Madrid: Old City Walking Tour & Royal Palace Sights

Summary

Madrid’s royal stories, ancient plazas and tapas in the old city

You’ll wander Madrid’s oldest streets with a small group and certified local guide, exploring Debod Temple’s ancient stones, tasting tapas at San Miguel Market, standing beneath the Royal Palace’s grandeur, and soaking up stories in lively plazas. Expect unexpected details, real conversations, and moments that linger after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We started our Madrid walking tour right at the Temple of Debod, which honestly felt surreal — an Egyptian temple just sitting there in a Spanish park, with the stone still warm from the sun. Our guide, Ana, told us how it was moved here block by block to save it from flooding in Egypt. I could smell pine needles and hear kids playing nearby while she explained the story. The view over Madrid from that spot is wild — rooftops all jumbled together and some kind of golden haze over everything. Didn’t expect to feel so far from home already.

From there we wandered towards Plaza de España, where people were taking selfies with Don Quixote (I tried too but ended up with my thumb in the frame). Ana pointed out details on Cervantes’ statue I’d never have noticed on my own — she really knew her stuff but kept things light. We cut through shady gardens into Plaza de Oriente, where you get this close-up of the Royal Palace that makes you stop for a second. The palace is massive; I caught myself just staring at the stone lions and thinking about all those kings who lived there. Someone was playing guitar nearby and it sort of echoed around the square.

I liked walking through those narrow Habsburg-era alleys — uneven stones underfoot, little balconies overhead with laundry flapping out. At Plaza de la Villa Ana told a story about Álvaro de Bazán (the admiral guy), and some locals nodded along like they’d heard it a hundred times. We stopped at San Miguel Market for tapas — I grabbed a skewer of olives and cheese that tasted way saltier than I expected (in a good way). The market smelled like fried calamari and fresh bread; honestly could’ve stayed longer but we had more to see.

The last stretch took us to Plaza Mayor, which is huge but somehow still cozy because of all the chatter bouncing off those red-brick walls. Ana explained how bullfights used to happen right there — hard to picture now with everyone sipping coffee outside. By then my feet were tired but I didn’t really want it to end yet. Funny how just a few hours can make a city feel familiar.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Walking tour of Madrid's historic sites

• Visit Debod Temple
• Enjoy panoramic city view
• Explore Plaza de España
• See Plaza de Oriente and sculptures
• View Almudena Cathedral exterior
• Tour outside Royal Palace
• Walk old Madrid stone streets
• Visit Plaza de la Villa square
• Explore San Miguel Market
• Discover Plaza Mayor square

Top questions

Is this Madrid walking tour suitable for kids?

Yes, kids under 10 join free and it’s suitable for all fitness levels.

Does the tour include entry inside the Royal Palace?

No, you visit the outside of the Royal Palace with guided explanations.

How big are the groups on this Madrid old city tour?

The group size is small, with a maximum of 12 people per tour.

Are food or drinks included during the tour?

No food or drinks are included but there’s time to buy tapas at San Miguel Market.

Is this walking tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible throughout the route.

Which main attractions are covered on this Madrid walking tour?

You’ll see Debod Temple, Plaza de España, Plaza de Oriente, Almudena Cathedral (outside), Royal Palace (outside), Plaza de la Villa, San Miguel Market, and Plaza Mayor.

How long does this Madrid old city walking tour last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but covers several major sites at a relaxed pace.

Is an official local guide included?

Yes, your experience includes an official certified local guide throughout.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walks through Madrid’s historic plazas and alleys with an official local guide leading your small group (max 12 people); stops at Debod Temple, outside views of Almudena Cathedral and Royal Palace; plus time to sample tapas at San Miguel Market before finishing in Plaza Mayor—all fully accessible for wheelchairs or strollers.