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Offered languages
- English
- English
Madrid’s Islamic heritage comes alive in its oldest neighbourhoods’ winding streets. On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll see medieval walls, hidden towers, and forgotten sites that tell the story of Mayrit – Madrid’s original Arabic name. Starting at the Monument to Felipe IV in Plaza de Oriente, you’ll peel back layers of history to reveal the fascinating Muslim foundations of Europe’s only capital city to be founded by an Islamic ruler. As you make your way to the charming Plaza de los Carros where the tour ends, you’ll wander through the charming cobblestone streets of the former Morería (Muslim quarter). You’ll explore how Christians, Muslims, and Jews coexisted through centuries of shifting power dynamics, leaving their mark on everything from architecture and art to language and cuisine.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
This tour starts at Monument to Felipe IV. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
This tour ends at Qanat.
Itinerary
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Monument to Felipe IV (Pass by)
Begin your journey at this impressive bronze equestrian statue in Plaza de Oriente, depicting the 17th-century Spanish king. Discover how this grand royal monument stands above layers of Madrid's hidden Islamic past.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Explore this underground archaeological site revealing medieval foundations and fortifications from Muslim Mayrit. Learn how this tower formed part of the city's original ninth-century defensive system.
Admission ticket free -
Church of St. Nicholas of the Servitas (San Nicolas de las Servitas) (Pass by)
Marvel at Madrid's oldest surviving church, whose tower displays distinctive Mudéjar horseshoe arches borrowed from mosque architecture. Discover how Muslim artisans left their mark on this 12th-century Christian building.
Admission ticket free -
Arab Wall (Pass by)
Walk along the impressive medieval walls built of flint that once protected Muslim Mayrit from invasion. Experience the origins of Madrid's motto "My walls are made of fire" at these ninth-century fortifications.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Enjoy panoramic views from this elevated vantage point overlooking the Almudena Cathedral and Royal Palace. Discover how this strategic location reveals Madrid's defensive position during its Islamic period.
Admission ticket free -
Corral De La Moreria (Pass by)
Pass through this historic street in the heart of the former Morería, where Madrid's Muslim population lived after the Christian conquest. Learn how this neighbourhood preserves the memory of the city's Islamic quarter.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stroll through this beautifully restored 18th-century garden featuring elements of both Roman and Andalusian design. Experience the peaceful atmosphere that reflects Madrid's layered cultural heritage.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Admire this medieval church whose tower showcases Mudéjar architectural elements created by Muslim craftsmen. Explore how Islamic artistic traditions continued to influence Christian Madrid for centuries.
Admission ticket free -
Museo de San Isidro (Pass by)
Discover this museum dedicated to Madrid's history, housed in a Renaissance palace built over earlier medieval foundations. Learn about the city's evolution from Islamic Mayrit to Christian Madrid through archaeological finds and exhibits.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Explore traces of the underground waterway system that gave Madrid its Arabic name, meaning "source of water." Marvel at the advanced hydraulic engineering that allowed Muslim settlers to thrive in this elevated location.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Visit the archaeological remains of this medieval church that once stood on the site of Madrid's original mosque. Discover how Christian rulers built over Islamic sites to assert their dominance after the reconquest.
Admission ticket free -
Plaza de Ramales (Pass by)
Pass through this small square that conceals layers of history beneath its cobblestones, including remnants of medieval churches. Learn how archaeological discoveries here have revealed Madrid's complex multicultural past.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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