Dark Side of Madrid: Ghosts, Executions & Murders Walking Tour
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Madrid, Spain
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Overview
One of the darkest and most fascinating chapters in the history of Spain is the Spanish Inquisition, when power centralized under the unified Spanish kingdom. On this walking tour that's perfect for history fans, learn how the brutal tribunals played out in Madrid. Uncover the legends of the Inquisition, its key players, and how torture was used against its victims. By the end of the tour, see Madrid through the lens of history.
- Explore Madrid on foot, and learn the history of the Spanish Inquisition
- See Madrid's top sights, like Plaza Mayor, and Monastery of the Encarnación
- Learn about the origins and practices of the Inquisition from your guide
- Enjoy convenient meet-up in Plaza Mayor, a public square in central Madrid
What's Included
- Local guide
- Hotel pickup and drop off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Plaza Mayor, Centro, Madrid, Spain
Your Madrid's Dark Side Walking Tour starts in front of the Tourist Information Centre in Plaza Mayor. Look for the SANDEMANs Tours team with a red umbrella.
End point
- Linares PalacePl. Cibeles, s/n, Salamanca, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Finish at Palacio de Linares (steps from Banco de España Metro)
Start time.6:00 pm
Itinerary
1
Plaza Mayor
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Calle de la Sal
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Iglesia de San Gines (Pass By)
3
Puerta del Sol
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Plaza De Santa Ana
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Congreso de Los Diputados
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Palacio de Buenavista
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Palacio de Linares
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Children up to 13 years old are welcome to join this tour for free.
- Our guides have your best interests in mind; while the tour usually includes the sites & stories mentioned and lasts about 2 hours, your tour may vary depending on what your guide thinks is best for your group.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 413 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Chris_S, Aug 2026
John did a great job weaving Madrid’s dark history, legends, and ghost stories together. Nice that it wasn’t a huge group (around 15 of us), but John had a big voice as well, so it could have been more without any problem to hear him.
Linda_S, Aug 2026
Absolutely loved this tour! José was an outstanding guide, combining fascinating historical facts with mysterious and chilling stories about Madrid. His passion and storytelling made the experience incredibly engaging, and we learned so many intriguing details about the city. A unique way to discover Madrid after dark—5 stars without a doubt! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tahnee_B, Aug 2026
This tour visits places that you would completely miss as a tourist, but have such cool history behind it. I was impressed by how many hidden locations, alleyways, and historic spots John brought us to; and he was such a great storyteller and answered all of our questions. His passion for local history made every stop interesting, you can really tell he loves and knows his city of Madrid and made me fall in love with it too!
It’s informative, a little gruesome, and there were some really unexpected stories. Easily one of the most unique night activities I've ever done as a tourist.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much, Tahnee! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed discovering the hidden, darker side of Madrid with John. It’s wonderful to know that his storytelling, knowledge, and passion for the city brought those lesser-known alleyways, historic sites, and sinister stories to life.
The Dark Side of Madrid: Ghosts, Executions & Murders Walking Tour is all about uncovering the unusual history that’s easy to miss on a typical visit, so we’re thrilled it gave you such a unique perspective on Madrid. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with John, especially your comments about his storytelling and enthusiasm.
We hope you left Madrid with plenty of memorable stories—and perhaps a slightly different view of the city after dark!
Karla | SANDEMANs Team
Yoann_R, Aug 2026
One of the best walking tour I ever joined. Super engaging guide, super engaging stories. Highly recommended, definetely one of the highlights of my short trip to Madrid!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that the Dark Side of Madrid: Ghosts, Executions & Murders Walking Tour was one of the best walking tours you’ve experienced and a highlight of your trip to Madrid.
It’s fantastic to know that you found the guide and stories so engaging. Exploring Madrid’s darker history through its real locations and unusual stories makes for a memorable way to discover the city, and we’re delighted that you enjoyed the experience so much.
Thank you for the recommendation, and we hope to see you again on another SANDEMANs tour!
Karla | SANDEMANs Team
Chibu_T, Aug 2026
Really enjoyed this tour! It was a great way to discover a different side of Madrid and learn about its darker past, including the Inquisition, ghost stories and some fascinating true crime stories. John was an excellent guide — very knowledgeable, friendly and a great storyteller. He made the whole experience fun and engaging from start to finish. Definitely recommend this tour if you want to see a different side of Madrid!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed discovering a different side of Madrid with our Dark Side of Madrid: Ghosts, Executions & Murders Walking Tour.
It’s wonderful to know that John brought Madrid’s darker past to life through stories of the Inquisition, ghostly legends, and fascinating true crime. His knowledge and storytelling are a big part of what makes this experience so engaging, so we’re especially pleased that you found him friendly, knowledgeable, and entertaining throughout the tour.
Thank you for the recommendation! We hope you enjoyed exploring Madrid’s darker history with us and that you’ll join us again on another SANDEMANs tour.
Karla | SANDEMANs Team
Stefanie_C, Jun 2026
This tour was incredible. Fascinating information about the Spanish inquisition. Our tour guide John was so very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. He also added excitement and humor which always makes a tour far more interesting. I would highly recommend this tour for everyone!! Wow, so so cool!!!!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
What a great review to read — thank you! John certainly knows how to bring the past to life, and it sounds like his stories and energy made the tour even more enjoyable. Thanks for
joining us and for the lovely recommendation!
Warm regards,
Tricia | SANDEMANs Team
Susie_H, Jun 2026
John is an OUTSTANDING guide! He is enthusiastic, informative and interesting! This tour was filled with fascinating bits of history, architecture and stories about Spanish society. It was a wonderful way to spend 2 hours in the old part of Madrid. I highly recommend it!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Susie,
John has a real talent for making history feel engaging and easy to connect with, and it sounds like you got to experience the best of old Madrid with him. We appreciate the recommendation and hope your time in Madrid was filled with many more great experiences!
Warm regards,
Tricia | SANDEMANs Team
Ann_M, Apr 2026
What’s not to love about a tour that teaches us about Spanish history and the inquisition. John, our guide was knowledgeable, personable and entertaining throughout our experience. I would highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Ann,
Thank you for the kind review! John will be so happy to hear your feedback. Bringing history to life is what he does best, and we’re glad he made the tour such an engaging experience for you.
Tricia | SANDEMANs Team
Brad_M, Mar 2026
Well worth it... Sebastian was very knowledgeable and passionate about Spanish history. Very well done. Sebastian
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review, Brad! We’re delighted to hear that you found the Dark Side of Madrid: Ghosts, Executions & Murders Walking Tour well worth your time.
It’s great to know that Sebastian’s knowledge and passion for Spanish history made the experience so enjoyable. Bringing Madrid’s darker and more fascinating stories to life is what this tour is all about, and we’re glad Sebastian delivered such a memorable experience.
We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Sebastian. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to see you again on another SANDEMANs tour!
Karla | SANDEMANs Team
Pat_M, Mar 2026
this was a wonderful food tour.
I highly recommend this to everyone.
Excellente ExcellenteExcellenteExcellenteExcellenteExcellenteExcellenteExcellenteExcellenteExcellenteExcellente
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for your enthusiastic review! We’re delighted to hear that you had a wonderful experience with us and appreciate your strong recommendation.
We’re glad to know you had such an enjoyable time exploring Madrid with us. It’s always great to hear that our guests leave with a memorable experience.
Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back on another SANDEMANs tour in Madrid!
Karla | SANDEMANs Team
Paul_C, Feb 2026
John was just fantastic - passionate, incredibly knowledgeable and a great story teller! Would highly recommend this tour
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for the brilliant review, Paul! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the Dark Side of Madrid: Ghosts, Executions & Murders Walking Tour and that John made such a great impression.
His passion for Madrid’s history, knowledge, and storytelling are a huge part of what makes this tour so engaging, so it’s wonderful to hear that they stood out throughout your experience.
Thank you for the recommendation! We’re so glad you enjoyed exploring Madrid’s darker history with John, and we hope to see you again on another SANDEMANs tour.
Karla | SANDEMANs Team
Hricha_R, Jan 2026
Best tour I've had. Learnt so much about the history of Spain all in an hour and a half. Our tiur guide was John Thrower and in light of me having to leave early and also my friends feeling cold (it was 0°C)....John accommodated us with kindness and patience. Please do consider joining this tour
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Hricha! We’re thrilled to hear the Walking Tour was the best tour you’ve had and that you learned so much about Spanish history during your time with us.
It’s especially lovely to hear about John’s kindness and patience. With temperatures around 0°C, we can certainly understand the challenge of staying outside, and we’re glad he was able to accommodate you and your friends while still making the experience enjoyable.
John’s knowledge and storytelling are a big part of what brings Madrid’s history to life, and we’re delighted that you enjoyed the tour despite the cold. Thank you for recommending it to others!
Karla | SANDEMANs Team
Cecille_G, Oct 2022
Thank you to Joaquin for making such a heavy topic so interesting and engaging while walking through the streets of Madrid. He was passionate and knowledgeable about the Spanish Inquisition and imparted lots of good tips about Madrid.
Steve_R, Oct 2022
The guide, Sebastian, was excellent! Smart, knowledgeable, interesting. He provided a 5-star experience.
Mihaela_N, Oct 2022
The guide (Enrique) was very entertaining and i got a goog idea of the history behind the inquisition.
Arik_R, Oct 2022
Enrique was a very knowledgeable guide and will give you an excellent "crash course" when it comes to the inquisition. That being said, since most of the Inquisition's activities were NOT based in Madrid, there isn't a lot to see on the tour itself. Thus, I would describe this tour as "A 'Crash Course' in the Spanish Inquisition with a short walking tour of Madrid," rather than a "Spanish Inquisition Tour."
Lorraine_W, Oct 2022
Joachin is passionate about the subject. It was a great way to learn more about the history of Madrid and of Spain.
David_T, Aug 2022
Lexi was an excellent historian/tour guide - she really made history come alive and was very well-informed about the events of the Inquisition. I would highly recommend this tour - even to those who aren’t much interested in history - Lexi made it all fascinating!
khush_g, Jul 2022
Jovan Gibbs was absolutely engaging throughout the tour.
He really brought the history to life and the 2 hours flew by.
I would definitely sign up for another tour with him.
Ayoub_H, May 2022
The guide was good but it wasn't as expected in term of visiting indoor sites like museum etc.., it just outside and a lot of walking.
Angela_M, Mar 2022
This was an absolutely fantastic tour. Sebastian was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic and we were gripped throughout. We learned so much about the Spanish Inquisition and how it has shaped Madrid and Spain. This was a real highlight of our trip.
Wills_M, Dec 2021
I got to Plaza Mayor 10 minutes before the tour. I never found anyone with a red umbrella. I called 3 times and all went straight to voicemail. I tried the chat function and never got in touch with anyone and still haven’t gotten a reply. I searched the plaza for 40 minutes before giving up.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
We are truly sorry to hear about your experience and sincerely apologize for the frustration and disappointment this caused.
We completely understand how upsetting it must have been to arrive 10 minutes early, wait at the meeting point, search the plaza for an extended period, and still be unable to find the guide. We also regret that your attempts to contact us by phone and through our chat service did not receive a response. You should have received the assistance and support needed in that situation.
Your feedback has been shared with the relevant team so they can investigate what happened with the meeting point coordination and the lack of response from our support channels. We continuously work to improve our tours, guide coordination, and customer service based on guest feedback, and situations like this are taken seriously.
Thank you for taking the time to let us know what happened. We appreciate your patience and are sorry that we were unable to provide the experience you expected on this occasion.
Warm regards,
Tricia | SANDEMANs Team
Amara_B, Mar 2020
Took this tour knowing nothing about the Spanish inquisition with my 2 older kids. Lexi was awesome full of knowledge explaining and giving lots of details! It super impressed my 19yr old son who still keeps saying mom that was a great tour! Will recommend to everyone.
bryan_m, Feb 2020
Alex was a star. He brought a level of interest to the subject that few instructors seem to be capable of. He added depth of knowledge with a sense of humour on the subject of the Spanish Inquisition in his own unique way. The next time I’m in Madrid it’ll be a must to take in another tour.
christina_f, Feb 2020
Alex did a fantastic job of highlighting the Spanish Inquisition and helping to dispel some of the imaginaries associated with it. Great interactive history lesson!
Kimberly_S, Nov 2019
We enjoyed the tour. Mark did a great job. We enjoyed his personal commentary! Wish there were more of the gritty details but for the price it was great!
Eti_D, Oct 2019
We were in Jovan's team . He was very professional, funny , knowledgeable guy.
We really enjoyed it .
Very recommended!!!
Thank you so much
Jayne G, Sep 2019
Excellent tour by Sebastian. Very interesting and enlightening. Sebastian is very friendly , charismatic and knowledgeable. Definitely worth doing this tour
Michael P, Aug 2019
Unfortunately, I didn't make a note of the guide's name (Ernesto?), which is a shame as he is VERY good. I had read about the Spanish Inquisition before my visit to Madrid but to see the sights and tread the same streets as the infamous organisation was chilling. Ernesto's explanations and insights really brought the story to life and the route through the streets showed areas of the city normally off the tourist trail.
Timothy_T, Jul 2019
Family of 4, it’s cooler at night and actually rained during the tour. There are spots to keep dry and Spain is hot, so a bit of rain helps. The tour was educational and took us thru streets of Madrid. The group lead was helpful and informative. Answered all of our questions. Family if 2 adults, 13 year old and 9 year old attended the tour. Walking tour is more manageable at night when cooler compared to navigating thru the massive traffic congestion in Madrid.
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