Step beyond Madrid’s famous facades with Walkative! and uncover the powerful stories of conflict, dictatorship, and revival that shaped the city’s 20th century. This walking tour reveals the unseen history at the heart of Spain’s capital.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; involves steady walking on urban terrain.
Wildlife
History
Madrid’s 20th century was marked by the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), Franco's dictatorship (1939–1975), and a democratic transition thereafter that reshaped both the city and Spain.
Conservation
Walkative! promotes responsible tourism by encouraging respect for Madrid’s historic areas and reducing crowd impact, preserving urban heritage for future visitors.
Walkative!
Step beyond Madrid’s famous facades with Walkative! and uncover the powerful stories of conflict, dictatorship, and revival that shaped the city’s 20th century. This walking tour reveals the unseen history at the heart of Spain’s capital.
Walkative! is a network of professional walking tour operators featured on The Adventure Collective. They curate guided walks that highlight history, culture, food, architecture and local stories across a large catalogue of destinations.
Walkative! offers a mix of free and paid tours, including single-city introductions, deep-dive historical routes, themed night tours, food-focused experiences and memorial or museum visits. Popular examples include Edinburgh Old Town, Warsaw Historic Centre, Communist Tirana, Rebellion & Independence – Dublin North Side Tour and the London Music Free Walking Tour. Tours vary in length and format — for example, the Old Town Poznań walk lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes, while the Dublin north side route is 2.5 hours. Many itineraries focus on specific moments or themes such as World War II, communist history, Jewish heritage, modern architecture and local nightlife.
Walkative! works with local guides who present factual narratives, landmark context and practical visitor information. The catalogue includes city staples, offbeat neighbourhoods, memorial sites and evening walks, so visitors can pick experiences that match interests and schedules. Being featured on The Adventure Collective signals recognition within a curated travel network. Walkative! listings clearly identify tour themes, starting points and any booking requirements, making it straightforward for travellers to compare options and plan visits. Whether seeking a concise introduction to a capital or an in-depth thematic route, Walkative! provides structured, guide-led walks that connect visitors to places through stories, sights and local perspectives. Tour listings cover monuments, museums, neighborhoods, food stops and memorials across many destinations.
Tours Offered
150 tours
Curated walking experiences across many cities
Featured On
The Adventure Collective
Listed on a curated travel platform
Durations
Multiple durations
Short and longer guided walk options
Local Guides
Guide-led walks
Local, knowledgeable guides on each route
Compare free and paid tours, read reviews, and reserve a spot on themed or city walks.
Wear comfortable shoes
Urban walking tours cover several kilometers on varied pavement—sturdy, supportive footwear is a must.
Bring a water bottle
Madrid’s dry climate means staying hydrated is important, especially during summer months.
Prepare for sun exposure
Carry sun protection like a hat and sunscreen, as parts of the tour include open plazas.
Arrive on time
The tour starts at Pl. de Isabel II; punctuality ensures you don’t miss key segments and group cohesion.
Comfortable walking shoes
Supports foot health on pavement and cobblestone streets.
Water bottle
Hydration is vital in Madrid’s summer heat.
summer
Sun protection
Protects skin during exposed outdoor segments.
spring|summer|fall
Light rain jacket
Useful for sudden showers typical in cooler seasons.
spring|fall|winter