Hapsburg Tour and the Royal Palace

Your walking tour starts with the striking buildings of the Hapsburgs; the name given to Madrid when Habsburg dynasty reigned in Spain. During this period, the city was enriched with palaces and monuments often in a Renaissance or Baroque style and by the reign of Philip II, picturesque Madrid was made capital of Spain.

Accompanied by an enthusiastic guide, you will journey past renowned sights such as Monumento de la Encarnacion and famous squares such as Plaza de Oriente, Plaza Mayor, Puerta de la Opera, Plaza Ramales, Plaza de la Villa, Sacramento and Puerta del Sol.

The tour then continues to the Royal Palace, the official home of the Royal Monarchy from 1765 to 1931. The palace is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and best preserved royal homes in Europe and was built on the site of an ancient Arab fortress in the classical Italian baroque style. The entire complex was created with stone and brick vaulting, without any wood, so that it could not be destroyed by fire in the same way as the Arab fortress.

Rich materials were used for the construction and decoration: Spanish marble, gilded stucco, mahogany in doors and windows; and the interior walls are adorned with rich tapestries and frescoes by principal artists of the period Giaquinto, Tiepolo and Mengs, and their Spanish followers Bayeu and Maella. Don't miss the beautiful gardens that surround the palace enhance the grandeur of the building