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Tour the most literary district of Madrid with a guide Expert venue: Plaza de Santa Ana, Calle de las Huertas with his verses etched on the floor, the Convent where Cervantes rests, the House Museum of Lope de Vega and the corners where Quevedo, Gongora and the geniuses of the Spanish Golden Age. In 21⁄2 hours you will discover the stories, rivalries and secrets that made the Barrio de the Letters the cultural epicentre of Europe in the 17th century. We are the No1 company on TripAdvisor Madrid among more than 1,200 tourism companies, with the Best of the Best Award for 8 consecutive years — only 1% of experiences in the world Get it. More than 20,000 reviews support more than 10 years touring Madrid with travelers from all over the world. Small groups, maximum 25 people per guide. When booking you receive our guide to Madrid by WhatsApp. At the end, your guide recommends where to eat and what not to miss in the neighborhood.
Check Availability✓ Personalized guide to Madrid by WhatsApp (when booking)
✓ Local professional guide, expert in literature and history of Madrid
✓ Exclusive printed matter and illustrated map
✓ Restaurant recommendations and plans at completion
✕ Tip to guide (delivered at completion to satisfaction)
✕ Entrance fees to monuments (completely outside tour)
✕ Food or drinks
15 min
Start point of the tour. Brief introduction to the Spanish Golden Age: who were its protagonists, why the Barrio de las Letras became the literary center of Europe and what we will discover in the next 21⁄2 hours.
15 min
You will discover one of the most striking and original traps in Madrid, an optical illusion painted on the facade of a building that has been surprising travelers for decades. We'll tell you the story he's hiding and the artist who created it.
15 min
One of the narrowest and most mysterious streets in the neighborhood, scene of the Valley-Inclán Esperpentos in Bohemian Lights. Here time literally stops between 18th century cobblestones and facades.
15 min
The heart of the Barrio de las Letras and the most bohemian square in Madrid. You’ll discover the statue of Federico García Lorca, the history of the Spanish Theatre — the oldest theatre in Europe in operation — and the former Golden Age Comedy Corral where Lope de Vega performed.
15 min
The most literary church in Madrid, declared a National Artistic Historical Monument. Here were baptized, married or buried some of the most important writers of the Golden Age. We will tell you who and why this building is inseparable from Spanish literary history.
20 min
The most famous street in the neighborhood, with verses of the great writers of the Golden Age etched on the floor. We will read Cervantes, Quevedo, Lope de Vega and Góngora literally under our feet as we tell you their lives, their geniuses and their most epic rivalries.
10 min
The place where Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Quixote, rests forever. We will tell you the story of the discovery of his remains in 2015, why it took more than 400 years to find his tomb and the connection between Cervantes and this convent that has kept its secret for centuries.
10 min
The street dedicated to the most scathing and brilliant poet of the Golden Age. Here we will tell you the most legendary rivalry in Spanish literature: Francisco de Quevedo versus Luis de Góngora — two geniuses who hated each other and copied each other equally. Insults, satires and poetry in equal parts.
15 min
We close the tour in front of the house where Félix Lope de Vega lived, the most prolific writer in universal history with more than 1,800 plays. You will discover his life, his love scandals, his rivalry with Cervantes and why he was called the Phoenix of the Ingenious.
Puerta del Sol, next to the statue of the Bear and the Madroño, north side in front of the Apple Store. Look for our COMPLETELY YELLOW UMBRELLA — we’ll recognize you instantly even if the square is full. Trouble? Write us on WhatsApp and we will help you in the moment.
End Point
We close our tour at the Lope de Vega House Museum.