Step into Old Madrid — royal palaces, cathedral squares, arcaded plazas, and storied taverns. A self-guided audio walking tour with GPS and local tips.
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.
Walk the royal core of Madrid. From arcaded Plaza Mayor to the cathedral and palace on the western ridge, this route ties together Habsburg lanes, ceremonial squares, and time-honored taverns. Hear the legends that cling to arches and alleys, then step inside lively markets for tapas breaks. Start anywhere, set your own pace, and let the Royal Quarter unfold around you.
Highlights
Plaza Mayor — once a stage for markets, bullfights, and even trials. On this tour, learn how fires reshaped it and uncover the stories hidden behind its arcades.
Restaurante Botín — the world’s oldest restaurant with a fire that has never gone out. Hear how Goya and Hemingway fit into its long history.
Plaza de la Villa — a crossroads of medieval Madrid. Discover the rival families, royal decrees, and secrets tucked into its three palaces.
Almudena Cathedral — Madrid’s modern cathedral built on ancient ground. Learn why it took centuries to complete and what royal moments it now hosts.
Royal Palace of Madrid — the largest royal palace in Western Europe. Step into the legends of monarchs, ceremonies, and the treasures still within.
Plaza de Oriente — a formal garden lined with statues of Spain’s kings. Hear why some were hidden, moved, and even mistaken for others.
Teatro Real — Madrid’s grand opera house. Discover its collapses and comebacks, and the stories that echo behind the velvet curtains.
Plaza de Isabel II — a busy square with its queen watching from above. Learn why this statue sparked debate and how the square became a cultural hub.
San Miguel Market — an iron-and-glass jewel packed with tapas. Find out how it shifted from produce stalls to a foodie pilgrimage site.
Casa de Cisneros — a Renaissance palace linked by a secret bridge. Uncover how politics and power struggles shaped its hidden chambers.
Plaza de Santa Cruz — elegant, yet once home to Madrid’s main prison. Hear the tales of prisoners, poets, and the square’s unexpected transformations.
Royal Monastery of Las Descalzas Reales — a cloistered convent filled with royal dowries. Learn how nuns guarded treasures and why kings favored it as a 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!
Tour area: Madrid – Royal Quarter, Legends & Taverns
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.
