GPS My City - A Review of the App - Test Driven in Madrid
- Sarah
- 19 minutes ago
- 5 min read
There’s something quite special about discovering a city step by step, especially when you’ve got just enough guidance to point you in the right direction without feeling rushed. During our time in Madrid, we followed the GPS my City “Madrid City Introduction Walk” it turned out to be one of our favourite ways to get under the skin of the city.
We began at the grandeur of the Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real), an appropriately dramatic starting point. This vast palace is the largest in Western Europe and, although the Spanish royal family no longer live here, it’s still used for official ceremonies. The scale alone is enough to impress, but it’s the sense of history – centuries of monarchy, politics, and pageantry – that really lingers.
Just opposite sits Almudena Cathedral (Catedral de la Almudena), which feels almost understated in comparison. It’s relatively modern, only consecrated in 1993, but its blend of neoclassical exterior and colourful interior makes it quietly memorable. The contrast between the two buildings is part of the charm.
We couldn't find one of the tips given in the guide, " After exploring the crypt, cross the street to find the remains of ancient walls built by the Moors in the 9th Century", the street was a crossroads and after trying a couple of directions we ended up taking a slight detour into Plaza de Oriente, which wasn’t strictly on our route but absolutely worth it. The manicured gardens and statues are lovely. It would have been helpful to have some of the less obvious hints such as this linked to WhatThreeWords.
We did find the Italian Embassy, rather strangely decorated with frogs. It would have been so much funnier if it had been the French Embassy!
Along the walk our attention was caught by a dress uniform shop, where we stood completely fascinated watching a tailor carefully working with his chalk to create a military jacket. One of those unexpected travel moments you don’t plan, but remember.
From there, we continued to Plaza de la Villa (Plaza de la Villa), a quieter corner of Madrid that feels steeped in its medieval past. Once the centre of civic life, it’s surrounded by historic buildings that hint at the city’s evolution long before the grand boulevards arrived.
A short walk brings you to Mercado de San Miguel, and if you’re anything like us, you’ll end up lingering. Originally opened in 1916, this iron-framed market has been transformed into a vibrant food hall. Think tapas, fresh seafood, pastries, and wine – all under one very photogenic roof. We stopped for a glass of organic cava, and people watched. This is rather like a small Borough Market, with prices to match - the lovely looking fried fish was €16 for a portion, and the oysters €3 and upwards depending on the quality.
Next is the ever-impressive Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s grand central square. Once used for everything from royal celebrations to less cheerful events like public trials, it’s now lined with cafés and filled with artists and performers. It’s undeniably touristy, but still worth soaking up.
From here, the route follows Calle Mayor, one of the city’s oldest streets. It gently connects some of Madrid’s key sights and gives you a feel for the city’s historic layout, with traditional buildings and a steady flow of local life.
You’ll eventually arrive at Puerta del Sol, the symbolic centre of Spain. It’s busy, a little chaotic, and full of energy. This is where you’ll find the famous “Kilometre Zero” marker, from which all Spanish roads are measured.
The walk then opens up onto Gran Vía, a complete shift in pace and style. Built in the early 20th century, it’s Madrid’s grand commercial boulevard, lined with theatres, shops, and striking architecture.
One of the standout buildings here is the Edificio Metrópolis, instantly recognisable with its ornate façade and winged statue. It marks the transition between old and new Madrid and is one of the city’s most photographed landmarks.
Continuing on, you’ll reach the impressive Palacio de Cibeles, once the main post office and now Madrid’s City Hall. It’s a stunning example of early 20th-century architecture and sits proudly overlooking the square.
We couldn't resist having a look at the craft huts situated near here, home to hand made leather good, silk scarves, jewellery, and stunning bronzes. Luckily for my bank account we only had hand luggage, or a few rather lovely souvenirs could have found their way home.
Nearby is Puerta de Alcalá, a grand neoclassical gate that once served as one of the city’s main entrances. It’s elegant, historic, and feels like a quiet nod to Madrid’s past.
Finally, the walk ends in the green oasis of Parque del Retiro. Once a royal park, it’s now a much-loved public space filled with tree-lined paths, fountains, and the occasional street performer. It’s the perfect place to slow down and reflect on everything you’ve seen.
We really enjoyed this walk. It offered a lovely mix of major landmarks and quieter corners, and we appreciated being able to explore at our own pace. A couple of the directions weren’t entirely clear, and we do think the app would benefit from integrating What3Words to make navigation a little smoother.
There were an additional 6 walks we could have done catering for different aspects of the city: Cervantes' Madrid, Golden Mile Walk, Buen Retiro Park, Ernest Hemingway's Madrid, Food Tour, Souvenir Shopping, La Latina Walking Tour, Lavapies Walking Tour, Lavapies Shopping Walk, El Rastro Antiques Hunting, Malasana Walking Tour.
In terms of cost, the app itself is free to download, which is always a good starting point. You can browse the walks and get a feel for things without paying, but to unlock the full experience – including the detailed route maps and turn-by-turn navigation – there’s a paid upgrade. At the time of using it, subscriptions were roughly around £14.99 per year for access to either the walking guides or travel articles, or about £18.99–£20.99 annually for everything combined. There’s also a short free trial, so you can test whether it suits your travel style before committing.
That said, compared to traditional guided tours (which can easily cost that much for a single outing), it does feel like good value – especially if you’re planning to use it across multiple cities.
And that’s really the beauty of these self-guided walks. There’s no rush, no schedule, and no pressure to keep up. You can take your time, pause where it matters, and linger longer in the places that genuinely interest you (we’re still thinking about that market stop…).
We were gifted the app for this experience, but as always, all views and content are entirely our own. And we would absolutely recommend it – a relaxed, flexible way to explore Madrid, with just enough guidance to keep you on track… most of the time.
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