Dramatised and unusual tours in Spain

Do you like finding out everything about the places you visit? Do you always have a thousand questions when you go to a new one? Do you love to imagine historical monuments filled with the life and atmosphere of their past? Then you're going to love these destinations with unusual and dramatised tours.

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Madrid

Did you know central Madrid has a literary quarter, the Barrio de las Letras? You can explore it with the dramatised tour organised by the Lope de Vega House-Museum (usually in May and June), which introduces some of the most important writers of Spanish literature's Golden Age. There is also a very popular dramatised tour of the Palacio de Fomento building, available all year. This is next to Buen Retiro Park, opposite Puerta de Atocha railway station. There are only two options but there are different groups that organize thematic routes around the city. Some of the most popular tours focus on traditional cuisine, architecture, art, or flamenco, for example.

Around Madrid

Towns like Alcalá de Henares (about 35 kilometres from Madrid) and San Lorenzo de El Escorial (50 kilometres from Madrid) have a lot to offer visitors, and also offer dramatised tours. In Alcalá de Henares most of these focus on its most famous son, Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. In San Lorenzo de El Escorial, for example, these tours include discovering iconic buildings such as the Real Coliseo Carlos III guided by the king himself.

Don Quixote and Sancho Panza at the Cervantes Market in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid

Barcelona

Who better to show you Barcelona than its most famous artists? You can take the themed tours on Gaudí or Picasso, for example, finding your own way on foot or on a bicycle tour with a guide. Tours are also available featuring period characters who educate participants on the secrets of the Catalan capital's Gothic Quarter, bursting with medieval buildings, legends and mysteries.Catalonia offers other very interesting dramatised tours. For example, the Archaeology Museum of Catalonia regularly uses actors to bring the famous Greek ruins of Empuries (Girona) to life; and Siurana Castle (Tarragona) recreates its past on the second Saturday of each month.

Granada

Here you will find dramatised tours almost the entire year. We recommend asking about the tour of Granada in the footsteps of the famous poet Federico García Lorca. Other interesting thematic tours are those that discover the curiosities and secrets of Granada, its monumental cemetery or the romantic city of the 19th century.Granada is also home to the Alhambra, and there are special tours here too. Take the opportunity to see it in a new light, with a night-time tour of its palaces and gardens. You can also take a guided tour of the Albaicín neighbourhood.

Salamanca

Why is Salamanca called “the golden city”? Why does it have two cathedrals? Why is there an astronaut on the facade of one of them? These are some of the secrets of Salamanca you can discover with its wide range of unusual tours. For example, you can climb the medieval towers of the Cathedral, visit buildings that are usually closed to the public, or discover a gallery of urban art.You can also take advantage of the guided tours organized every day from the tourist offices, including by bicycle. If you're travelling with kids, we also suggest a trip on the sightseeing train.

Segovia

Segovia has an extensive program of guided tours throughout the year. You can see what's available at the tourist office next to the Aqueduct. Also, and especially if you're travelling in a group, we recommend booking one of their dramatised tours.You'll find plenty of options, ranging from an evening tour recounting many of the legends associated with the city, scenes from the life of Santa Teresa de Ávila, or a walk around the city walls with troubadours singing stories about the city.

Zaragoza

By bike, on a bus, or accompanied by a tourist guide? Choose how you want to tour Zaragoza and see it from a new perspective. There are themed tours on Goya and Mudéjar art. And especially if you go as a family, other fun possibilities are to sign up for the Divertour, a peculiar visit to the city center, or the tasty gastronomic tour Chocopass. Zaragoza also offers special routes for learning and practising Spanish.

Seville

We suggest three very special visits to Seville and its traditions. On one hand, a trip around the historic centre in a traditional horse-drawn carriage. The ride takes you past the main sights, including the Cathedral, María Luisa Park and Plaza de España. Meanwhile, the driver explains some of the city's most interesting anecdotes. Another option is to take a cruise along the River Guadalquivir. These start at the dock next to the Torre del Oro and take about an hour. Finally, in summer you can enjoy a dramatised evening tour of the Real Alcázar, courtesy of the Classical Theatre Company of Seville. This is one of the city's most important monuments and a World Heritage site.

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Worth knowing

These are just a few of the cities in Spain with dramatised or special tours.Dramatised tours are easiest to find in Spain in July, August and September.