New religious tourism route in Madrid (Spain) endorsed by IBE Tours

04-07-25

IBE Tours, a leading company in organizing excursions and guided tours throughout Spain, has launched a new initiative focused on religious and cultural tourism: an exclusive guided route through the historic Barrio de los Austrias in Madrid. This experience, specially designed for private groups, offers the chance to discover some of the most emblematic temples in Madrid’s historic center, blending spirituality, sacred art, and the historical legacy of the capital.

The approximately two-hour tour begins at the Church of Santiago and San Juan Bautista, a neoclassical-style temple with deep symbolic meaning, traditionally known as the starting point for pilgrims embarking on the Camino de Santiago from Madrid. From there, the itinerary continues through spiritually and artistically significant landmarks such as the Church of San Nicolás de los Servitas—one of the oldest in the city, featuring a Mudejar tower dating back to the 12th century—the Convent of Corpus Christi, popularly known as "Las Carboneras," where the Hieronymite nuns prepare handmade sweets in a tradition-rich setting, the Pontifical Church of San Miguel, a jewel of Madrid’s Baroque architecture, and the Church of San Pedro el Viejo, another important vestige of medieval Madrid.

Beyond its artistic and architectural value, this tour aims to awaken interest in the city's spiritual history, unveiling local legends, canonization processes, prominent figures of faith, and the vital role these temples have played in the religious evolution of Madrid. It also invites reflection on the symbolic richness of each site and on how religion has shaped the city’s layout and daily life over the centuries.

IBE Tours' initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify its cultural offerings, with particular attention to the growing interest in religious tourism, both from domestic and international travelers. While Madrid is often seen as a contemporary metropolitan hub, it preserves a valuable religious heritage that, through initiatives like this, is presented in an accessible, educational, and experiential way. The option to conduct the route as a private group allows the content to be tailored to the interests of each audience—whether driven by spiritual, historical, academic, or touristic motivations.

One of the most notable strengths of this proposal is its ability to highlight Madrid not only as an administrative and cultural capital but also as a starting point for the Camino de Santiago. In a context where spirituality intertwines with the search for authentic experiences, this route becomes a gateway to a more introspective and lesser-known dimension of the city. At the same time, it contributes to revitalizing religious sites that, although often outside traditional tourist circuits, hold centuries of history and a living legacy.

With this new route, IBE Tours reaffirms its commitment to responsible tourism—one that respects heritage and the country’s religious tradition. With a proven track record in designing high-quality guided experiences, the company is enhancing Madrid’s tourism offering with a product that blends spirituality, history, and culture. The new Barrio de los Austrias route marks another step in positioning Madrid as a key destination for religious tourism in Spain and as an invitation to discover the soul of the city through its temples.

This proposal joins IBE Tours’ catalog with the aim of meeting the growing demand from groups seeking meaningful tourism—where learning and contemplation go hand in hand with heritage discovery. With every step, visitors not only walk streets steeped in history but also gain access to a deeper spiritual dimension of Madrid, a city that has witnessed centuries of faith and religious expression.

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