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- Madrid of the Habsburg
Madrid of the Habsburg
Madrid became the capital of Spain in the 16th century. This happened
while the Spanish Empire was reaching its largest dimension. This was
a kingdom where German, Spanish and Portuguese territories were
part of one single empire. At the same time, Spanish culture reached
its utmost splendor, an era called “El Siglo de Oro” (The Golden
Century), that in fact spread along not just one century but two, the
16th and 17 th centuries.
José Enrique
Meeting Point
At your hotel
Your hotel
I would go to pick you up to yor hotel and depending on the location we would get to the starting point either by walking or by public transport.
Plaza de Callao ( Callao Square)
It can be considered the "Madrid Times Square".
It used to be one of the main gates of the Madrid of the Renaissance ( 16th century).
Plaza de las Descalzas Reales ( Square of the Royal Barefoot)
We will stand just in front of the Royal Barefoot Monastery .
A king or emperor was an important figure but what about his siblings? The oldest sister of " Emperor Philip the 2nd" founded this monastery in a crutial moment of our history.
Puerta del Sol ( Gate of the Sun Square)
Every single city has a core , Puerta del Sol is the one of Madrid, all the main roads heading to Barcelona, Valencia....have here their starting or ending point, depending on the point of view.
You will discover lots of legends and history in this relevant spot of Madrid.
Plaza Mayor ( The Main Square)
Everybody knows in Spain we are fans of cultural events, one of them among others are the carnivals, in this specific spot took place the first carnival celebrations.
This square has a lot to offer to our visitors, even one of the main dishes of our cuisine.
Plaza de la Villa ( The City Square)
For a long time it was the core of the politics in Madrid.
We can see three main buildings, one of the 15th century also known as " The first skyscraper of Madrid" and the two others of the 16th ( it was used once as prison) and 17th( former Town Hall) centuries.
Calle Mayor
From a church of the 17th century to a terrorist attempt 300 years later.
The Royal Palace
It began as a muslim castle in the Middle Age , becoming a fortress in the 16th century and the palace we have nowadays in the 18th century, we owe to the former castle the name of our city.
Plaza de Oriente ( The Eastern Square)
A guy in a horse, who was he? Galileo Galilei had something to do about it.
The Incarnation Convent
Concerning to the female members of the Royal Family, being a nun after the husband death was at the order of the day
End of the tour in the Incarnation Convent
The Incarnation Convent, I could go back with you to your hotel if you like
Ending Point
The Incarnation Convent or your hotel or place of accomodation depending on your request
Want to personalize this tour?
- Our tours can be customized according to your needs and preferences
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Hotel pick-up
Guide fee
Transportation fee for you and the guide (around 15 euro per person)
Lunch fee for you and the guide( around
30 euro per person)
Visits to the Royal Palace and the convents are not part of the tour
Please note the price amount is estimated
*Detailed explanations below
Important Information
Neither price of public transport in order to get to the main spots nor the meals price are included in the tours.
Visits to certain monuments are not part of the itinerary to follow due to their visits policy .
If you want to visit these certain spots by your own I will be very pleased in giving you advice about the visits protocol
I would pick you up at your hotel or place of accomodation and we would go by public transport to the starting point (in case you are staying far from the city centre)
* Transportation fee ( for you and the guide)
In order to move within Madrid City( Zone A) by public transport we have the red Multi Card ( Tarjeta Multi) which allows you to get the metro, tram line one ( Metro Ligero 1) and urban buses ( the blue ones) with a value of 15 euros ( including the card and ten trips ) that you are allowed to share between you and the members of your group, always with the same card in the same or different days.
Besides we have the Turist Card, which allows you to move within Madrid City (Zone A) in every mean of transport ( metro, urban buses( blue), interurban buses(green)
Cercanias Trains( Proximity Trains) and tram line 1 ( Metro Ligero 1) ) for one day for the price of 8,40 euros, the price would increase as more days you want to use public transport.
This card is just for personal use and children until 11 years old have a 50% discount for the adquisition and use of this card.
Both of them ( Multi and Turist) can be adquired in any metro station machine.
* Meals fee (for you and the guide)
The average price of a set menu in Madrid is between 16 and 25 euros, Normally it includes a starter, a main dish, dessert or coffee, drink, bread and cutlery service.
This tour is for both history and art history lovers, we will pass in front of the "Almudena Cathedral" of free access in case you want to take a glimpse of its inside.
We will not visit the convents and the Royal Palace during the tour due its visit policy.
As I mentioned above I will be really pleased to inform you about the visits protocol so you can visit it by yourselves.
You can decide if you want me to show you Plaza de Ópera( Opera Square) and "San Ginés" church, were two famous theatre authors were the main actors in this place.
No additional cost in this case
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Reviews
Abel N.
“ Wonderful unknown Medieval Madrid by Jos? ”
Dear José, thank you so much for this tour. My friends and I have been delighted with the tour and your interesting and amenable explanations. We had been to Madrid in the past and visited other more known sites like Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, even walked through some of the streets in today’s visit but were completely unaware of the rich history and legends hidden in buildings and streets. What a wonderful time travel from the foundation of the city to the fifteenth century and beyond. And so many artists, regular folks and royalty Interplaying. I am definitely talk to my friends about Las Vistillas, San Isidro, The Moorish and Christian walls and recommend you as their guide when they visit Madrid. We took plenty of pictures but would like to see yours as well. Best wishes and hope to engage with you on our next trip to Madrid.
José Enrique
Dear Abel, it has been a really amazing experience to show you this part of my city, thank you so much for this wonderful time we have spent. My best wishes for the future, if you feel in the mood to repeat don't hesitate to contact me. Greetings José