Madrid Royal Habsburg History and La Latina Walking Tour
Delve into Madrid’s Habsburg past and medieval La Latina district on this 2-hour city walking tour. With an expert guide, explore the elegant Habsburg quarter, including the showpiece gems of Plaza Mayor and the small-but-beautiful Plaza de la Villa, as you hear about the city under Habsburg rule. Visit leafy Plaza de Oriente to admire the stately Royal Palace, and then switch to trendy La Latina, Madrid’s oldest district. Dip into the colorful cobbled lanes and squares and learn how the area marks out Madrid’s original, medieval walled center.
Make your own way to the starting point near Plaza Mayor in central Madrid. Meet your expert guide, and if needed, put on the supplied wireless earphones to help you clearly hear your guide’s commentary as you walk.
As you set off, get the lowdown on the Spanish capital’s Habsburg legacy, hearing how, in 1496, Spain’s Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand arranged the marriage of their daughter, Juana, to the heir to the Holy Roman Empire, Philip. The marriage saw Spain join the mighty Habsburg Empire, heralding a 200-year string of Habsburg rulers.
Head for Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s magnificent 17th-century central square. Gaze at the equestrian statue of Habsburg Philip III in the center of the arcaded square, and hear how the plaza stands on the site of a medieval marketplace and was used for bullfights and executions until 1790.
Continue to the Plaza de Oriente, the tree-lined square that fronts the Royal Palace (Palacio Real), to admire the palace’s Baroque exterior and view the royal statues in the square.
Next, see the city’s famous Viaduct and Vistillas Park before delving into lively La Latina, Madrid’s oldest district and woven with cobbled lanes and squares.
Soak up the sights in this cafe-filled, bohemian area as you hear how it marks out Madrid’s original, 9th-century fortified center. Saunter down the narrow streets, stopping every now and then to see its lovely churches and old squares such as the Plaza de la Pajas, once a medieval marketplace.
Lastly, return to the Habsburg quarter and finish at the Plaza de la Villa. Admire this charming square, home to the former town hall, and then end your tour here when you say goodbye to your guide.
