Friday Evening: Tour of Historical Madrid

Route Map

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Plaza Mayor

This portico lined square is situated at the heart of Hapsburg Madrid, the old part of the city and one of the capital’s most charming districts.
In 1617, architect Juan Gómez de Mora was commissioned to create a greater uniformity amongst the buildings in this location, which for centuries had hosted popular entertainments, bullfights, beatifications, coronations and the occasional auto de fe.

Chocolatería San Ginés

This cafe was founded in 1894 and it has become one of the most emblematic places of Madrid. In a passageway close to San Ginés church, west of the Puerta del Sol, is famous for its hot chocolate with thin churros.

Puerta del Sol

Central and bustling, Puerta del Sol is one of Madrid's best known squares. Several busy historical streets, such as Calle Mayor, Calle Arenal, Calle Alcalá and Calle Preciados, converge here and it contains several of the city's best known landmarks.

Plaza de Oriente

The Plaza de Oriente gardens are a rectangular park that connects the east facade of Palacio Real to the Teatro Real. They are located in the centre of an important and impressive group, which includes not just the Royal Palace, but also the Cathedral of La Almudena and the Convent of La Encarnación.

Real Basílica de San Francisco el Grande

Designed in a Neoclassic style in the second half of the 18th century, based on a design by Francisco Cabezas, developed by Antonio Pló, and completed by Francesco Sabatini. The church contains paintings by Zurbarán and Francisco Goya.

Mercado San Miguel

The Mercado de San Miguel is an historic and monumental market infused with literary retrospect located in the heart of Madrid’s old quarter, an area with genuine personality and endless shopping, cultural and entertainment options. They are now writing a new page in their history with the aim of convening the finest shopkeepers, professionals, experts and enthusiasts in their respective specialities.

Plaza de la Ópera (Plaza Isabel II)

The Plaza de Isabel II is best known as Plaza de la Ópera because Teatro Real, the major opera house, is located in this a square. The Teatro Real opera is one of the great theaters of Europe and its seasons are home productions involving leading figures of the international singing, musical direction, stage direction and dance.

Viaducto de Segovia

This place has one of the best shights of Madrid. The Viaducto connect the Royal Palace with Real Basilica de San Francisco el Grade avoiding the difference of 23 meters that occurred on Calle Segovia.

Plaza de la Paja

The square was the center of Madrid during the Middle Ages. In their surroundings different palaces were located of which only the Palace of the Vargas surname linked to urban patrician preserved from the Christian conquest of the city.