca (one of the oldest in Europe), the house/museum of El Greco, the Santo Tomé church with its magistral work by El Greco,"The Burial of Conde de Orgaz", the San Juan de los Reyes church, a superb gothic structure built by the Catholic Kings, are all well worth visiting. After lunchtime, you will head for Aranjuez, for a relaxing stroll through its 18th century Palace´s magnificent gardens, built in the image of the best French palace gardens. On the return route to Madrid, you will stop in the beautiful town of Chinchón, where you will visit its unique Plaza Mayor and perhaps have a glass of wine in one of the town´s centuries-old taverns.

The tour includes:

• Pick up and drop off at hotel

• English-speaking driver with private car (guide optional)

• Visits to Toledo (Cathedral, El Greco Museum, Jewish Sector), Aranjuez (18th century Palace and gardens, and Chinchon (Plaza Mayor and traditional taverns)

 

 Segovia & Palace of La Granja

The two-thousand year old city of Segovia, at the strategic junction of two rivers has been an important center since Roman Times. The tour begins in the Plaza Azoguejo, where a majestic Aqueduct pays testimony to the genius and durability of Roman engineering, before you take an evocative stroll along Royal Street, passing the 15th century Casa de los Picos, the 12th century San Martin church, a splendid example of Romanesque art. After you will enter the cathedral, the last of the great Spanish gothic cathedrals, before finishing up at the Alcazar, the imposingly beautiful fortress/palace which is dated back to the 12th century. On the return trip to Madrid, you will stop off in La Granja, a majestic palace begun in 1721 by the first Bourbon King, Felipe V.. Its fabulous gardens, full of wonderful sculptures and delightful fountains are some of the most beautiful in Europe. After a stroll through this fine example of landscape architecture, you return to Madrid.

The tour includes:

• Pick up and drop off at hotel

• English-speaking driver with private car (guide optional)

• Visits to Segovia (Roman Aqueduct, Alcazar Palace/Fortress) and La Granja (18th century Palace with fabulous gardens filled with sculptures and fountains)

 

 Avila & El Escorial Monastery

This most mystical of Castile´s cities is a continual surprise for the visitor. All its marvelous architecture is protected within romanesque walls of the 11th century, unique in Europe. The cathedral, begun in the 11th century, looks more like a fortress than a place of worship, necessary in its day as it formed part of the ancient defense system of the city. Among the numerous buildings, especially noteworthy are the Palacio de los Velada, the Verdugo and the Benavides, almost all are in the renaissance style and speak eloquently in stone of the role the city played in Spain's turbulent history. You will also visit the Convent of Santa Teresa, built on the site of the saint's birthplace, and the Basilica of San Vicente, just outside the walls, and one of the most beautiful romanesque constructions of the city. On leaving Avila, you will head for the Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial, whose construction was begun in 1563 by order of the powerful King Felipe II. This impressive complex, one of the largest in Spain, is a city in itself. In addition to possessing a beautiful church, a pantheon where the remains of most of the Spanish Kings are buried, there is a majestic library with valuable collections and a palace with the living quarters of the austere Felipe II, on whose Empire the sun never set.

The tour includes:

• Pick up and drop off at hotel

• English-speaking driver with private car (guide optional)

• Visits to Avila (11th century city wall, Cathedral, Convent of Santa Teresa) and the Monastery of San L

 

 Hiking in Madrid´s Countryside

This is a special tour upon request that we arranged for small groups and families, and depending on which period of the year, we will suggest you different alternatives for a moderate hike at one of the natural reserves the region of Madrid has. Do not hesitate and let us know your preferences and we will create for you, your own special hike.

The tour includes:

• Pick up and drop off at hotel

• English-speaking specialized guide

• Train ticket included

• Maximum of 4

• Hiking in the mountainous regions around Madrid

 

 Private Car Excursions around Madrid´s Countryside

This is also a special drive, a different one besides the main touristic monumental sites, but still very interesting. A special program for nature lovers, that can be designed according to your preferences and the time of the year you plan to visit Madrid. Madrid is located in the heart of its region, and only 30 miles north you can find ski resorts and an altitude of 1,800 meters. But also 30 miles south you will be at the sea level and surrounded by olive trees and vineyards.

The tour includes:

• Pick up and drop off at hotel

• English-speaking driver (guide optional)

• Visit to the mountainous regions around Madrid