At GuideByMySide, we pride ourselves in our guided tour. We have guided visits to all the most important sites in Madrid or a Madrid walking tour if you prefer. We even go further afield to some of the surrounding cities like Toledo (a UNESCO site).
Madrid Walking Tours
Starting with Madrid city, we have various alternatives. Before a guided visit to a museum or monument, there is the option to take a walking tour. Madrid is a great city to discover walking. It’s what most people from Madrid do! Walk through its historic street or beautiful parks.
We can do a guided visit to its most famous park – El Retiro. It is situated in the centre of Madrid.
Furthermore, it is only a stone throw away from on of the best museums in the world – El Prado.
Multicultural Madrid
The city centre of Madrid contains an almost infinite number of possible tours. It forms an essential part of Spain’s history. Walk through medieval Madrid – especially the part belonging to the Habsburg dynasty. This area is also known as Madrid de los Austrias in Spanish. Another dynasty that has influenced Madrid architecture is that of the House of Bourbon. Also, let’s not forget Literary Madrid. We can speak of Spanish writers such as Quevedo, Cervantes, Lope de Vega. Visit Madrid’s ancient theatres or corralas (Madrid building with balconies overlooking a central courtyard).
Let’s get to know the Madrid of mysteries. Learn of its ghosts and past crimes. Madrid has many different faces that we can discover together. If there is a particular theme that strikes your interest, I can prepare a special customised guided tour with this in mind.
There is the Madrid of cinema. The Madrid of director Pedro Almodóvar. The city of many film shoots. Many portray Madrid during the Civil War.
Another interesting facet of Madrid are its neighbourhoods. Each one distinctly characteristic from the other. Each has its own history that influenced home and street. Neighbourhoods like Malasaña, Lavapies or Argüelles contribute to the essence of what is Madrid. Each one has its own particular guided visit where you can discover its singular buildings, markets and centuries old taverns.
Guided tour through Central Madrid
A curious series of personalities lived in Madrid city centre over the years. Some of whom were very important. It’s worth finding out who they were. Kings, politicians, killers and thieves. All of them with a story. For example, a very interesting group are the women of Madrid. They have left their imprint on the city, from classical Madrid right up to modern times. Queens or religious figures who wielded great power. There were also actresses and exuberant singers. Many were writers or philosophers. Some were simple personalities from a novel. We can also investigate Madrid’s origins – it is still possible to see its Arabic and medieval past.
Walking through the streets on a Madrid walking tour, we will find spectacular buildings at every turn. They speak to us of the past and the present. As a result, their architecture shows us how Madrid has evolved as a city.
Guided tour in the museums
Madrid cultural life knows no limits. I will show you two important museums off the beaten track. The first one is the San Isidro Museum. It specialises in the origin of Madrid, from its beginning up to the XVI century. As a result, it is full of prehistoric animals. It also contains a collection of beautiful archeological objects. Indeed, many belong to the early Christian and Arabic settlers. Secondly, the other museum to visit is the Madrid Historical museum. It specialises from the 17th century onwards.
These are two of the most important museums in the city. They are however, not so well known – which can be a benefit. Madrid is dotted with many other smaller museums, just waiting for a guided tour with me. They are the result of great private collections. Furthermore, many palaces were built close to the Royal Court. Many of these palaces are now house-museums. To mention a few we have: The Museo Cerralbo and The Lázaro Galdiano museum. Some other fine examples are the Museo Sorolla or the Museo de Artes Decorativas.
The Big Three
However, we should not forget the great Madrid museums which enjoy international fame. We will visit the “Art Triangle” situated on the Paseo del Prado road. In the Prado museum you will see artistic wonders. They have on display works by Fray Angélico, Rafael, El Greco, Velázquez, Murillo, Rubens, Goya. The list goes on.
The Thyssen museum boasts one of the most important painting collections in the world. These are grouped into many different painting styles.
To complete the “triangle”, we have the Museum of Modern Art (Reina Sofia). Here you can enjoy amazing contemporary art. The building itself used to be a hospital. There hang the works of Dalí, Picasso and Miró among others.
Guided tour in the palaces
In or around the capital, we will find various Palaces of the Royal Court. For example, we have the Royal Palace, Aranjuez and the Pardo. All three are surrounded by magnificent gardens. They all make for a very interesting guided tour.
Inside Madrid province
Without leaving the Madrid province, one of the most spectacular building in all Christendom awaits us. I am, of course, speaking of The Escorial Monastery. We will learn its history, how it was built and for what purpose. Many different dynasties lived behind its walls or walked its gardens. As a result of a guided tour in El Escorial, you will learn the history of the people of Spain.
A guided tour of Toledo, Segovia and Ávila
Leaving the Madrid Province, we head towards cities very close to the Capital. These are places with a very special prominence. They were place vital in the birth of the nation.
Of course, I am talking about Toledo, Segovia and Ávila. These cities have been declared UNESCO world heritage sites. Spain has always been a mixing pot of cultures.
The cohabitation between creeds has always been a defining feature of this country. Therefore, these cities are a must if one wants to really know Spain.
So, if you want to visit Madrid or any of these historic sites, don’t hesitate to get in contact and we can visit them together.