Four guided tours to experience the magic of Christmas in Madrid

The Madrid City Council has once again launched a

by professionals in the sector, which this time has Christmas as the common thread.

Until December 31, those interested can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of festivities and traditions by following any of

, lasting approximately two hours, proposed by the council.

The visits are carried out outdoors in groups of no more than 20 people and at a

.

In total, there will be 130 passes that can be purchased at the ticket office of

, located in the Casa de la Panadería, and online here.

These are the four itineraries.

Christmas traditions

The Plaza Mayor Tourism Center (Plaza Mayor, 27) is the meeting point of this route that allows you to know

in the surroundings of the Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, as well as what are the typical sweets of Christmas, the most popular gift items and Christmas decorations.

It has stops at the centennial

, famous for its churros, and

, a well-known patisserie and cafeteria founded in 1855 by which he was Queen Isabel II's pastry chef.

The Plaza de Santa Cruz, the

(where you enter to see the monumental nativity scene, one of the oldest in Madrid), the Plaza del Conde Miranda, the Calle Mayor or the

, in Puerta del Sol (It is also accessed to see the nativity scene of the Madrid Nativity Scene Association), are some of the points of this itinerary that takes place every day (except December 25) at 12 noon.

Chocolatería San Ginés.

Legends, haunted houses and lights at Christmas

Madrid keeps many secrets, that is why popular chronicles speak of haunted houses, ghosts, legends ... Thus, in addition to taking a tour to see the lights and find out how they have changed from one year to the next, who has designed them, etc., this itinerary serves to discover

It includes some streets, palaces and houses of the Villa and Corte that enclose behind their walls paranormal events and events marked by the appearance of presences, such as the streets

,

or

.

One of the stops is the

(Plaza del Rey, 1), current Ministry of Culture, perfectly recognizable by the seven chimneys on the roof of this 16th century building. The place keeps the gloomy history of Elena, the daughter of a montero of Felipe II, whose corpse, after some reforms, appeared sandwiched in one of the rooms of the mansion in the 19th century, three centuries after her disappearance. Another of the stories told in this guided tour is that of the

the symbol of Madrid. Why does it become the emblem of the capital? Is it a bear or a she-bear that leans on the tree? The guide clarifies these and more questions about the Puerta del Sol sculpture.

The meeting point is the Plaza Mayor Tourism Center (Plaza Mayor, 27) and the hours of the visit are at 6:00 p.m. every day.

Typical Christmas shopping

This tour also begins at the Plaza Mayor Tourism Center and passes through the most common establishments and commercial spaces at Christmas time and with greater history, from the emblematic

to Doña Manolita, the famous sales office of lottery, which although many remember it only on these dates, is open all year round.

The visit is ideal to get closer to the different gastronomic products, decoration and other typical articles of the Madrid shops.

One of the stops is made at the recently opened

, in the square of the same name. There, the story of this complex of seven historic buildings in the capital, restored and recovered, is told to become a benchmark for leisure, gastronomy and tourism. In addition to the Food Hall, with 13 restaurants of various nationalities, the space houses some

luxury

(it is expected that throughout 2022 the most recognized fashion, accessories, jewelry and beauty brands will also be installed) and centuries-old stores. Those interested can enter

, the legendary chocolate shop known for its violet candies, located in the Plaza de Canalejas since the 19th century.

The hours of this route are at 12 and 18 h.

(On the 24th and 31st they will be held only at 12 noon).

The Ratoncito Pérez and Madrid

Family route starting at the Palacio Real Tourist Information Point (Bailén street, corner with Requena street) that brings the little ones closer to one of the most popular stories of the capital: that of the little King Buby and the Ratón Pérez. It is a journey through values ​​such as generosity and courage that, thanks to Father Coloma's narration of this unique relationship, King Buby knows how his little subjects lived. In this tour that leaves from the Plaza de Oriente and ends at Arenal Street, the participants learn how Buby learns to be brave, to take care of his people and to be generous with others, things that would serve him for his future reign. Passes every day (except December 25) at 4:00 p.m.

Three of these four itineraries (

,

and

) are

routes

that have been adapted for people with disabilities and their companions.

They are available from Thursday to Sunday until December 31 (more information and schedules here).

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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