Arab Wall
3.5
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Centro
Expansive plazas, local and foreign crowds, street performers, colorful lights, window shopping, restaurant signs promising the best paella, ham, and churros con chocolate- this is downtown Madrid, a collection of plazas interconnected by a network of side streets. Some of these side streets are wide pedestrian shopping routes, and some are hidden, so it's possible to duck in and out of the bustle as desired. The iconic Puerta del Sol is the giant crossroads of the city and a must-see attraction at any time of the day. The nearby Plaza Mayor, completely enclosed by historic red buildings, is an ideal place to grab a bite to eat outside, amidst scores of tables and people out for a stroll. Plaza Isabel II (also known as “Opera”) is smaller and a good meeting spot, and the stately Plaza del Oriente is the front yard of the Royal Palace. Centro can be touristy (pickpockets are unfortuately not unheard-of here), crowded, and sometimes gimmicky, but it is also the place to experience classic Madrid.
How to get there
- Ópera • 10 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
100 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
26
Average
47
Poor
13
Terrible
1
MDOGP
Dallas, TX1,225 contributions
Sep 2020 • Solo
These are Arabic walls that were built during the Middle Ages during the Arabic dominion of Spain. The wall used to be 2 kilometers long. Now, they have built a square and a nice fountain around. The wall is just at the left side of the Almudena cathedral.
Written September 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaryiamS
London, UK17 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
First thing I noticed is that it doesn't look like something of significance. If I hadn't spotted it on google maps I would have never known that I was walking past it.
You'd never know that it was the nucleus of the city and in fact the oldest remains in the city. All in all I thought it summed up the attitude of the Spanish towards Muslims and Arabs. Tolerated because it is there with minimal effort to accommodate them.
The signs explaining the history were almost completely faded. In any case they were all in Spanish anyway with no other languages, not even English or Italian. Oh and there were also at least two stickers for the "ultrasdella" on the signs.
You'd never know that it was the nucleus of the city and in fact the oldest remains in the city. All in all I thought it summed up the attitude of the Spanish towards Muslims and Arabs. Tolerated because it is there with minimal effort to accommodate them.
The signs explaining the history were almost completely faded. In any case they were all in Spanish anyway with no other languages, not even English or Italian. Oh and there were also at least two stickers for the "ultrasdella" on the signs.
Written June 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wraxall_Travellers
Bristol, UK1,067 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
Not a lot here, but if you like ruins, then visit it. It is not a very large park.and does not take long to see it all.
Written March 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tommo
Melbourne, Australia56,010 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
The Muslim Walls of Madrid which was also known as the Arab Walls of Madrid.
These were built in the 9th century, during the Muslim dominationand part of a fortress.
Whilst historically significant nothing spectactular to look at.
These were built in the 9th century, during the Muslim dominationand part of a fortress.
Whilst historically significant nothing spectactular to look at.
Written January 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK186,621 contributions
Jul 2019
This area s one of the oldest parts of the city and the walls were built during the time of the Moorish occupation. Not much to see really as it's just ruins and all the information is in Spanish. Another reviewer says that the information were almost completely faded, which is totally UNTRUE. It's perfectly legible and I could see the writings clearly, albeit incomprehensible only because it was in Spanish.
The walls are opposite the Almudena Cathedral and even then, it's too much trouble.
The walls are opposite the Almudena Cathedral and even then, it's too much trouble.
Written August 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benched45
Kelowna, Canada40 contributions
Oct 2011 • Couples
We walked by this without even knowing it was there. Later we went by it with a tour guide and he explained it to us. Our spanish is not that good so we never stopped to read the plaque.
It is just a small portion or the original wall sticking out of the ground. There is a railing around it but was full of garbage and waste. Not much priority to make the Arab Wall a destination...
Glad I was able to see that it was there though.
It is just a small portion or the original wall sticking out of the ground. There is a railing around it but was full of garbage and waste. Not much priority to make the Arab Wall a destination...
Glad I was able to see that it was there though.
Written October 7, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
copticvoice
Sacramento, CA235 contributions
Sep 2017 • Solo
It is very small part of an old wall, right across from the crypt entry of almudena cathedral, I just founded by accident as I was walking around. I wouldn't do a special visit but I would stop by when I visit the crypt.
Written September 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL22,266 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
If you are looking for medieval history in Madrid, this is the only place you will find it. Before researching our trip, I did not realize how young, relative to Spain and Europe, Madrid was. Its only real medieval history was as a Moorish outpost to protect Toledo from the north. While captured before the 1085 conquest of Toledo, there was really little in Madrid prior to Phillip II's move of his palace to the area. For all of these reasons and the fact that it is so close to the palace and Cathedral make the site something to see if you have some time in the area. The pictures show you what you will see but it is great to know that is the oldest thing in Madrid.
Written July 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TAIN2013
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia2,859 contributions
Jun 2016 • Solo
Located next to the Cathedral de Santa Maria de la Almudena, the Arab Wall is a remnant of Madrid's Moorish past when it was an actual defensive wall around the city.
Sadly only parts of the wall remain and are not well maintained. The area is overgrown with grass and shrubs. Thankfully, they are protected by a fence to prevent further damage and a beautiful garden built next to them.
A plaque and a map of old Madrid are the only things reminding us of this important piece of Madrid's history.
Worth a short visit along with the Royal Palace and the Cathedral.
Sadly only parts of the wall remain and are not well maintained. The area is overgrown with grass and shrubs. Thankfully, they are protected by a fence to prevent further damage and a beautiful garden built next to them.
A plaque and a map of old Madrid are the only things reminding us of this important piece of Madrid's history.
Worth a short visit along with the Royal Palace and the Cathedral.
Written April 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reinaldo B
Miami, FL81 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
It's amazing and a bit ironic that the Arab wall is madrid's oldest remains from around 900AD. This is a huge wall that's impressively built. The park has several explanations about the history behind the wall. Please don't skip this historic site. It's a must go, and it's usually empty in the mornings.
Written March 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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