Private Chueca Neighborhood Walk, Madrid

Delve into local Madrid with a 2.5-hour private culture walk around the diverse neighborhood of Chueca, just north of the city's main boulevard, Gran Vía. Once home to convents and military quarters, Chueca became a marginalized, run-down area in the '70s but has undergone a cultural transformation and is now known as a hub for the Spanish LGBTQIA+ community, home to bars, museums, and Spain's largest Pride celebrations.

Meet your guide at Cervecería Santa Bárbara, a traditional beer hall on the edge of Plaza Santa Bárbara, and let them show you an alternative, more authentic side of their city. Wander down Calle Hortaleza to Mercado San Antón, a modern market with food stalls and rooftop restaurants where Madrileños (Madrid locals) buy daily supplies and socialize at the tapas bars. 

Stop at busy squares like Plaza del Dos de Mayo, which commemorates the uprising in 1808 that started the Spanish War of Independence, and listen to your guide's stories. You'll also admire the area's thriving street art scene, check out local hangout spots, and marvel at architectural highlights such as the 18th-century Iglesia Parroquial de Santa Bárbara. Finish the walk with tips on where else to explore in Madrid before saying adiós to your host.