geocalia

What to do · Madrid

Free Walking Tour from Plaza Mayor to the Royal Palace, with SANDEMANs

Walking tour · 2.5 h · free with a voluntary tip · in Spanish and English

InformationFree; voluntary tip at the end
Price
Free; voluntary tip at the end
Duration
2 h 30
Season
All year
Who it's for
All ages

What it is

A free route of about two and a half hours from SANDEMANs NEW Europe, with freelance guides: you don't pay at the start and the tip at the end is voluntary. It leaves from Plaza Mayor, in front of the Tourist Centre, and usually ends at Plaza de Isabel II, next to Ópera metro station.

What it covers

According to the company, it passes Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, the Teatro Real, the San Miguel Market, Plaza de la Villa and the Almudena Cathedral. It also tells the story of the memorial to the attack on a king on his wedding day and of the oldest restaurant in the world. It pairs well with a later visit to the Royal Palace or the technical tour of the Teatro Real.

How to book

Online at neweuropetours.eu or by turning up at the starting point on the day of the tour. The company says it runs in any weather and is wheelchair accessible; dates can be checked on its calendar. It runs in Spanish and English.

Frequently asked questions

Is it really free?

Yes at the start: the tip at the end is voluntary.

Where does it end?

Normally at Plaza de Isabel II, next to Ópera metro station.

As a familyWith teenagersWith friends

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

A slice of battered salt cod on a plate, with a glass of beer behind© Casa Revuelta

Casa Revuelta

Bar · Madrid · €€€€

What to order: a slice of battered salt cod with a small beer or a vermouth; if you stay, a half portion of tripe and some croquettes

The bistro room, with a hydraulic tile floor, globe lamps and large windows onto the square© Café de Oriente

Café de Oriente

Restaurant · Madrid · €€€€

What to order: before the performance, rabas and croquettes to share; afterwards, the pintxo-style hake or the creamy rice, and the house torrija

The tavern mirror with the menu painted by hand, among tiles and old black-and-white photos© La Casa del Abuelo

La Casa del Abuelo

Bar · Madrid · €€€€

What to order: garlic prawns and a chato of the house sweet wine; if there are more of you, langostinos in batter and red-prawn croquettes

To stay nearby

The rooftop covered with reed matting, with wooden tables and a church dome in the background© The Hat MadridHostel

The Hat Madrid

Doubles, apartments and dormitories of 4 to 10 · Women-only rooms · Rooftop with bar and kitchen · 24-hour reception

Why we like it: Hostel a hundred metres from Plaza Mayor with private doubles, dormitories of 4 to 10 beds, women-only rooms and a rooftop bar.

A standard double with two beds, a zigzag wallpaper headboard and a glass wardrobe© Hotel ÓperaHotel

Hotel Ópera

100 m from the Teatro Real · All doubles exterior · Rooms with terrace and whirlpool bath on the 8th floor · Café de la Ópera

Why we like it: Four-star hotel on Cuesta de Santo Domingo, a hundred metres from the Teatro Real and opposite the Royal Palace; exterior doubles from €95 a night.

From €84 / night View details
The breakfast room, with the buffet and crystal lamps© Hotel LiabenyHotel

Hotel Liabeny

Between Sol, Callao and Gran Vía · Own car park · Gym with sauna · Restaurant Lya67

Why we like it: Four-star hotel between Sol and Callao with its own car park and electric charger; singles from €90 and doubles from €122 a night.

From €90 / night View details