Medieval Madrid

Medieval Madrid takes you back to the walled town that existed long before the royal palaces, when this was a small Muslim fortress guarding the road to Toledo. Over about two and a half hours we look for the traces the Middle Ages left behind, from the remains of the Arab wall to old churches and viewpoints over the river. We walk in small groups and without megaphones, so the stories of frontier towns and legends are easy to follow.

It works well if you have already seen the postcard Madrid and want the older, quieter layer underneath, the one most visitors miss. It suits history lovers who enjoy piecing a place together from its stones, and it is calm enough for families who don't mind a couple of gentle slopes. Coming at the right time of day, it also ends with one of the best sunsets in the city.

Along the way you will see the Arab wall on the Cuesta de la Vega, Plaza de la Villa, the church of San Nicolás de los Servitas, the Las Vistillas gardens, the Sabatini gardens and, to finish, the Temple of Debod at sunset. This is a free tour: you book your place at no cost and, at the end, you leave a voluntary contribution based on how much you enjoyed it (on average, between 15 and 20 euros per person). No ticket and no fixed price: you decide what it was worth.