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Free booking and cancellationFree payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
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Accepts electronic paymentThis tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card
Our Secret Madrid free tour begins in the heart of the city, at the famous Puerta del Sol , the epicentre of Madrid life. Here, at the foot of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, we dive into the past, where stories of kings, revolutions and mysteries intertwine with the modern bustle.
We head towards the nearby Plaza de Jacinto Benavente , where we find two emblems of Madrid culture: the majestic Teatro Calderón , with its imposing façade that has seen generations of artists pass by, and the iconic Cine Ideal , which evokes a time when great stories came to life in black and white. Here, art and intrigue intertwine, reminding us that the shadows of the past always lurk in the most unexpected corners.
We continue towards the legendary Albéniz Theatre , witness to countless performances that have made the city vibrate. However, beyond its artistic reputation, this place also houses stories of secrets and conspiracies that seem to whisper from behind its curtains.
From there, the tour takes us to the historic Plaza Mayor , with its majestic arches and balconies, which once witnessed public executions, coronations and spectacles that had a dark side. As we walk around this emblematic setting, the stones seem to tell stories of intrigue, power and betrayal that marked the history of Madrid.
The next destination is the Church of San Ginés , a corner that hides one of the most fascinating stories of Madrid's past: the prison of Captain Contreras , a man whose imprisonment and escape defy reality and are intertwined with legend. The shadows of San Ginés surround us as we continue to unravel the secrets of this place.
In the nearby Plaza de San Martín , we discover another dark episode in history. It is said that here, the great writer Francisco de Quevedo, with his sharp pen and fiery temperament, was involved in a duel that ended in murder. A corner where literature and violence mix in a story full of emotion and tragedy. In the same area, the Convent of the Descalzas Reales stands imposingly, where the lives of the cloistered nuns were surrounded by secrets, and the walls of the convent hold hidden stories that rarely come to light.
We approach the Opera area, where art and history intertwine. Here, the melodies of classical operas envelop us, but hidden stories of palace conspiracies and backstage love affairs add a dark touch to the atmosphere.
The next stop is the impressive Royal Palace and Plaza de Oriente , places steeped in history and splendour. As we admire its beauty, we cannot help but remember the secrets that were hatched behind its walls: the intrigues of the court, the power games and the palace intrigues that shook the foundations of the Spanish monarchy. Here, the past of kings and courtiers seems to come alive at every corner.
We then head into Calle de la Almudena , a street that has been the scene of two dark episodes: the murder of Juan de Escobedo , which led to one of the most notorious conspiracies of the Golden Age, and the assassination of Alfonso XIII , an event that shook the nation. This corner of Madrid seems to be marked by violence and political intrigue, leaving us with echoes of turbulent times.
The tour ends in front of the ancient Arab Wall and the Almudena Cathedral , a place where legends mix with reality. Here, the remains of the ancient wall remind us of the times when Madrid was a small fortified city, surrounded by enemies and secrets, while the Cathedral, majestic and modern, stands as a symbol of the evolution of the city.
With the image of these imposing structures in mind, we close our tour of Secret Madrid , having walked through the streets where the past is never completely buried, and the echoes of mysteries and legends resonate in every corner.
We are waiting for you!
We'll meet at the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree. We'll be carrying a red umbrella with the Arkeo Tour logo!
Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).