When I first came to Madrid, I was recommended the “Sandeman Walking Tour” by at least 3 different people. I thought — a 3 hour-long tour talking about boring historical facts and all that walking, too? No way! Sounds both physically and mentally exhausting. However, after yet another person recommended the same thing, I decided to give it a shot. Big surprise: I loved it! And so did the 20 other tourists I experienced it with! It was neither boring nor exhausting; in fact, it was quite the opposite. It shows you an old and yet youthful Madrid covering all areas of your interest from historical facts and monuments to bars, restaurants and shopping centres; a perfect guide to make the most of your stay in Madrid. Now I’m one of them, furthering their legacy, and I’m recommending the tour to you. Here are 5 reasons why:
1. Free of Cost!
How to spot the Sandeman Tour Guides at Plaza Mayor | Jasmin Singh
Yes, you read correctly; this tour is free of cost! If you’re wondering how they earn money — well, the places they show you pay them to introduce you to those places (in most cases). In addition, at the end of the tour, you have the option to tip them as much as you like and trust me, their entertainment will make you want to!
2. Hilarious Tour Guide!
The Sandeman tour guides are less guides and more entertainers. You do the tour in a group of about 20 people and they start off with introductions so they can keep interactions going the entire time. They make fun of you and themselves, they make fun of the city and in this constant fun and laughter, you almost don’t recognise the amount of information they have passed on to you. For example, my tour guide was explaining an old Madrid tradition of execution to us by calling a volunteer from the group and performing the practice on him (without an actual knife, of course). The group laughed at that the entire tour and the guide kept referring back to it, but it really helped us understand how and why the idea of this tradition came about and how the locals perceived it even today. Moreover, at the end of the tour, the guide offers his or her card to you if you want to contact them with any questions during your stay in Madrid.
S. They say their speciality is bars and nightclubs…
3. Social norms and Local conventions!
My entertaining tour guide, Enrique, has us introduce ourselves | Jasmin Singh
In all honesty, this is one of the biggest reasons you should do this tour (preferably at the beginning of your trip). In addition to telling you about the history and traditions of Madrid, the tour informs you of the social norms and etiquette of the city and conventions that you, as a tourist, don’t but should know. For example, “do not eat tapas alone” was a cheery piece of advice our guide gave us. He went on to say, “You can do it if you like, but it’s considered very, very sad.” Another very useful piece of advice was the local name of sangria “tinto de verano” which is basically sangria sans the fruits and sans the expense! It costs half as much as a sangria and is typically a low-cost wine mixed with either lemon or with sweet soda water. It’s so local that you may not find it on the menu! So if you go up to a bar and ask for a sangria, they’ll know you’re a tourist and you’ll end up paying about 10 euros ($11.75) for a pitcher. But if you go up to a bar and ask for “tinto de verano,” they may assume you’re a local and you get the same drink for about 4 or 5 euros! Knowledge of these local conventions makes your stay so much richer, doesn’t it?
4. Fun facts about Madrid!
Enrique reminiscing about the stupidity of an old king and making us laugh | Jasmin Singh
Of course, they take you to the “must see” spots of Madrid like the Royal Palace, and the beautiful churches, which is great because you get to see them all in one tour since you actually walk to them. You are also explained a brief history of each place; however not in a boring, conventional way but with fun facts. Facts that are common knowledge amongst locals but are very difficult to find on Google because of their, well, insignificance. The best example I can think of is the story behind the famous “” I won’t spoil it for you, but it is such an interesting and funny story as are the little stories behind all of these famous “Madrid things” we hear about. It adds a depth to your tour and you feel personally invested in the city because of these facts.
5. 1000 years of history in less than 10 mins!
A rear view of the Almudena Cathedral | Jasmin Singh
At the beginning of the tour, the guide promises you that they will tell you 1000 years of history of Madrid in 10 minutes, and they do! And do it in a way that you remember it. If only my history teacher in school were this good… The guides call volunteers out of the touring group and make them certain kings or conquerors and so on and make you act the history out. It’s hilarious to witness but also very easy to understand the dynamic amongst the various parties that ruled Madrid this way. And of course, they add in their “fun facts” to this history which makes it that much more interesting. You know the secret fears and guilty pleasures of all the kings and how they used it against one another; almost like you’re witnessing an episode of Game of Thrones.
It is unbelievable to me that a tour with so much exposure and fun is free of cost! Trust me, it will make your trip to Madrid so much richer and help you connect with the city from its roots. It definitely helped me.
The tours run every day. You start at Plaza Mayor (in the middle, by the statue) and you can spot the tour guides with their red shirts and umbrellas! The tour is available in both English and Spanish and is free of cost up to a group of 9 people (groups larger than 9 have to pay). You have to sign up beforehand; you can do so at http://www.neweuropetours.eu/madrid/en/home.
Travel Journalism, Photography & Video Internship Seminar in Madrid, Spain