The walk starts at
[1] Puerta del Sol, the geographic centre of Madrid from which all distances are measured. In the middle is a large equestrian statue of Carlos III. The Puerta del Sol is also the location of the symbol of Madrid: a 20 ton statue of a bear eating fruits from a tree.
Head West along Calle Mayor to the
[2] Plaza Mayor presided over by the statue of Philip III. The symmetrical rectangular plaza features a uniform architecture, very similar to the contemporary
Place des Vosges in Paris.
Cross the plaza diagonally and exit at the right of the two Southern exits, down a ramp to Calle de Toledo. Continue down this street, veering right at Calle de Latoneros. Turn right again into Calle Cuchilleros passing
Restaurant Botin [Cuchilleros 17], reputedly the oldest restaurant in the world (1725), and famed for its
cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig).
Further along is the archway
[3] Arco de Cuchilleros, with steps leading back up to Plaza Mayor. The arch was named after the cutlers who in times past set up their shops and workshops in this street. Lots of interesting covered pathways, shops and restaurants around here.
Continue along Calle Mayor to
[4] Plaza de la Villa at the center of which is a statue of Alvaro de Bazan, the Spanish Admiral who planned the Armada. The 17th century building overlooking the square is the
Casa de la Villa (or Town Hall).
Go down two or three steps to Calle Cordon then left at Calle Sacramento to the
[5] Church of San Miguel with its unusual (for Madrid) Baroque style and curved façade. Magnificent frescoes are conserved inside.
Worth a detour is
[6] the small garden off
Plaza de la Paja, a medieval plaza hidden away in the back alleys.
Two of the most traditional and historic streets in Madrid start (or end) at
[7] Puerta de Moros. Cava Baja, and to some extent Cava Alta, are lined with restaurants and tapas bars, and you can easily spend an hour or two bar hopping.
Continue North passing
[8] Colegiata de San Isidro [Calle de Toledo 37-39] (named after the patron saint of Madrid, and formerly Madrid's cathedral) towards Plaza Provincia.
Facing Plaza Provincia is
[9] Palacio de Santa Cruz, formerly a 17th century prison, then the High Court, and currently the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Explore inside.
The walk finishes back at
Puerta del Sol.