Walk Old Madrid at your own pace—royal palaces, cathedral squares, arcaded plazas—and learn why they mattered. GPS and virtual tour guides add quick stories, fun details, and “now you’ll notice this” moments along the way.
Admissions not included.
Your purchase is for 30-day access to our self-guided tour. Tickets or entry fees
for museums, historic sites, and other attractions are sold separately.
Explore Madrid’s royal heart—from arcaded plazas to cathedral chapels and palace façades—and come away knowing how monarchy, faith, and markets shaped the city. Our free-roam map and virtual tour guides keep it light and flexible: quick stories, look-closer tips, and spots to pause for tapas. Start anywhere, set your pace, and turn landmarks into things you will remember.
Highlights
Plaza Mayor — arcaded civic stage; learn how fires, festivals, and royal edicts reshaped the square and what its façades still say.
Restaurante Botín — the world’s oldest restaurant with a fire that never goes out; hear how Goya and Hemingway orbit its legend.
Plaza de la Villa — crossroads of medieval Madrid; decode rival families, royal decrees, and the three palaces facing one another.
Almudena Cathedral — Madrid’s modern cathedral on ancient ground; understand why it took centuries and what royal moments it hosts.
Royal Palace of Madrid — the largest royal palace in Western Europe; connect ceremony, architecture, and the rituals of power.
Plaza de Oriente — formal garden of Spain’s kings; spot the statue stories—who was moved, hidden, or misidentified.
Teatro Real — grand opera house; trace collapses and comebacks and the drama behind the velvet.
Plaza de Isabel II — lively square beneath a queen; learn why her statue sparked debate and how the plaza became a cultural hub.
San Miguel Market — iron-and-glass jewel; discover its jump from produce stalls to tapas pilgrimage (with tasty pauses).
Casa de Cisneros — Renaissance palace with a secret bridge; uncover how politics shaped its hidden chambers.
Plaza de Santa Cruz — elegant today, prison yesterday; hear prisoners’ and poets’ tales behind the pretty brickwork.
Royal Monastery of Las Descalzas Reales — cloistered convent rich with royal dowries; understand why kings chose it for retreat.
All this, plus additional "hidden gems," expertly brought to life through our virtual guides....with rich, vivid history, local stories, and unmatched knowledge you will not find elsewhere. Even better, no tipping required!
Distance: ~2 miles (3.2 km) • Time: 2–3 hours • Stops: 12+ • Terrain: Mostly flat with some cobblestones
Shaded area = approximate tour area
What you’ll experience
GPS location tracking — see your current location on the map.
Virtual Tour Guides — Detailed narration at each stop & answers to common questions.
Vast local knowledge — history, legends, and insider spots.
Local weather updates — stay prepared as you explore outdoors.
A “Free Roaming” adventure — start anywhere, wander at your pace.
What exactly unlocks when I buy?
You’ll get the full tour map with hot-air balloon markers (our map pins), our suggested walking path for orientation, detailed stories and site info, narration, and tons of local tips. Your purchase gives you unlimited access for 30 days via a private link. It runs right in your mobile browser — no installs, no storage — just open and go.
How do I start the tour?
Open your private tour link on your phone. On the map, tap the compass to center on your current location (one-time locate). If you’d like the map center to follow you as you walk, turn on GPS Auto-Location in Settings (optional). Now knowing where YOU are, visit any stop you like, in any order, at any pace — you’re in complete control.
How does a SmartWalkTour differ from a traditional tour?
It’s your pace, your path. No buses or group schedules. No tour guide tipping. Explore freely with on-map markers, narration, and an optional suggested path for big-picture orientation. Pause for a café, browse a shop, and pick up where you left off anytime — your guide is always in your pocket.
Screenshots from an actual tour. (Key West example)
Swipe or scroll to see more →
Multiple tour stopping points. Start at any one, then tap the hot air balloon for detailed tour guide information.Virtual tour guides share rich stories at every stop, with Q&A and helpful links.Always know the local weather and plan your walk comfortably.Discover more tours nearby—walkable options to keep exploring.Four map styles, live GPS, and a suggested path you can toggle on/off.Helpful information is built in, plus links for even more detail.In app tips, FAQs, Local festivals and events. Maps show a wealth of detail, with public restroom locations.Direct links to attractions for hours, tickets, and more.
