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Complete Madrid: free self-guided audio tour of Madrid
Complete Madrid is a free self-guided audio walking tour of Madrid, Spain: 7 stops in about 2 h 20. The Itinerarly app walks you from one stop to the next and plays a short narrated story when you arrive, in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.
| Stops | 7 |
|---|---|
| Duration | about 2 h 20, including time at each stop |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
| Distance | about 5.8 km in straight lines between the stops (a little more on foot) |
| Start | Plaza Mayor |
| Finish | Gran Vía |
| Price | Free (some sights charge their own entry ticket) |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese |
The ultimate Madrid tour
The stops, in order
- Plaza MayorWelcome to Plaza Mayor, the beating heart of Habsburg Madrid. This vast rectangular esplanade, inaugurated in 1619 during the reign of Philip III—whose equestrian statue stands at the center—has witnessed everything from bullfights and markets to Inquisition trials and royal coronations. Look for the Casa de la Panadería, adorned with colorful frescoes, which once served as the royal bakery.
- Puerta del SolThis is Puerta del Sol, the true nerve center of Madrid and all of Spain. It is home to 'Kilometer Zero', the starting point for all of the country's radial roads. You can admire the famous statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree—the city's heraldic symbol—as well as the majestic clock of the Royal Post House.
- Almudena CathedralThis is the Almudena Cathedral, Madrid's primary religious building. Its construction was only completed in 1993 after more than a century of work, explaining its unique blend of styles: Neo-Gothic inside, Neoclassical outside to harmonize with the neighboring Royal Palace, and a Neo-Romanesque crypt. The cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin of the Almudena, the city's patron saint.
- Royal PalaceWelcome to the Royal Palace of Madrid, Western Europe's largest royal residence by floor area. Built in the 18th century on the site of a former Moorish fortress, this Baroque and Neoclassical palace was the official residence of Spanish kings from Philip V to Alfonso XIII. Boasting 3,418 richly decorated rooms, it is nearly twice the size of Buckingham Palace or Versailles.
- Prado MuseumWelcome to the Prado Museum, one of the world's greatest sanctuaries of art. Opened in 1819, it houses the former Spanish Royal Collection, offering a unique panorama of European painting from the 12th to the 19th centuries. The beating heart of the museum is undoubtedly the collection of works by Velázquez, featuring his absolute masterpiece, 'Las Meninas'.
- Crystal PalaceYou are admiring the Crystal Palace, the most romantic architectural feature of Retiro Park. Erected in 1887 for the Philippine Islands Flora Exhibition, this elegant iron and glass structure was designed by Ricardo Velázquez Bosco, modeled after London's Crystal Palace. Originally intended to house exotic plants from the former colonies, it is now one of the venues for the Reina Sofía Museum, hosting temporary contemporary art installations.
- Gran VíaWelcome to Gran Vía, 'Madrid's Broadway' and the most famous avenue in Spain. Carved out between 1910 and 1931 to modernize the historic center, this majestic artery is a showcase for early 20th-century architecture, blending French, Viennese, and American styles. Looking up, you can admire iconic buildings like the Metropolis Building with its slate and gold dome, or the Carrion with its famous Schweppes sign.
How to take this tour
- Install the free Itinerarly app on iPhone or Android and create a free account.
- Open Guided tours, choose Madrid, then Complete Madrid.
- Start whenever you like: the app guides you to Plaza Mayor and the story plays when you arrive at each stop.
Other audio tours of Madrid
Planning a whole day? See one day in Madrid.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Complete Madrid tour in Madrid free?
- Yes. It is one of 3 free self-guided audio tours of Madrid in the Itinerarly app. Some sights charge their own entry ticket.
- How long does the Complete Madrid tour take?
- About 2 h 20 for 7 stops, including time at each stop.
- Where does the Complete Madrid tour start and finish?
- It starts at Plaza Mayor and finishes at Gran Vía.
- Which languages is the narration in?
- English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese, with natural-sounding synthetic voices.