Tours & activities in Madrid
Spanish Inquisition Free Walking Tour
Discover the darkest and bloodiest days of Madrid’s history with the Spanish Inquisition tour
ABOUT THE Spanish Inquisition Free Walking Tour
This 2-hour walking tour shows you some of Madrid’s landmarks most closely associated with the dark days of the Spanish Inquisition. Learn about the expulsion of the Jews, persecution, murder and torture during the Inquisition, and even witch covens.
Your Spanish Inquisition Tour starts and finishes in Plaza Mayor. We never cancel; tours run rain, hail or shine.
Religious oppression, torture and banishment
Your expert local guide will give you an in-depth insight into one of the darkest periods of Spanish and European history on the Spanish Inquisition walking tour. What began as an attempt to protect the sanctity of the Catholic church quickly escalated into a regime of oppression, with cruel torture, mass trials, over 3,000 dead and expulsions of entire religious groups, including the Jewish people.
Mysteries, myths and legacies of the Spanish Inquisition
The paranoia that developed during the Spanish Inquisition means that today, its reputation may have even outgrown the brutality of the truth. Your tour guide will tell you some of the more mysterious stories of the Spanish Inquisition, including the exorcisms of the possessed, acts of faith, and even witch covens. Today, the brutality of the Inquisition has created what the Spanish call a black legend, where continued exaggerated writings can create a distorted record of events.
The sites of the Spanish Inquisition in Madrid
You won’t just hear about the terror of the Spanish Inquisition – you’ll see major sites related to the history. Your guide will show you St. Placido, where exorcisms were carried out, take you to Plaza Mayor, where acts of faith took place, and to a jail that was used in the Spanish Inquisition.
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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
The Spanish Inquisition Walking Tour starts in front of the Tourist Information Centre in Plaza Mayor
- Learn about religious persecution and the expulsion of the Jews
- Discover the origins of the Inquisition
- See the Inquisition's jail
- Learn about the possessed of St. Placido
- Explore acts of faith in Plaza Mayor
- Hear about witch covens
- Learn about prosecution, persecution and torture
- Understand why the Spanish refer to the black legend
TOUR SCHEDULES
Today
This tour doesn‘t run today
3:00 PM
3:00 PM
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
- Local English-speaking guide
What’s not included
- Gratuities for the guide (optional)
Additional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Our business is connecting great guides and smart travelers, and we're proud that so many local guides employ us to welcome travelers like you on their journey through some of the world's best cities. No two tours are alike, and the sites, stories, and length of the tour will vary depending on what your freelance guide decides is best. That's why the tours we promote never get stale or feel scripted, and why both independent guides and savvy travelers prefer SANDEMANs
MAP
Tour starts here
Tour usually ends here
Tour usually covers
Customer reviews
Madrid Spanish Inquisition Tour with Lexi
Informative & engaging, highly recommend! We were a family of four adults, and we learned so much on the Spanish Inquisition tour! Lexi Hatfield was a fabulous orator/guide who clearly knew her history and encouraged the tour group to ask many questions. It was clear by her detailed descriptions that she cared about the information she was sharing. Her compassion & empathy helped us to see the injustice of the situation that isn’t spoken of nearly enough. This is a great tour to add some depth to your visit to Madrid!
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Spanish Inquisition Tour
I did the Spanish Inquisition Tour with Jovan Gibson. He was amazing! Such detailed knowledge of the history and places related to the Inquisition in Madrid. He told the history and the stories in such a lively and engaging way - it was fantastic. Would definitely take another tour with him!
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Spanish Inquisition Tour with Enrique
We joined the 7pm Spanish Inquisition walking tour with 3 other participants. Our guide Enrique was born and bred in Madrid - it felt like a warm welcome by a friend to the city of Madrid. His insights and anecdotes made the 2h tour highly engaging and enjoyable. Thank you Enrique!
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Amazing Spanish Inquisition Tour with Enrique!
My sister & I did the Spanish Inquisition Tour & would HIGHLY recommend it! Our guide Enrique was fantastic! His knowledge of the Inquisition & passion for history made this tour so interesting. Enrique was sensitive to certain topics & gave our group time to process particular parts of the tour, which we appreciated. He answered all questions we had & also spoke very clearly. One of the best tours we have done in the past 3 months of travelling Europe. Definitely worth the 14€!
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Alex was great on the Spanish Inquisition tour!
Wanted to learn some more history - its pretty bad when all you know about a major historical event like the Spanish Inquisition is old Monty Python sketches. Alex Birdthistle gave a great tour - he was knowledgeable, fun to talk with, and I learned a lot. Glad I took the tour!
See more reviewsWhat is a Free Tour?
The Free Tour is the best introduction to the city! A general overview tour including many of the highlights of the city, the Free Tour usually lasts around 2.5 hours and is provided by a local freelance guide in partnership with SANDEMANs NEW Europe, so tour content can vary depending on your guide’s particular area of interest and expertise.
The Free Tour is a walking tour with no need for public transport and is designed for independent travellers, not groups. You can book your spot in advance online or simply show up at the start point on the day. There is no payment necessary at the start of the tour but you are welcome to tip your guide at the end!
We believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of Madrid's best local freelance tour guides, who passionately share the city's history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style. They'll never pressure you to tip; we believe that, if money is given, it should be voluntary and in direct proportion to the quality of the tour and the budget of the traveller.
Why join a SANDEMANs FREE Tour?
- The route covers many of Madrid's major landmarks
- The meeting point is centrally located in Plaza Mayor
- The Free Tour is guaranteed to fit within your budget
- The guides performing tips-based Free Tours are incentivized to perform every time
Free Tour - Tips-based
Free Tour of Madrid
Book the original Madrid free walking tour and visit many of the city's highlights with a local guid ...
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Free Tour - Tips-based
Spanish Inquisition Free Walking Tour
Discover the darkest and bloodiest days of Madrid’s history with the Spanish Inquisition tour
Info & Booking
Free
Free Tour - Tips-based
Majestic Madrid Free Walking Tour
Take in some of the most vibrant parts of Madrid on this 2.5-hour walking tour
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Private Tour
2-hour Madrid Highlights Private Tour
Make the most out of your visit and discover Madrid's main attractions with your private tour guide
Info & Booking
€ 250
Private Tour
3-hour Madrid Private City Tour
Enjoy a comprehensive overview of Madrid's fascinating history and must-see sites with your private ...
Info & Booking
€ 350
Customise Your Private Tour!
Tell us the landmarks, stories or parts of the city you want to see, how long you have to see them and when you want to go, and we’ll build an itinerary that suits you.
Get in touch!
Free Tour - Tips-based
Free Tour of Madrid
Book the original Madrid free walking tour and visit many of the city's highlights with a local guid ...
Info & Booking
Free
Free Tour - Tips-based
Spanish Inquisition Free Walking Tour
Discover the darkest and bloodiest days of Madrid’s history with the Spanish Inquisition tour
Info & Booking
Free
Free Tour - Tips-based
Majestic Madrid Free Walking Tour
Take in some of the most vibrant parts of Madrid on this 2.5-hour walking tour
Info & Booking
Free
Private Tour
2-hour Madrid Highlights Private Tour
Make the most out of your visit and discover Madrid's main attractions with your private tour guide
Info & Booking
€ 250
Private Tour
3-hour Madrid Private City Tour
Enjoy a comprehensive overview of Madrid's fascinating history and must-see sites with your private ...
Info & Booking
€ 350
Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.
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