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Madrid Classics: free self-guided audio tour of Madrid
Madrid Classics is a free self-guided audio walking tour of Madrid, Spain: 5 stops in about 1 h 40. 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 | 5 |
|---|---|
| Duration | about 1 h 40, including time at each stop |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Distance | about 3.1 km in straight lines between the stops (a little more on foot) |
| Start | Plaza Mayor |
| Finish | Plaza de Cibeles |
| Price | Free (some sights charge their own entry ticket) |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese |
From Sol to Prado and Retiro Park
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.
- 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'.
- Retiro ParkWelcome to Retiro Park, Madrid's 'green lung', designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Formerly a private garden for Spanish monarchs in the 17th century, this 125-hectary space became a public park in the late 19th century. It is the perfect place to escape the urban bustle.
- Plaza de CibelesThis is Plaza de Cibeles, one of Madrid's most iconic and photogenic squares. At its center stands the magnificent Cibeles Fountain, sculpted in the 18th century, depicting the goddess of nature on a chariot pulled by two lions. The square is surrounded by monumental buildings, including the spectacular Cybele Palace—the former post office headquarters that now serves as City Hall.
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 Madrid Classics.
- 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 Madrid Classics 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 Madrid Classics tour take?
- About 1 h 40 for 5 stops, including time at each stop.
- Where does the Madrid Classics tour start and finish?
- It starts at Plaza Mayor and finishes at Plaza de Cibeles.
- Which languages is the narration in?
- English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese, with natural-sounding synthetic voices.