Explore Lavapiés, one of Madrid’s most culturally diverse and historically rich neighborhoods.
Discover El Botín, recognized by Guinness World Records as one of the oldest restaurants in the world, offers a glimpse into Madrid’s deep culinary traditions.
See Iconic Sites, like the Church of San Isidro and Mercado de San Fernando, which capture the essence of Madrid.
Discover the activities of Luis Candelas, a clever but chaotic outlaw from Madrid who became a wanted man.
Visit the birthplace and family home of Pedro de Ribera, a famous architect from the Baroque period.
Discover a fountain that has stood the test of time and was once featured on British television.
Learn about the hidden remains of Madrid’s Jewish community and how they are said to have influenced the neighborhood.
Mobile Voucher accepted, no need to take the printed tickets!

The Multicultural Madrid Walking Tour of Madrid’s Lavapiés neighborhood offers a deep dive into the rich stories and diverse cultures that make up this lively area. We will start in Plaza Mayor and explore iconic spots like El Botín, Mercado de San Fernando, and the Church of San Isidro. Along the way, learn about Madrid’s origins, famous figures, and unique architecture. This Multicultural Madrid Walking Tour reveals the heart of Lavapiés through its colorful streets, historic buildings, and intriguing stories.

Madrid is a city in Spain with a welcoming and lively spirit that draws people from all over the world. This is especially clear on a walking tour through the colorful neighborhood of Lavapiés. Known for its deep history and energetic atmosphere, Lavapiés is filled with signs of its past, from grand churches to symbols of rebellion and conflict. Lavapiés immediately captures attention with its vibrant street art, lively bars, and bustling markets. The buildings are a mix of old and new, some with beautifully detailed facades and others showing the wear of time. Each one seems to hold a story from another era, adding to the charm and mystery of the neighborhood.

The tour begins in Plaza Mayor, one of Madrid’s most famous squares. From here, visitors can discover places like El Botín, one of the oldest restaurants in the world, and the historic Church of San Isidro, where stories of Madrid’s patron saint are shared. A visit to Mercado de San Fernando adds to the experience, with its lively atmosphere filled with local vendors and residents. The tour wraps up in front of the Monumento a los Abogados de Atocha in Lavapiés, but along the way, there is much more to explore, including stories about Madrid’s origins as a walled city with a gate once standing at Plaza Puerta Cerrada.

As the tour moves through Lavapiés, visitors can learn about unique figures from Madrid’s history. One such story is that of Eloy Gonzalo, a 19th-century hero with a fascinating past, and another is about Luis Candelas, a clever but chaotic outlaw whose exploits made him a hunted man. Alongside these tales, visitors see the birthplace of Pedro de Ribera, a celebrated baroque architect responsible for some of Madrid’s most iconic buildings. Other hidden gems include a historic fountain that once even appeared on British television, and a block of flats that was once an opera house, bringing Madrid’s unique Zarzuelas (Spanish operas) to the public.

The neighborhood also holds traces of Madrid’s Jewish community, whose presence can still be felt in hidden marks and symbols throughout Lavapiés. These subtle details hint at the many layers of history that give the area its unique character. This Multicultural Madrid Walking Tour through Lavapiés and Madrid is a deep dive into the city’s rich culture and past, inviting visitors to truly experience the spirit of one of Madrid’s most captivating neighborhoods.

VoiceMap App
Offline access to Audio, Maps, and Geodata
Access to an Audio Tour of Multicultural Madrid (from Plaza mayor to Lavapies)

Gratuities

You need the VoiceMap Audio Tours app in order to use your booking code and complete the trip! You can look for it by searching Google Play or the Apple App Store, or by visiting onelink.to/voicemap on your smartphone.

Next, take these three actions:

1. Register for an account

2. From the menu, choose Tour Codes, and then click Enter Codes.

3. Type in the tour code and choose "Download Now."

Once you've purchased a tour, it will be added to your VoiceMap library. If you sign in to the app using the same method as you did on the website, you'll have access to your entire tour library.
When the download completes, you'll see a screen showing the starting point, with directions to help you get there.
The app will automatically play audio at the right time and place using GPS-based turn-by-turn directions.

Please take the following actions if, after entering your booking code and initiating the download, you are still waiting for it to finish after more than a few minutes:

1) Cancel the download

2) Choose the Purchased tab after going to Account.

3) Select your tour there, then restart the download.

Free WiFi: No.

Wheelchair or Stroller accessible: No.

This is a 2.9km walking tour

Please note that the app will automatically play audio at the right time and place using GPS-based turn-by-turn directions.

Guests have the option to resume the tour from the nearest location whenever they like.

Guests can enjoy the tours as often as they like through both the VoiceMap app and website.

Please note that once the tour is purchased, it’s added to the VoiceMap library.

The VoiceMap app works offline, so you can enjoy your tour without worrying about roaming fees. Simply download the tour over WiFi before you begin.

Guests are advised to stay cautious of pickpockets – they can be discreet, but not harmful.

How to reach there?

Exit Puerta del Sol and walk up Calle Mayor, to the left of the La Mallorquina bakery. Take the first entrance on the left, just across from Calle Coloreros. The closest metro station is Sol. From there, take the exit for Calle Mayor.

Major Landmarks: Plaza Puerta Cerrada, Church of San Isidro Madrid, El Rastro, Mercado de San Fernando, Tabacalera Madrid, Cine Doré.

Please note that this tour is best enjoyed earlier in the day, around 11 AM, to avoid the crowds from the Sunday Rastro market. It's also a great time to access churches, shops, and bars while steering clear of the afternoon heat.

The Mercado de San Fernando is open from 9 AM to 9 PM on most days, except Sundays when it closes at 5 PM. It also closes from 2 PM to 5 PM on Mondays and at 5 PM on Saturdays during August.

Opening Hours of all Spots:

Las Cuevas de Luis Candelas: Monday- Sunday: 12am-12pm, 1pm-12am.

Sobrino de Botín: Monday-Sunday: 1-4pm, 8pm-12am.

San Fernando Market: Monday: 9am-2pm, 5-9pm; Tuesday-Thursday: 9am-9pm; Friday, Saturday: 9am-11pm; Sunday: 11am-5pm.

Tabacalera: Monday: Closed; Tuesday-Friday: 12-8pm; Saturday-Sunday: 11am-8pm.

Juan Raro: Monday-Thursday: 10am-12am; Friday: 10am-2am; Saturday: 11am-2am; Sunday: 11am-6pm.

Disclaimer: The service provider reserves the right to close or cancel certain shows, attractions, entertainments, restaurants, shops or ancillary facilities without notice. There will be no refund provided in that case.

You must cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the start time of the activity/experience to get a complete refund.
If you cancel your booking less than 24 hours before the start time of the activity/experience, you will not be reimbursed.
Any modifications made less than 24 hours before the start time of the activity/experience will not be allowed.
The cut-off times are determined by the activity/experience's local start time.
This activity/experience is weather dependent. If it is cancelled due to inclement weather, you will be given an alternate date or a full refund.