--- title: "Medieval Madrid: Plaza Mayor, Arab Wall and Temple of Debod" lang: en alternate_de: https://guidekin.com/de/spain/madrid/tours/medieval-madrid-plaza-mayor-arab-wall-and-temple-of-debod/ type: tour city: Madrid country: Spain price: 4 currency: EUR price_unit: per_group availability: bookable rating: 4.94 reviews: 85 duration_minutes: 150 languages: [en] free_cancellation: "true" schedule_checked: 2026-10-02 data_updated: 2026-10-12 canonical: https://guidekin.com/spain/madrid/tours/medieval-madrid-plaza-mayor-arab-wall-and-temple-of-debod/ --- # Medieval Madrid: Plaza Mayor, Arab Wall and Temple of Debod **Guidekin's take:** Walk from Plaza Mayor through Cava Baja street to the Segovia Bridge and Temple of Debod. A guide and illustrated map are included; this English-only walk stays outdoors and is priced per group, with gratuities extra. 4.94 from 85 reviews at €4 per group/vehicle for 2h 30m. ## Overview Explore ancient Madrid on a 2.5-hour walking tour: Plaza Mayor, Cava Baja street, the Basilica of San Francisco el Grande, the Segovia Bridge, Plaza de Oriente and the Temple of Debod with its breathtaking sunset views. Walk through 10 centuries of history — from the 9th-century Muslim fortification of Magerit to the medieval legends, royal palaces and hidden secrets that shaped one of Europe's most fascinating capitals. We are the #1 company on TripAdvisor Madrid among more than 1,200 tourism businesses, with the Best of the Best Award for 8 consecutive years — only 1% of experiences in the world receive it. Over 20,000 reviews back more than 10 years guiding travelers from around the world through Madrid. Small groups, maximum 25 travelers per guide. Upon booking you receive our personalized Madrid guide via WhatsApp. At the end of the tour your guide recommends the best spots to eat, drink and explore. ## Before you book - Meeting point: Plaza Mayor, - Entry ticket not included: buy it separately - Max 25 people: shared group - Starts 11:00, 17:00, 18:00: 3 departures a day - Food not included: bring or buy your own - Wheelchair accessible: operator-marked - Strollers OK: infants accepted **Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point ## Key facts - Price: from €4 per group/vehicle - Duration: 2h 30m - Rating: 4.94/5 from 85 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Operator: Trip Tours Madrid - Group: Shared, up to 25 travellers - Guide languages: English - Tickets: Admission not included, pay on site - Start times: 11:00, 17:00, 18:00 - Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket - Price checked on Viator: 2026-10-02 ## Reviews 4.94 from 85 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor. 99% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 84 of 85. - 5 stars: 83 (98%) - 4 stars: 1 (1%) - 3 stars: 0 (0%) - 2 stars: 0 (0%) - 1 star: 1 (1%) ### What reviewers say Reviewers praise historical storytelling and local tips; an isolated complaint concerns a guide failing to arrive. **Praised:** - Historical storytelling that mixes Madrid's past with humour - Routes through quieter streets and less familiar parts of the city - Detailed answers to questions about Madrid and Spanish history - Useful recommendations for restaurants and places to visit - Sunset views at the end of the walk **Complaints:** - No recurring complaint emerges from the supplied reviews Written by Guidekin from the 74 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2024-04-13 to 2026-09-07); last checked 2026-10-04. ## What's included - Restaurant and activity recommendations at the end of the tour - Printed materials and exclusive illustrated map - Personalized Madrid guide via WhatsApp (upon booking) - Professional local guide, expert in Madrid's medieval history ## Not included - Guide gratuity (given at the end of the tour based on satisfaction) - Monument entrance fees (tour is fully outdoors) - Food and drinks ## Itinerary 1. **Plaza Mayor** (20m) - Madrid's most iconic square, built in 1619 under King Philip III. Stage for bullfights, markets, Inquisition trials and public executions. We'll uncover 400 years of history hidden behind its 237 windows and 9 entrance archways. 2. **Calle De La Cava Baja** (20m) - One of Madrid's oldest streets, built over the outer moat of the medieval city wall. Discover its history as the heart of inns and taverns since the 17th century and why it remains one of Madrid's best streets for tapas and wine today. 3. **El Madrono** (20m) - Madrid's most iconic symbol: the bear leaning on the strawberry tree. We'll tell you the origin of the city's coat of arms, the medieval dispute between Madrid's Council and the Archbishop of Toledo that shaped it, and the story of the madroño liqueur made from its berries. 4. **Real Basilica de San Francisco el Grande** (20m) - One of the largest domes in the Christian world at 33 meters wide — bigger than the Pantheon in Rome. Built on a convent traditionally founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. We'll admire its facade and tell you about the Goya and Zurbarán masterpieces inside. 5. **Puente de Segovia** (20m) - Madrid's oldest bridge, built by Philip II in 1584. From here you'll have the best panoramic views of the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral. We'll explain why Philip II ordered such a monumental bridge to cross such a small river as the Manzanares. 6. **Plaza de Oriente** (20m) - Madrid's most elegant garden, flanked by the Royal Palace, the Royal Theatre and 44 statues of Visigoth and Spanish kings. Designed by Joseph Bonaparte during French occupation. We'll share the stories of royal life and the intrigues of the Spanish court. 7. **Templo de Debod** (20m) - A 2,200-year-old Egyptian temple in the heart of Madrid, donated by Egypt to Spain in 1968 as thanks for rescuing Nubian temples during the construction of the Aswan Dam. We finish here with the most spectacular panoramic views of Madrid at sunset. ## Schedule - Runs: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat - Departures: 11:00, 17:00, 18:00 - Schedule last checked: 2026-10-02 - These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout. ## Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. ## Meeting point Plaza Mayor, next to the Casa de la Carnicería — the Hotel Pestana Collection building, on the north side of the square (entrance from Calle Toledo). Look for our COMPLETELY YELLOW UMBRELLA — you'll spot us instantly even if the square is busy. Questions? Message us on WhatsApp. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJj-b0kXopQg0R3wd0Hn7Ii-U Ends: Look for the umbrella in full yellow. ## Good to know - 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 ## Cost for your party | People | Total | Per person | |---|---|---| | 2 | €4 | €2 | | 4 | €4 | €1 | | 6 | €4 | €1 | Cheapest option for that party size from the operator's current price tiers; the calendar shows the exact figure for your date. ## More in Madrid - All Madrid tours: https://guidekin.com/spain/madrid/?format=md - This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/spain/madrid/tours/medieval-madrid-plaza-mayor-arab-wall-and-temple-of-debod/ Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/spain/madrid/?format=md