The XXI century traveler has very diverse interests, but almost all of them share the same ideal: exploring a city through local culture and, of course, getting to know its people. That’s how in 2016, Javier García, passionate about graffiti and urban art, decided to create a guided visit in Madrid that was different from the rest.
Eventhough he already knew the tourism sector, he never imagined his services would be such a success. Since then, almost 7000 people have already visited the neighborhoods of Lavapiés and Malasaña with a professional graffiti artist every year, or participated in a collaborative street art workshop. Yes, you heard that right!
Our experience aims to introduce you to the most intimate details about this emerging artistic movement and offer you the opportunity to put your skills into practice with spray cans. In other words, not just seeing and hearing, but actively participating using the same tools used by the artists themselves.
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Fully immersion in the local artistic culture through a guided visit in Madrid
Initially, the activity is planned for people who share common interests with ours—that is, urban art and graffiti. However, you don’t need any prior experience or to have participated in a similar guided visit in Spain- or anywhere else in the world– of this kind before to join our cultural an introductory tours in Madrid. They’re for all audiences!
We’ll tell you different anecdotes you’ve probably never heard before, and we do it with passion. After all, part of our creative team is exclusively dedicated to professional graffiti in Madrid. Among other stories, you’ll hear:
- When do artists usually paint? At night or in broad daylight?
- If you get caught painting, how much can the fine amount to?
- Success stories: Spanish artists who went from painting on train tracks to working for worldwide gallery owners .
Discovering multiculturalism and feminism in the Lavapiés neighborhood
The main strength of Cooltourspain, and the reason why we somewhat broke the canons of cultural tourism in Spain, is the alternative character of our guided visit in Madrid. By focusing entirely on contemporary art in its most street-level version, we’ve managed to work for companies like Cruz Roja, Toyota, and Budweiser.
This unusual tour in Madrid through the Lavapiés neighborhood is synonymous with entering a multicultural area, where the sense of community and the fight for social justice and equality are present on every street. Whether it’s your first time visiting Madrid or you’re a local, this experience is made for you!
If you want to join us to explore the Embajadores district, we’ll be waiting for you at the door of Teatro Valle Inclán (Calle de Valencia, 1), right in front of the Lavapiés metro station. As with all our services, prior reservation is required. To book, click the following button!
Why should you participate in a guided visit through Malasaña, Madrid?
Our second most popular service is the tour that goes through the Universidad area. We’ll start together right next to the famous Plaza Puerta de Sol(in Pasaje de la Caja de Ahorros) to near the Mostenses market or Plaza de los Cubos. Everything will depend on the pace you keep during the guided visit in Madrid. We’ll also pass by the works of the PINTA Malasaña festival and tell you insiders anecdotes.
For example, you should know that on the very night the festival is held, the most “bomber” graffiti artists take to the streets to claim their territory. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? As you’ll hear, it’s an ongoing war in which society usually differentiates between art and vandalism.
Additionally, you’ll hear stories from the “movida madrileña.” Did you know that it was during this countercultural movement when the figure of “Muelle” emerged? Juan Carlos Argüello is known as one of the pioneers of graffiti in Spain, and our modern art experts will tell you anecdotes about his life and work.
On foot or by bike, any option works to see the best urban art
If you prefer pedaling over walking, then this guided visit in Madrid is made for you. The service starts from the renovated Gran Vía metro station, exactly from Calle de la Montera, 32, and the route ends at the same point after two and a half hours. It’s about combining the Lavapiés tour and the Malasaña tour together in a single activity.
On one hand, we’ll have time to photograph the murals that recent editions of the Urvanity festival have created throughout the center. On the other, you’ll cover in one go some of the main spots in downtown Madrid: San Bernardo, Gran Vía, Huertas, Chueca… We’ll show you their neighborhood spirits on two wheels.
However, you’ll have the option of having an electric bicycle at your disposal if you’re one of those who prefers to relax and enjoy a comfortable ride with minimal effort. While it’s true that the city council’s traffic regulations don’t require helmet use, we offer you one completely free of charge. Safety first!
What will you learn on our guided visit in Madrid?
Since the activity mixes listening to stories with hands-on participation, the guided visit will help you learn about the characteristics of urban art and graffiti in Madrid through an active and entertaining way. We’ll show you the techniques used by graffiti artists when painting illegally and those they use when they have more time and it’s legal.
During the experience, you’ll hear details about the movement’s beginnings and why graffiti artists focused on metal shutters to paint their names and figures. Some of our closest collaborators, the most active ones, have been in Madrid’s graffiti movement for almost 30 years. Their stories are fascinating!
Finally, you’ll learn the technique used when painting, giving frequent touches to the nozzle without wasting paint. What type of spray paint diffuser do you want to use? Fat cap or skinny cap? We’ll bring to the activity a stencil made with recycled X-rays—a durable material we’ve been using for this cultural experience in Madrid.
Street art history : from graffiti to urban art
Can you explain the difference between these two artistic fields? While some indicate that it’s the legality/illegality in execution that differentiates them, others see opposite characteristics in the artist’s purpose. During the guided visit in Madrid, we’ll talk about the ‘ego’ that drives graffiti artists toward their street actions and missions, whether on trains or subway.
Many of these artists, mostly young people aged 18-30, risk their time and money to paint a tag, a throw-up, or a signature in public/private spaces. Sometimes, their consistency in work has led them to exhibit in art galleries specialized in post-graffiti. Other times, their works decorate facades in cities around the world.
Have you heard of artists like Okuda, El Rey de la Ruina, Sabek, or Spok Brillor? Well if you have not, get ready to hear fascinating stories about them and many others !
Guided visit in Madrid + spray painting with stencils
While it’s true that when we started the guided visit in Mdrid we focused exclusively on telling stories and details about street art, we realized something was missing. Specifically, the opportunity to paint graffiti with sprays on paper/canvas and stencils.
Therefore, those who sign up for our tours can experiment with their own hands. You’ll learn to use nozzles and stencils in a simplified way. You’ll take home a nice memory of the experience, and if you book the private service, you can take home as a gift your own graffiti on a 100% cotton tote bag for your daily use.
After 5 years of service, we realized that connecting with the audience wasn’t just about explanations—it was also about what we love most: painting! In this sense, a small part of the tour will be spent working with your hands and not just with your eyes, ears, and mouth. More than seeing and hearing, you’ll need to interact too.
What are the problems that exist in the neighborhoods we walk through?
Besides offering a guided visit focused on street art, we’ve developed a unique service that tries to raise participants’ awareness. Since social and sustainable tourism is rightfully on the rise, we want to contribute our small grain of sand. We’re interested in knowing what concerns our neighbors!
We’ll talk from a socio-cultural context about the issues affecting Madrid residents. Among other topics, we’ll address aspects such as citizens’ rights and responsibilities. Additionally, we’ll illustrate what’s being done to reverse these situations of abuse.
- Social justice and equality between men and women
- Tourist overcrowding and how it affects the Lavapiés and Malasaña neighborhoods—in other words, gentrification
- The increase in racist and xenophobic attitudes in society
Prices for a guided visit in Madrid for all types of audiences
Whether you come in a large group or want to participate in the guided visit solo, we have a spot for you! The prices are affordable and not comparable to Madrid free tours. Unlike them, the Cooltourspain team doesn’t charge based on tips(which they don’t declare as economic profit). Above all, we’re professionals who dedicate their time to developing an activity for others.
Before hiring us, you should know that public experiences are available daily at 11:15 AM, and private ones at any time.
What are some characteristics of urban art tours in Madrid?
- No prior experience is necessary to enter the world of local graffiti
- Guided visits are conducted in Spanish, English or French
- It’s monothematic, so we won’t talk about the city’s history or architecture
Students from schools and high schools
Active education used in educational centers in the region encourages student participation in experiential activities. That is, offering students the opportunity to inquire into their own learning. That’s why our guided visit in Madrid is full of questions that will require a high degree of thinking.
Our school outings are recommended for children and teenagers between 12 and 18 years old. On the other hand, excursions are also offered to university groups. The suggested participant ratio is 20 students maximum per guide.
If you’re a coordinator or head of the English department, you have a graffiti teaching unit available to use in class. It’s designed to practice basic street art culture concepts in the classroom before participating in the street activity.
Adults and groups of friends
The type of client who usually participates most in our guided visits is adults, with women being the most interested in the activity. They come alone, as couples, or with friends and family, typically between 25 and 45 years old.
Our audience is wonderfully diverse: international travelers mainly from the United States and Israel, alongside Madrid locals and visitors from across Spain eager to discover the street art scene.
This blend of perspectives, from first-time visitors to residents exploring their own neighborhoods, creates enriching conversations and unique experiences on every guided visit.
Cooltourspain’s opinion about the graffiti guided visit in Madrid
As you can see on our blog, we have countless anecdotes and curious details on the guided visit in Madrid. We’ll even offer you the possibility of taking a free tour on your own. Read our articles carefully, and you’ll find the story behind the murals on streets like Argumosa, Doctor Fourquet, Embajadores, Corredera Alta de San Pablo, or Antonio Grilo.
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