madrid walking tours english

Best things to do and see in Madrid

Madrid is a city that doesn’t need any introductions. It is the capital of Spain, and a tourist hotspot every year along with Barcelona. Its abundant culture, architecture, cuisine, and art make it obvious why so many decide to visit this Iberian city, along with all the different niches and interesting sites it has to offer if you know where to look, that is! If you are planning on visiting this European metropolis, it’s important that you have a few reference points so you get the most out of your trip.

If you are looking for the best free walking tour in Madrid , the best idea is for you to do it with a local guide who knows all those mandatory tourist stops and of course the more hidden charms of this great city. If you tour this capital city you can’t miss places like: walking through Madrid’s Retiro, park area, or walking by the Gate of Alcala, (la Puerta de Alcalá) Cibeles Square, continuing until the Sun Gate, (la Puerta del Sol). A visit to the Main Square, (Plaza Mayor) where you can take a walk to the gardens beside the Royal Palace is also a must. There are also more specific tours you can choose that will take you some of Madrid’s different neighborhoods like: Salamance, Chueca, La Latina or Argüelles. If you enjoy art and museums, Madrid is a top destination with world-renowned museums like the Prado, Queen Sophia, the Archeological Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza or the Sorolla Museum. If you are choosing a walking tour, you can’t forget about places like Columbus’ Square, the Argüelles viewpoint, Santa Ana’s Square, the Gran Vía Avenue or the Plaza de España itself.

Find out more info about the free walking tours available in Madrid , by going to the webpage and reading other walkers’ opinions and reviews about their experiences on the same route with the same guide.  Whether you book a guruwalk in the morning, afternoon, or evening, you will have a great time getting to know some of the charms with professional guides who will get you the most out of your holidays in this Spanish capital. 

Free walking tour near Madrid

Others cities to visit after madrid, find other guruwalks in madrid, where are you traveling to.

Madrid Traveling

Best 5 Free walking tours in Madrid

I love the free walking tours in Madrid. They are a wonderful, sustainable, and healthy way to discover the history, culture, and top-rated attractions of the capital of Spain.

Besides, are a great option if you want to visit Madrid on a budget !

Table of contents

How to book the best walking tours in Madrid for free

My 5 reasons to join the free walking tours in madrid, how walkable is madrid, 1. madrid free walking tour, 2. discover the heart of the old town of madrid and its wonders, 3. get your bearings in madrid: discover the old town, 4. free tour “millenary madrid” – madrid de los austrias (old town), 5. madrid highlights free walking tour, how much to tip a free walking tour guide, what is a free walking tour in madrid.

I would describe a free walking tour of Madrid as a type of tour usually lasting 2-3 hours with an expert local guide in a unique and fun experience while discovering the most popular tourist attractions in Madrid.

I want to highlight that you do not have to pay anything at all to book the tour. A tip is usually (fairly) expected though if you enjoyed the experience.

#1 TOP PICK

madrid walking tours english

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Madrid Old Town

✔️ Duration: 2h and 15min

✔️ Language: English

After all, although tour guides are passionate about Madrid, they also have invoices to pay. It is logical to think that their work deserves some reward too.

There is a wide offer of experiences to choose from and it can be sometimes difficult to identify the best ones. This is why I have included in this post the best free walking tours of Madrid from my point of view.

It is not allowed to join the best walking tours in Madrid without booking.

Booking in advance a Madrid free tour is necessary to secure your place . Besides, you will be able to receive important information from your guide in case there are changes to the tour. Remember that children must also be counted at the time of booking.

madrid walking tours english

The booking process is really easy. Just click on the link of the tours you will find on this post , choose the date, and fill out a brief form.

You will receive a confirmation email of your booking. In case you don´t, check your spam folder and verify you have input the right email address.

There is usually a minimum and a maximum number of participants. If you go to the meeting point without booking, the group could be full and do not accept additional participants.

The 5 Best Madrid Segway Tours

In case you have booked one of the best Madrid free tours and something unexpected comes up, the cancellation is also free .

If so, remember to cancel the booking as soon as possible. This way, you will give the opportunity to others to join the tour.

The meeting point is usually an easily accessible place in Madrid´s city center. It is important to arrive about 10 minutes before the start time scheduled. This way, the guide will be able to begin the tour on time.

1. You will get an integral experience .

In my opinion, walking is by far the best way to explore Madrid.

Most tourist attractions are located in the historical city center within walking distance and the weather in Madrid is excellent to enjoy a stroll.

Public transport in Madrid is awesome and can be a faster way to get around in case your planning is quite tight.

I prefer slow traveling though, as you can always come across some hidden gems of the city and experience Madrid like a local.

Plaza de Oriente is a monumental space surrounded by some of the most famous buildings in Madrid

I have always believed that it is not just a way of getting to your final destination, but it is actually enjoying every single place you go through .

The free walking tours in Madrid are perfect to get a deeper involvement and discover the local culture and day-to-day Spanish life.

2. They are healthy and sustainable .

Walking is friendly to the environment.

According to the European Environment Agency, transport is responsible for a considerable part of the total greenhouse gas emissions.

Therefore, the free walking tours in Madrid result in fewer emissions released into the atmosphere, help to protect biodiversity and decrease noise pollution.

El Retiro is one of the largest parks and one of the most popular attractions in Madrid for locals and tourists alike

Besides, walking is beneficial for your health, reducing the risk of cardiac diseases and heart attack.

Research shows that regular walking actually modifies your nervous system, reduces the levels of stress and anxiety, and can significantly improve your mood.

Madrid´s nice weather is very convenient to enjoy a stroll. Rain is not usual, but in July and August a bottle of water will be much appreciated, especially at mid-day.

3. They are free .

The free walking tours in Madrid will allow you to save money on your trip to Spain. Being complimentary, you will have more budget available for other pleasures like tasting Spanish gastronomy.

Usually, the tour guides are young native freelancers with a deep knowledge of the city.

The Royal Theater, landmark is a major opera house located in Madrid, Spain

They will be always happy to offer you insider tips on places to visit, things to avoid, and the best restaurants. Therefore, a tip will be more than welcome in case you have enjoyed the experience.

4. Forget about planning .

One of the main benefits of the free-of-charge walking tours in Madrid is that you do not have to worry about planning.

All you have to do is turn up at the meeting point on time, ready to have a nice time.

Cibeles square landmark has become one of the symbols of the city and should be a must in the planning of your trip to Spain

The tour guides will take care of the rest. The whole route is thoroughly planned in advance and you will not miss any of the best landmarks in Madrid .

Moreover, the tour guides will show you Madrid´s secrets that only the locals know.

5. Engage with new people

The free Madrid walking tours are a great opportunity to meet people who probably share your interests . That is why they are especially interesting if you are traveling solo to Spain .

Perhaps it is just me, but when I travel, I am more outgoing to talking with strangers than in my daily life.

It could be just because of this feeling of sharing the passion for discovering new places, but I have done plenty of good friends when traveling around.

Mercado de San Miguel is the most popular market in Madrid

As a local, I would say that Madrid is easy to navigate on foot , especially at the city center which houses most of the must-see attractions.

The weather in Madrid is most of the time pretty appealing for walking, sunny days are usual. Madrid in Winter is beautiful too, and temperatures are not extreme.

Therefore, my list of the best costless walking tours in Madrid is an outstanding way to explore the capital of Spain, strolling along the streets and discovering the hidden gems of the city.

Flamenco show in Plaza Mayor while locals and tourists enjoy some Spanish beers and tapas

For me, walking in Madrid is a pleasure.

Pedestrian and green zones are common, especially in the city center, and they are clean and safe . Of all the ways to explore Madrid, nothing beats a walking tour.

In order to make Madrid a more walkable city, there is a continuous investment to increase the pedestrianized areas and improve the infrastructure for pedestrians.

The main objective is to improve the pedestrian experience and convert walking into the most enjoyable and attractive means of transport.

It is true, however, that there is still plenty of work to do, some areas of the city are much more walkable than others.

What are the best free walking tours in Madrid?

The 5 Best (and cheapest) Bike Tours in Madrid

Do you want to truly get to know Madrid?

Walking tours are a great way to get a comprehensive insight into the capital of Spain and make the most out of your visit to Madrid.

There are dozens of tour companies, mainly paid, so visitors find it difficult to choose one.

In this post, I want to share with you which are, in my opinion, the best free walking tours in Madrid to help you plan your trip to Spain.

Image of Plaza de España and the remarkable monument to Don Quijote de la Mancha

But it is not just me who believes these are the best free walking tours in Madrid. I have included just a couple out of hundreds of authentic excellent testimonials .

Please note that some free walking tours in Madrid are available in different languages, make sure to pick the right one before booking.

Here is my review of the 5 best free walking tours in Madrid:

My first option offers this free walking tour in Madrid which will allow you to discover the most emblematic areas and attractions of the capital of Spain.

You will learn all about Madrid´s history accompanied by a local bilingual guide.

This free walking tour in Madrid has a duration of 2 hours and you will stroll through El Madrid de los Austrias, the most historic neighborhood of the city.

The local guide will take you to the most iconic streets, squares, and landmarks, including the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, and much more.

While you wander through Madrid’s historic center, the guide will tell you interesting anecdotes and traditions which will bring you much closer to our Spanish culture.

Pablo was a really fantastic guide. He provided a great deal of history and information and did it with a good sense of humor. I would highly recommend this tour. Crystal | United States

This tour will allow you to discover one of the most historic neighborhoods in the city, Madrid de los Austrias.

This is one of the best free walking tours in Madrid and lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Click here to book this free tour now .

The Real Casa de Correos is one of the most famous buildings in Madrid as hundreds of people meet in front of its clock tower on new years’ eve

The tour starts at the iconic Puerta del Sol, which houses some of the most iconic landmarks in Madrid such as the Royal Post Office, with the famous clock marking the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes and the beginning of a new year.

You will also find El Oso y el Madroño, a sculpture of a bear and strawberry tree which represent the coat of arms of the capital of Spain, the Kilometer 0, a mounted statue of King Charles III, the Mariblanca, and the Tio Pepe neon sign.

Melissa was an amazing guide, she provided a lot of information and made the tour super fun with her humor! Certainly recommended! Anastasia | Poland

After a short walk, you will get to the famous Plaza Mayor, an outstanding arcaded square with a rectangular shape and a total of 237 balconies.

The next stop will be a gastronomic icon temple. El Mercado de San Miguel, with a remarkable early-20th century iron structure, has more than 20 stands with the best quality products in the entire Iberian Peninsula.

Finally, you will discover the emblematic Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral, and the Royal Theater, very close to the starting point of the tour.

Here you will find the link to my third choice of the best walking tours in Madrid. Secure your place by booking now this free tour .

The tour has a duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes, and the guide will show you Madrid´s historical center.

Do not worry if you are not an expert in history, the guides will only go as in depth in history as participants want to, and they will do their best to make it fun and easy to understand.

The Puerta de Alcalá, one of the best landmarks in Madrid, is a neoclassical triumphal arch made of granite

Some of the tourist attractions you will discover on this free walking tour in Madrid are Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, the 9th-century Moorish wall, and the Plaza de Oriente.

Sebastian was an excellent tour guide! We learned so much and got to see so many interesting parts of Madrid. Highly recommend. Barbara | San Marino

Would you like to know the fascinating history of Madrid and visit its historic center, a legacy of the House of Los Austrias? Book now this tour for free.

This 2.5-hour tour is the next on my list of the top 5 free walking tours in Madrid.

The tour offers a route through Madrid de Los Austrias. You will walk through the historic center of Madrid, discovering and learning about its origins, history, and legends, which have given life to this majestic city.

Campo del Moro gardens offer a great view of the Madrid´s Royal Palace

On this tour, you will be able to enter some of the historical sites and an experienced local guide will help you to better understand customs, traditions, and local advice that will make you enjoy a better experience in Madrid.

Some of the tourist spots visited will be Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, and Plaza de Oriente.

Join this tour without charge to discover this exciting city that is waiting to tell you the secrets of more than a thousand years of history.

Luis, the guide, has been very attentive and entertaining, iproviding us with very detailed explanations. 5 stars! David | Nord de Palma

This 2-hour historical walk offers a unique experience to discover the must-see attractions of the capital of Spain.

You will cover the most historic neighborhood of the city inside and outside what was the Medieval wall.

Puente de Segovia offers astonishing views of the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral

The local guide will carefully share valuable information about the attractions, Madrid´s history, and gastronomical advice that you cannot miss.

Some of the landmarks you will visit are the Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, and San Miguel Market.

Great tour as a first glance at the city. We visited the most important places and heard curious facts about them. The guide was very helpful and fun . Annalisa | Lisbon

As I said before, booking the best free walking tours in Madrid is free of charge.

However, in case you have enjoyed the experience you can reward the guide for his work with the amount you consider fair and appropriate .

After all, although tour guides are passionate about their job, it is logical to think that their effort deserves some reward too.

Best Free walking tours in Madrid

Besides, if we all do not collaborate with these guides, free tours will end up disappearing.

The amount to tip depends on everyone and it usually depends on the final satisfaction, duration of the tour, and the number of people in your party.

I would dare to say that the usual average is around 10 euros per adult for a 2-hour tour.

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Free Madrid Walking Tours

Which free tour is best.

This post covers free walking tours in Madrid, including outings that cover the historic district, the best-kept secrets of the city, and even a look at the city after dark.

  • Overview + Schedule
  • Historic District + Essentials
  • Majestic Madrid
  • Tapas Tours
  • Night Tours + Pub Crawls
  • Flamenco Tours

Museum Tours

OVERVIEW + SCHEDULE

Madrid has been one of the epicenters of Western art in Europe for centuries and is now home to world-class museums, culture, architecture, monuments, and other attractions.

While exploring the Spanish capital, you will navigate through the city’s fascinating history from its foundation as a Moorish town to its modern and vibrant current state.

Free Walking Tour of Madrid

Below is a calendar of some of the great free walking tours led by locals that are available in Madrid. Click on the entry below to expand the listing for more details.

The tours listed below are run through us. More tours are available in the following sections.

Searching Availability...

Here is a calendar with more of the best free walking tours in Madrid.

Take a walking tour and become a Madrileño for a day, because in the words of the great writer Calderón de la Barca: “Madrid is everyone’s homeland…”

This model of tours is pay-what-you-wish, meaning you can pay your local guides what you think the tour was worth, or what you could afford after your walk is over.

Free Walking Tours

According to online reviews, most tourists pay between €5 to €20 per person for free walking tours Madrid-style.

We offer tours globally . Here are just a few cities.

  • Palma de Mallorca

HISTORIC DISTRICT TOURS + ESSENTIALS 

Several free walking tours take you through the most historic neighborhoods in Madrid, providing a closer look at notable landmarks and explaining what life was like during medieval times.

While you can expect to learn some history on these outings, you’ll also receive tips about the best places to visit, great restaurants in the area, and more.

Royal Palace of Madrid

Royal Palace of Madrid

In addition to discovering how the capital of Spain developed into the city we see today, you can also expect to visit some of the following locations:

  • Puerta del Sol
  • Plaza Mayor
  • The Royal Palace
  • Almudena Cathedral
  • Mercado de San Miguel

If you want to learn more about these sites, consider one of the pay-what-you-wish tours listed below.

Learn about the royal families of the past and how this city rose to prominence as you visit some of the most notable sites on this 2-hour free tour of Madrid.

This pay-what-you-wish tour is available in both English and Spanish twice a day at 10:00 am, 10:30 am, 11:00 am, 11:30 am and 17:00 (5 pm) on every day.

The tour will start at the Puerta del Sol also known as the Sun Gate.

Get more information or book this tour .

You may also want to consider a self-guided exploration game instead. This service puts you in the role of someone escaping the Spanish Inquisition.

Although the self-guided game is not free, at only €10, it's around what most people would consider tipping their guide for a pay-what-you-wish walking tour.

This tour game lasts 2 hours and runs daily from C. de San Bernardo, 1, 28013 Madrid, Spain

MAJESTIC MADRID

If you’re looking to take a more unique tour of the city, there are at least a couple of options you may want to consider.

While some cover the basic history of Madrid from a different perspective, others are more focused on the culture of the city, including details about famous writers and artists from the area.

Puerta de Alcalá

  • Puerta de Alcalá

At least one of these outings includes free food samples!

You can expect to see some of the following highlights on these tours:

  • Circle of Fine Arts
  • Plaza de la Armería
  • Fuente de Cibeles (Cibele Fountain)
  • The Royal Theatre (Opera House)
  • Monastery of the Royal Barefoot
  • Prado Museum

For more information about locations like these, consider taking one of the pay-what-you-wish walking tours listed below.

Xtreme Tours

Discover the other side of Madrid on a tour covering several notable sites you won't see on the typical tour of the city centre.

In addition to the unique take on history, you’ll also get some free drinks just for taking this 2 ½ hour tour.

The tour is available every day at 11:30 am and 17:30 (5:30 pm).

The tour starts at Puerta del Sol in front of the equestrian statue of Carlos III. Your tour guide will be waiting with a distinctive white umbrella with the Xtreme Tours Madrid logo.

Book the tour or learn more .

If you’re interested in learning about the most famous artists who ever lived in Madrid, Sandemans Majestic Madrid tour is an excellent choice.

Learn about the history of Miguel de Cervantes (Don Quixote), Ernest Hemingway (A Farewell to Arms), and many other literary geniuses who once walked the streets of this city.

Although this tour is free, it will only cost €3 for adults and €15 for groups (per guest) to get priority tickets. Many travelers tip between €10-€15 after a pay-what-you-wish tour, so this is a quite fairly priced outing.

This Madrid tour is available in both English and Spanish on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 15:00 (3:00 pm).

The Tour starts in front of the Tourist Information Centre in Plaza Mayor

TAPAS TOURS

There’s a lot of great food in Madrid, but tapas are one of the most popular dishes in all of Spain, so you can expect to find a wide variety of them at restaurants in this city.

These tasty treats are so prevalent that there are some free walking tours you can take which will help you find the best tapas in all of Madrid.

Tapas in the window of a Madrid restaurant

Most of the locations you will visit are known as tapas bars, which specialize in making several different styles of meals.

Each of these tapas tours will allow you to decide how much food you try, as you’ll be paying for your food along the way.

Leaf Madrid

This tour company offers a free tour that will take you to popular bars and restaurants which specialize in making a variety of different tapas.

Rather than paying one flat price upfront, you’ll pay for all the food you want to try along the way, giving you control over the cost of the tour.

Available in both English and Spanish, this 2 ½ hours free tapas tour is limited to groups of 10 or fewer and it’s offered on Thursday at 18:00 (6 pm).

Meeting point of the tour is Puerta del Sol at Carlos III on Horse Statue . Tour guide will be holding a Sky Blue Umbrella in his hands.

Book your tour or learn more .

Unseen Footprints

If you’d rather explore the city and try some of the best food in Madrid on your own, this self-guided tapas tour is an excellent choice.

This outing includes multiple different stops at tapas bars in the city, allowing you to try several different types of this popular dish.

The best part about this option is that you don’t have to pay anything for a tour guide and you can decide how much you want to spend on the actual food as you make your way to each location.

The tour starts around 9 pm and the first stop of the tour is El Oso y el Madroño .

Take this self-guided tapas tour or learn more .

Enmanuel Tours

Note: Tour is currently unavailable.

This expert local guide offers a tour called "Delicious Madrid," which covers some of the best foods to eat in the city.

Rather than focusing just on Tapas, this is both a gastronomy and historical tour, providing details about Spanish traditions, customs, and history.

Along the way, you'll have opportunities to taste some of the best dishes in Madrid at local, family-run businesses.

This tour is offered every Saturday and Sunday at 11 am and 16:30 (4:30 pm).

Find out more about the Delicious Madrid tour .

NIGHT TOURS + PUB CRAWLS

These are pretty much the same as a tour of the historic district, but they are offered after the sun goes down.

That said, some night tours offer additional tips and tricks to help guests find their way around the city.

Almudena Cathedral, Madrid

If you’re interested in seeing what Madrid looks like either as the sun is setting or after it goes down, these are excellent sightseeing opportunities.

It’s also worth noting that the free tapas tour from Leaf Madrid starts at 6 pm, so you could easily consider this a night tour as well.

We’ll also provide a few options for pub crawls in Madrid to help you find the best sangria, beer, wine, and vermouth in the city!

Here are a few of the sites you can expect to see after dark:

  • Plaza de la Villa

Discover what Madrid looks like at night on one of the following free walking tours.

Tours Tilla

This is the same historic district tour that we have listed above, but it should be noted that they offer their service after dark, and it’s one of the best free night tour options in Madrid.

Guests can take the tour every night in either English or Spanish at 17:00 (5 pm), and it’s approximately 2 hours in length, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore the city after dark.

Learn more about this option or book the tour now .

Madrid’s Origin

This outing provides information stretching back over 1200 years of history, and it includes stops at some of the most famous locations in the city.

Although this 2-hour tour is offered in both English and Spanish three times a day – once at 17:30 pm, 21:00 pm and again at 22:30 pm Daily!

Meeting point of the tour is Puerta del Sol and guide will be carrying a light blue umbrella.

Find out more or book this tour .

El Tigre, Madrid

GPS My City

If you’re looking for a free pub crawl, there is one self-guided option provided by GPS My City that you might want to consider.

This guide will use GPS to help you find your way from one bar to the next and it has a total of 18 stops.

You can download it to your smartphone using their app on either iTunes or Android.

Since you don’t have to pay for a tour guide, you can save all your money on trying out a variety of different drinks at the bars you’ll visit along the way.

Take this self-guided pub crawl or learn more .

Other Madrid Pub Crawls

Most pub crawls in this city are not free, but they do often include at least one free drink at each of the bars visited in addition to some drink specials to save you even more money.

Prices range from just €11 to €39, and these outings can last up to 6 hours depending on which one you choose.

If you want to learn more or see what’s available, please check this list of Madrid pub crawls .

FLAMENCO TOURS 

Madrid is home to some wonderful artistic and cultural traditions, and it’s the origin of a popular form of music and dance known as Flamenco.

Flamenco dancers and singer on a dark stage

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about this dance form, there is at least one free walking tour you may want to consider.

You can expect to visit some of the dance schools and Spanish bars where famous Flamenco dancers and musicians have performed throughout the years.

You’ll also visit some artisan shops which sell items such as Flamenco shoes and handmade guitars for artists who perform either the dance or the music that goes along with it.

Your tour guide will also provide information about Flamenco to help you understand its artistry of it and get the most out of any show you might choose to see after this outing.

This 1 ½ hour free walking tour is only available every Saturday at 11:45 am, so it’ll be important to sign up for the service well in advance to ensure you’re included in the group.

Book this tour or learn more .

See a Flamenco Show

If you want to see this music and dancing for yourself either before or after the tour, several venues offer tickets you can purchase well in advance.

Here are a few of the best Flamenco shows currently available in Madrid:

  • Corral de la Morería
  • La Taberna de Mister Pinkleton
  • Centro Cultural Flamenco
  • Torres Bermejas
  • Cafe de Chinitas

In addition to all of the other types of free walking tours, you can take in Madrid, there are also several companies offering pay-what-you-wish tours of notable museums.

While these services do not include admission to the museums in question, they are an excellent way to make sure that you're seeing all the best exhibits and sites at each museum.

The only issue with these museum tours is that they aren't always consistently offered on a regular basis, so availability really depends upon when you plan to visit and how far in advance you reserve your spot.

Here are a few of the best options currently available:

  • Best of the Prado Museum
  • Prado Museum Essentials Tour
  • Best of the Reina Sofia Museum
  • El Prado: A World Art Treasure
  • Free Tour of the Royal Palace of Madrid

And much, much more

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Madrid Visits

  •   Tours
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Walking tours in Madrid

Guided tours - skip the line.

madrid walking tours english

Prado Museum Guided Tour - Avoid Queues

Explore the Prado Museum, Spain’s great treasure-trove of art. Enjoy a selection of the greatest masterpieces that are kept in this great Madrid gallery, one of the most important in the entire world.

Free cancellation : up to 24 hours in advance.

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Days of the visit: Morning Tour: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Afternoon Tour from November to March:  Tuesday, Thusrday and Saturday

Duration: 2 hours

Time: Morning and Afternoon

madrid walking tours english

Royal Palace Guided Tour - Avoid Queues

Discover the immense heritage of this historic and residence inhabited by the Spanish royal family until 1931, and avoid long queues at the entrance.

Days of the visit: Daily

Duration: 1,5 hours

Museo REina Sofia - Guernica

Prado and Reina Sofia Museums - Guided Tours

Visit the Reina Sofia and Prado museums with our expert guide and without queues. Discover the pictures, art and history from the XV century up to the present day.

Days of the visits: Monday, Wesdnesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

Duration: 4 hours

Time: Morning

palacio madrid

Night Walking Tour to Madrid´s Old Centre

Meet on this guided tour at night the charm and magic of the squares, buildings, streets and historic shops of Habsburg Madrid.

Days of the tour: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Duration: 2,5 hours

Time: Evening

You might also be interested in

madrid walking tours english

Visits to the most emblematic places of Madrid

Discover the capital’s most emblematic sites with our walking tours through Madrid . Walking along the streets of the Spanish capital is the best option for delighting yourself with its most characteristic monuments, museums and plazas. That is what will happen when you go on one of our guided walking tours in Madrid .

We offer some itineraries that will show you the range of all the attractions in the city’s historical area. Our guides show you modern-day Madrid and what the city was like in the past. Therefore we make various themed tours  available, which will contribute to a global perspective regarding the capital. And each one of the tours will show you historical episodes or relevant people who have shaped the current character of Madrid.

¿What walking tour can be done in Madrid?

We invite you to visit the Madrid of the Habsburgs and see its impressive artistic legacy with jewels of Spanish heritage like the Royal Palace. And to continue with the historical evolution of the city and, in general, the entire country, we also offer you the possibility of taking a tour through the Madrid of the Bourbons , which will take you to amazing places like the Puerta de Alcala (Alcala Gate).

But the must-see places in Madrid are numerous. And you can see and get to know all of them on our walking tours. A variety of guided tours will take you to the Plaza Mayor , the Cathedral of the Almudena , the famous fountains of Cibeles and Neptune , or to the most popular and vital place in the city: Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun).

However, not everything in Madrid can be appreciated from its streets. We provide other, quite different tours. For example, you can go on a guided tour through the galleries in the Prado Museum . We have selected the masterpieces of one of the most important art collections in the world and present them to you on this guided tour.

The Prado is the great art temple of Madrid, and our tours can take you to other unique thematic havens, such as the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and the Ventas bullring , two guided tours that captivate all fans of football and bullfighting.

To finish up, we offer a really fun tour where customs, cuisine and a good chat come together. Our guides will take you to sample one of the most typical traditions in Madrid. Go out for tapas at the most popular streets, pubs and taverns. It’s a tour that will give you the best tastes possible during your stay in the capital.

In short, there is a Madrid for every visitor, and with our proposed guided tours through Madrid, you will undoubtedly find the charms that you’re searching for in the Spanish capital.

Tour Reviews

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Spectacular. The building and the exhibitions are impressive, but if you go out you cannot go back in.

Fantastic. I love the Goya’s paintings, and the truth is that the Guide managed to convey the full meaning of the works we saw. The visit is very good.

It was about two hours and was worthwhile. I booked just this because I wanted to study more about each one of the works and the guide was quite helpful.

Charming guide with jokes the whole time, so that it wasn’t a very serious or boring visit. Good detail on his part.

Interesting. I’m not especially art lover, but if you are in Madrid you have to see the Prado Museum. I must say that I was surprised by the visit, the explanations were very interesting and we were given a lot of information to understand pictures.

The Royal Palace is incredible, you can feel the history in every corner. The guide told us several details and anecdotes about the royal family and their history and some of the rooms were very interesting.

The time we spent in the palace ran short. Its worth the visit, especially because you get to see it without having to queue at the entrance.

They only let you see some of the rooms. The palaces size and history is amazing, but they only let you see some of the rooms.

The best palace in Western Europe. Its huge and has a lot of history and art. Its a shame they dont let you take pictures.

Amazing. The Royal Palace is incredible, much bigger than Versailles or Buckingham Palace. I didnt expect it to be so spectacular, especially its church.

Amazing. Its worth the guided tour because they show you the most important pieces in the museum and explain each paintings history.

The Prado Museum is better than the Reina Sofía museum. I went with my husband and we loved the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía not so much.

Well organized. The guide gave detailed explanations of all the pieces we saw and of their painters. It was very interesting for art history lovers like me. A great tour.

Good guide and organization. Our guide was very professional and pleasant, knew the paintings and painters history very well. Amazing.

Good tour and fantastic organization. We didnt have to queue and got to see each museums highlights in the morning. In the afternoon we were able to return to the Prado Museum and visit it more calmly.

Good organization and great guide. The tour was very interesting and varied.

A great tour of the history of Madrid. We walked by very interesting places, buildings, streets, squares and shops.

A night to remember. Seeing the city highlights at night is beautiful. The lights create a special atmosphere.

Good value for money. We were able to appreciate the history of every important place in the center of Madrid thanks to the guide.

Good tour with a lot of history and great places. We werent many in this walking tour so it was like doing a private tour.

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The Best Walking Tours in Madrid 

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Madrid is a very walkable city and one of the best ways to explore when you first arrive is by going on a walking tour. Whether you’re interested in immersing yourself in the city’s rich history or its street art scene, here are some of the very best walking tours in Madrid.

Graffiti tour.

Cool Tour Spain offers a tour that bypasses the historical sights and instead introduces travellers to Madrid’s street art scene. The tour weaves through Lavapiés, Madrid’s multicultural barrio that is full of interesting graffiti, some by big names in the street art world. The tour also includes a visit to La Neomudejar, a modern arts centre and La Tabacalera, a former tobacco factory turned modern art space. The two-and-a-half-hour tour costs €15 and can be booked online.

Street art in Lavapiés

Hemingway Tour

Hemingway (centre) in Spain during the Spanish Civil War

Sandeman’s Free Tour

Look out for the red T-shirt wearing guides in the tourist information office on Plaza Mayor, the starting point of this enjoyable and informative tour that takes place at 10am, 11am, 2pm and 2.30pm. The tour, which takes around two-and-a-half hours, takes in many of the centre’s historic sights including the Royal Palace, Teatro Real Opera House and Moorish Walls. Best of all, the guides tell you lots of intriguing stories about the chequered history of Madrid and its residents. Tours are free but tips are expected for the guide at the end.

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Legends of the Prado Tour

Tackling Madrid’s most famous museum can be daunting – what are the must-sees and where should you start? Take the worry away by doing a walking tour with WalkingMad that delves into the legends of the Prado, including Velázquez, Goya and El Greco. A local guide will take a small group (seven people max) around the highlights of the museum, explaining the historical and social significance of the paintings. The tour takes place during the Prado’s free hours so – bonus – there is no entry free either. Just tips for the guide at the end. Tours take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 5.30pm and on Sunday at 4.30pm.

Tour the Prado with a local expert

Free Walking Tour

Free Walking Tours offers tours in English and Spanish leaving every day from Plaza de Callao, just off the Gran Vía, at 11am. The guides are fun and informative, mixing historical tales with fun factual nuggets along the way. During the two-and-a-half hour tour you’ll learn about everything from Miguel de Cervantes to the Movida Madrileña, the indie, counter-cultural movement that flourished after the death of dictator Francisco Franco in the late ’70s and ’80s.

Devour Madrid

OK, this tour might be more eating than walking but it gives you a great introduction to Madrid’s food scene and you will walk off some of the food between pit stops. Devour Madrid offers a range of tours, from the tapas, taverns and history tour to a tour of Madrid’s rastro flea market and tapas scene. The company’s team of international guides are knowledgeable and passionate about Spanish cuisine, and eager to share their love with new visitors to the city.

Explore Madrid’s food scene

Madrid Day Tours

If you’re looking to travel a little further afield and prefer to be driven rather than take public transport, Madrid Day Tours offer hotel pick ups and fascinating day trips to Toledo, Segovia and El Escorial. Tours start at just over €100 per person, with a maximum of six people on the trip.

Explore nearby cities like Segovia, with its Roman aqueduct

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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Discovering Madrid with a SANDEMANs walking tour

WALKING TOURS & ACTIVITIES IN MADRID

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Free Tour of Madrid

Book the original Madrid free walking tour and visit many of the city's highlights with a local guid ...

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Spanish Inquisition Free Walking Tour

Discover the darkest and bloodiest days of Madrid’s history with the Spanish Inquisition tour

Majestic Madrid Tour Guide

Majestic Madrid Free Walking Tour

Take in some of the most vibrant parts of Madrid on this 2.5-hour walking tour

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Madrid Flamenco Show

Enjoy a typical Spanish evening with one of Madrid's best flamenco shows

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2-hour Madrid Highlights Private Tour

Make the most out of your visit and discover Madrid's main attractions with your private tour guide

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3-hour Madrid Private City Tour

Enjoy a comprehensive overview of Madrid's fascinating history and must-see sites with your private ...

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Tell us the landmarks, stories or parts of the city you want to see, how long you have to see them and when you want to go, and we’ll build an itinerary that suits you.

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Discover the many faces of Madrid with a passionate local guide

From the capital of the world’s largest empire, to the dark heart of the Spanish Inquisition, today this beautiful cosmopolitan city is home of culture, nightlife, and an energy that you can feel as soon as you arrive. Join us to see this extraordinary city through the eyes of Madrid’s best local tour guides.

The original  Free Tour of Madrid  starts at Plaza Mayor, and covers many of Madrid’s top attractions, including the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral. After you’ve got the overview with the free walking tour, delve deeper with us!

The  Majestic Madrid Tour  will give you an overview of Madrid’s literary history, as well as taking you to the Golden Triangle of Art. After you’ve experience the enlightened Madrid, learn about the dark side with the  Spanish Inquisition Tour , to date one of the darkest periods of European history.

With all that walking, you’ll be getting hungry, and if you’re looking for a food tour, our  Tapas Tour will take you to incredible traditional tapas bars. And why not combine it with a breathtaking flamenco show with our Spanish Experience ?

One thing’s for sure; the top things to do and see in Madrid can all be found on a SANDEMANs tour!

Enjoy authentic local experiences

Madrid is part of the SANDEMANs NEW Europe network, one of the largest walking tour companies in the world. Offering daily tours in English and Spanish, we believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of Madrid's best local freelance tour guides, who passionately share the city's history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style.

Aside from the Free Tour, in Madrid you’ll also find unforgettable tours and experiences. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon!

Tours & activities across Europe, Israel & USA

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Things to do in Madrid

Ready to start exploring Madrid? Check out these useful tips and don't miss any of the city's main attractions

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The best accommodation in town

Finding the right place to stay can be difficult - that's why we have sorted you out with a list of our favourite hostels and hotels in Madrid

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The best places to eat in Madrid

Don't fall into any tourist trap! Here's a list of the top places to eat in Madrid recommended by locals

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The greatest bars in the city

Discover our selection of popular spots among the locals to taste from great wine to delicious cocktails

The local expert guides we work with are proud to show you the best Madrid has to offer!

Scroll through to learn more about these unforgettable guides, including where they’re from, why they love Madrid and which tours they can offer you.

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Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.

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The Best Walking Tours in Madrid

The charming historic buildings in Madrid, Spain on a bright summer day

Hemingway once called Madrid “the capital of the world” and in his book Death in the Afternoon , referred to it as “the most Spanish of all cities.”

As the second-largest city in the European Union (after Berlin ), Madrid wows visitors with it’s beauty, museums, history, and food.

Madrid also boasts numerous neighborhoods crammed with fun tapas bars, their narrow, cobbled streets brimming with happy revelers until the wee hours of the morning.

There is a ton to see and do here , so much so that you could easily spend a couple of weeks dedicating yourself to getting below the surface of Madrid and still end up yearning for more.

Whether you’re looking for a light introduction to the city or something more comprehensive and nuanced, walking tours are the best way to peel back the layers of a place for a more authentic, in-depth experience. From brief free ones to food tours to in-depth historical walks, there is something for every traveler — and every budget.

To help you make the most of your time in “the capital of the world,” here’s a list of the best walking tours (and one biking tour) in Madrid:

Best Overall Tour

The Take Walks walking tour company logo

Take Walks is my favorite walking tour company in the city. They specialize in early and exclusive access to sites. The Prado & Botin tour , for example, takes you into the famous restaurants kitchen and underground tunnels. Their tours are incredible and my favorite in the city!

Best Free Tour

new Europe logo

New Europe Walking Tours does a tips-based free walking tour through the center of Madrid, covering the history of the city and stopping at major sights. It starts at Plaza Mayor and finishes at Plaza Isabel II, hitting many other places along the way. (New Europe also offers private paid tours if you’re traveling with a group and prefer to take a private tour on your own schedule.)

Other Top Walking Tours in Madrid

A relaxing park and small lake in sunny Madrid, Spain

If you’re on a budget, free tours are a great way to get the basics of Madrid. But if you’re a walking tour lover or you just want to dive into something more specific, you’ll have to pay for a more detailed one. Here are some of the best paid tours in Madrid to help you deepen your experience:

1. Devour Tours

Devour does food tours all over Spain and Italy , but its founders live in Madrid. This is why it’s especially fortuitous to do a Devour tour here — particularly if you’re a foodie. The four-hour Tapas, Taverns & History tour will fill you up and leave you satisfied. You’ll hit four family-run tapas bars for food and drink, weaving from one place to the next while stopping at major landmarks. It’s the perfect way to spend an evening in Madrid.

Tours from 99 EUR per person.

2. Free Walking Tours Madrid

Free Walking Tours Madrid is technically not free, but it’s still super affordable. You have to register for a tour and pay 3 EUR to guarantee your spot, which kind of defeats the “free tour” label; however, that’s still a bargain, and you cover a lot of ground.

The tours start with Madrid’s origins as a small Arab town, taking participants all the way through the world-spanning Spanish empire, through the Civil War and Franco’s dictatorship, and to the post-Franco “Movida” era of the late ’70s and ’80s. If you want a good primer on Madrid and Spanish history, this is it.

3. The Wellington Society of Madrid

This tour company isn’t as much a “society” as just the fabulous tour guide Stephen Drake-Jones leading small groups through Madrid on specialty tours. He does wine tours, ones that focus on Goya, and a great one on Ernest Hemingway, who spent several years in Madrid. You’ll be taken to — surprise, surprise — a few historic bars, including the amazing sherry bar La Venencia, that were typical haunts of “Don Ernesto” while he was in Madrid.

Tours from 125 EUR per person.

4. Madrid Day Tours

While this operator does do a walking tour of Madrid, its specialty is taking you out of Madrid to one of the fabulous smaller historic towns in the nearby countryside. This is a great way to visit another part of Spain while you’re based in Madrid. Tours to the medieval cities of Toledo or Segovia are great options, as they’re both just a short drive away and pack a great punch in terms of the wow factor.

Tours from 69 EUR per person.

5. Cool Tour Spain

This tour company offers engaging street art tours around Madrid. They take you around the multicultural Lavapies area to show you the amazing street art sprinkled around this central Madrid neighborhood. There are also walks that focus on architecture, feminism, and contemporary art. This is great for when you need a break from the centuries-old buildings and historic landmarks that can sometimes get a little tiresome.

Tours from 20 EUR per person.

6. Walk Eat Spain

Margaret and Amy, two long-time American expats in Madrid, lead fun walking tours in Madrid. You stop, eat, get an explanation about the dish and history of the place, and then walk it off until your next stop. Walk Eat Spain organizes walks around the vibrant Malasaña neighborhood, one of the best areas for tapas and wine crawls. They also have family-friendly private tours so you can have a more customized experience.

Tours from 89 EUR per person.

7. Fat Tire Tours

Need to give your feet a break? Or just prefer pedaling? Fat Tire offers two different three-hour bike tours around town. You’ll learn some history, explore lesser-visited neighborhoods, and still see all the highlights. While their tours pack in a lot, they also keep things at a leisurely pace, so you’ll never feel rushed. And since Madrid is one of Europe’s greenest capital cities, there’s also a tour that focuses on its parks and rivers, perfect for families — or anyone who doesn’t want to cycle around the busy city center.

Tours from 32 EUR per person.

While popular tourist hot spots like Madrid are easy to explore on your own, if you want a deeper, more authentic experience, it’s always best to connect with an expert local guide. Walking tours are just the way to go. I always take a few while I’m here, and I encourage you to do the same (definitely start with my favorite, Take Walks ).

Book Your Trip to Spain: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Three of my favorite places to stay in Madrid are are:

  • Sungate One
  • MuchoMadrid

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

  • SafetyWing (best for everyone)
  • Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
  • Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They save you money when you travel too.

Want a Guide? Madrid has some really interesting tours. My favorite company is Walks , which has expert guides and can get you behind the scenes of the city’s best attractions. It’s my go-to walking tour company!

Want More Information on Madrid? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Madrid for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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We always offer small groups on our guided tours in Madrid. In this way, the experience is much more dynamic and we can offer an excellent service to our clients . Forget about being herded from one location to another with little time to ask questions or see anything in detail.

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Feel the tradition. Our team of hand-picked guides will make you discover Madrid and its history in a fun and entertaining manner. They love sharing with you the hidden gems not mentioned in guidebooks, secret spots and the local people you wouldn’t otherwise meet.

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Hola! We are Javier and Tatiana, a couple passionate about Madrid and its fascinating history. In 2013 we decided to start OgoTours, a walking tour company specialized in Madrid. This project would change our lives forever.

Time has flown by since OgoTours started but we are proud to continue being a 100% local business. This is the backbone of our company. Being a family-run business give us a special relationship with the city and community. A connection that extends far beyond business relationships. Unlike the big multinational tour operators, being a small local company allows us to keep the authentic essence of the city.

Nowadays, our small team of guides consists of historians, art historians and local experts who love sharing their favorite spots in the city and its history. We will make you feel Madrid like a local.

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Smaller groups (max. 10 people).

Our groups are now limited to 10 people, therefore it is required to book your spot in advance.

MANDATORY USE OF FACE MASK

Mandatory use of face masks for guides and customers . Following the Spanish legislation, the wearing of face masks in all public spaces is obligatory.

SOCIAL DISTANCING (2 METERS)

When available, we highly recommend to maintain 2-meters social distancing between all the participants of the tour.

HAND SANITIZER AVAILABLE

All our guides will be carrying hand sanitizer during the tour and it will be available during the whole route for you.

GUIDES EQUIPPED WITH VOICE AMPLIFIERS

You will hear the explanations perfectly , as your guide will be carrying a voice amplifier.

You don´t need to print out your tour confirmation (just in case keep the email confirmation on your phone). Your name and last name will be enough for the guide to complete the check-in process.

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Discover the madrid that most travelers will never find by themselves, private prado tours.

Choose from 10 private tours–led by official guides of Madrid and Art Historians–of one of the world’s largest art collections. Chose between 1.5hr – 3hr tours, each covering the most fascinating stories of the Prado’s masterpieces, and the masters who painted them.

PRIVATE MUSEUM TOURS

Our private tours of Madrid’s world famous museums include the Reina Sofia and a meticulous analysis of the famous Guernica by Picasso, the amazing Thyssen Bornemisza museum’s collection, the glamorous Royal Palace, and other fascinating museums and art galleries. All tours are led by friendly, English-speaking official guides of Madrid and Art Historians.

PRIVATE WALKING TOURS

Our private walking tours are for travelers who aspire to know Madrid more profoundly. We venture off the beaten path of typical ‘Tapas Tours’ and ‘Free Tours’ in the Central District to show you the authentic, local flavor of current Madrid and its historical context. 

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Kings and Queens of Spain

This private tour of Madrid Tourist Guides reveals the exciting circumstances and adventures of the lives of the kings of Spain. We will get to know their dreams and ambitions; triumphs and failures...

All museum tours are priced by group, not per person . Museum admission not included.

Duration 1.5 hrs 2 hrs 3 hrs

1-7 People 156€ 205€ 292€

8-14 People 221€

  • Our guides are Licensed Guides of Madrid, Art Historians, friendly, and fluent in English (and many other languages).
  • Your tour is private and personal so you can hear every word and ask as many questions as you like.
  • Each tour tells the fascinating stories behind some the most influential artists and rulers in human history.
  • Pick a starting time that works with your schedule (we recommend between 10am – 4pm).

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REINA SOFIA MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ABSTRACT ARTISTS

The Reina Sofia has some 30,000 works of modern art including paintings, sculptures, photographs and films. Our private tour through the Reina Sofia begins with an interesting selection of...

Duration 1.5 hrs 2 hrs

1-7 People 156€ 205€

  • Pick a starting time that works with your schedule (we recommend between 10am – 6pm).
  • This tour is not available on Tuesdays

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STROLL IN PUERTA DEL SOL AND PLAZA MAYOR MADRID NEIGHBORHOOD

This 4 hour stroll through Madrid's world famous Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor Quarter, combined with the picturesque Justice Quarter, takes you on a journey through history, varied architecture...

All walking tours are priced by group, not per person . Caña y pincho de tortilla is included.

Duration 4 hrs

1-10 People 278€

  • This walking tour takes you off the beaten path and is designed for travelers who who aspire to know Madrid more profoundly.
  • Stop at the best bar in the neighborhood to enjoy the typical ‘caña y pincho de tortilla’ (included in the price).
  • Your tour is private and limited only to your group (no additional people are added) so you can hear every word and ask as many questions as you like.
  • Our guides are Licensed Guides of Madrid, Art Historians, friendly, and fluent in English (and many other languages).
  • Choose either a 10am or 4pm start time (tours begin and end at clients’ residency in Madrid).

Madrid Tourist Guides Team

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With over 20 years of experience, Irina Karasenko and her team have led hundreds of tours throughout Spain and they received a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor every year since 2011.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

We just wanted to let you know that we greatly enjoyed our tour with Irina. She was just what we were looking for and we learned so much from her.

Alicia Powell, USA

Thank you! Irina is the best guide we have ever met! Our tour was absolutely fantastic, please send Irina our regards.

Dr. Lyubov Gorelik, Brooklyn, NY

I wanted to express our gratitude for our tour of Prado with Irina on December 16. Irina was extremely knowledgeable and charming and time with her was a kind of spiritual and intellectual experience. It really made not only our day, but the fascinating background to our trip to your amazing city. Many thanks again!

Janna Blechman, Tel Aviv, Israel

We just returned last night from our trip to your beautiful country. And my Prado tour remains one of the most memorable experiences of our visit. My best to you and Irina.

Mr. Hatfield, California

I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the tours by Hernan and Irina. They really added to our appreciation of Madrid. All the best to all of you.

Jon Kobak, New York

Please let Irina know how memorable and informative my tour of the Prado and Old Madrid was... we shared an interest in art and history... the painting of Spain's loco queen and the casket of the king he loved is still in my mind and I shall return to see it again. Many thanks

Michael Gordon, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Irina, It is so nice to hear from you. I am delighted that you liked my card. The Matisse is gorgeous in person and has always been a favorite. Since we were in Madrid over the Christmas holiday, there was so much we missed in our limited time. I would love to go back to Madrid and will definitely let you know so you can provide another tour or two! In the meantime, I will recommend your tours to friends traveling to Madrid in the future.

Mary Ellen, Bethesda, MD

Irina was wonderful!!! Thanks

Annette Telljohann, Charlotte, North Carolina

Irina was FANTASTIC!!!! Best guide that I've ever had. She was really great and so kind to my kids. Thanks again.

Mrs. Semaan, Boston, Massachusetts

Thank you very much! Irina’s tour was outstanding today and we enjoyed it very much. We learned so much more than we would have if we had just visited the museum on our own. It was a truly fascinating way to learn about the history of Spain. Please pass on our kind regards and appreciation to her!

Dr. Meyer, Woodinville, Washington

I just wanted to give you feedback from our tour on Sunday. Irina was amazing. My husband and I wanted to do the Prado because that is what you do; we felt obligated but he was not excited about doing it at all especially knowing our kids are not museum people. Irina changed that...she had them engaged the entire time. She provided history, reinforced it for my daughter, answered my son's questions, taught them different techniques. We walked out of that museum each have a favorite painting and having enjoyed the experience. Thank you!

Hilary Weiss, Potomoac, Maryland

I wanted to tell you what a wonderful visit we had to the Prado yesterday. Your tour was so informative and we could never have learnt the information that you passed to us from books. Thank you so much. We will have to come back to Madrid again and will definitely pass on your name to our friends who are visiting.

Mark O'Sullivan, Melbourne, Australia

I just wanted to thank Irina for guiding us for a second day in Madrid her depth of knowledge, expertise friendly approach has quite frankly made our trip in Madrid. A huge thank you from both myself Juliet and Mark Campion

Juliet and Mark Campion, UK

We did a tour of highlights and paintings with Jewish themes with Irina. It was fascinating! My husband and I are far from being art connoisseurs but Irina made the paintings she showed us come to life! Her vast knowledge is most impressive and she shares so much information in such an interesting manner. I never imagined that we could enjoy an art tour so much.

Esther Rothenstein, Toronto, Ontario

Thank you so much. We had a wonderful time today. We learned so much and got to see some of the non-touristy streets of Madrid. We had a lot of fun.

Barbara White, Scottsdale, Arizona

Just a quick email to again thank you for the fascinating tour of the Prado. As well as giving a terrific overview of the gallery’s magnificent collection I found your idea on taking a more “long distance” view of some paintings very effective, giving me a much deeper insight into the works of painters like Braques and Picasso (which I saw during my later visits to the Thyssen and Reina Sofia galleries.) Again, many thanks.

Anne Fussell, Sydney, NSW

Just a note to let you know that our tour with Irina was just wonderful. We had a family group of varied ages, and she guided us through the Prado with humor, knowledge and a sense of history. We all agreed that it a tour like this is the only way to visit a large museum. Our thanks to you and Irina for a memorable experience.

David Hampton, Clayton, CA

Irina was excellent. She guided us through a series of paintings by the greats while linking them to history. It all began to make sense. A private, guided tour is worth every penny.

Kathleen Dawsom

Irina was a fabulous tour guide and kept our whole family interested. We got off the plane from the U.S. and went straight to meet Irina for the tour. We were tired but she kept us going with interesting facts and sites. We loved our tour of the Prado and then she took us on a stroll through Madrid. She ended with leaving us at a fabulous restaurant. It was a great experience for all of us.

My guided tour of the Prado was the highlight of a wonderful trip to Madrid. Irina was an excellent guide; very knowledgeable but also with a highly engaging manner. It was like being accompanied by a friend who is an expert in art. She not only covered the scholarly details and interpretation, she was able to add anecdotes and additional information that made the paintings and artists come alive. I can honestly say she changed my whole approach to how to look at, and fully appreciate, works of art. The booking process was very smooth with a quick and helpful response to my last minute request for change. Highly recommended.

Stillnotconfused

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Museum of Wander

Hit the Streets of Madrid With This Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour (Includes Map)

Our self-guided walking tour shows you the top sights, world famous art and the best places to eat in Madrid.

Madrid or Barcelona? Barcelona or Madrid? Madrid and Barcelona? It took us such a long time to make up our minds when we were planning our Spain and Portugal itinerary. Eventually, we committed ourselves to Madrid and we couldn’t be happier with our decision. With only two full days in Spain’s capital, we knew that we had to use our time wisely to see the highlights and eat all the tapas that we wanted. Except for planning to visit one of Madrid’s world-famous art museums, we had no real plan before arriving, so upon arrival, we grabbed a city map from our hotel and designed our own self-guided walking tour of Madrid.

Our self-guided walking tour of Madrid is a perfect introduction to the city. But let’s be honest: with only two days and being first-time visitors it doesn’t feature any hidden gems. It’s definitely not a local’s guide to Madrid. Instead, you’ll get to see the highlights of Madrid at a leisurely pace over two days and our recommendations of where to eat.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you).

Where to Stay for this Madrid Walking Tour

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. And price. We stayed at Hostal Met Madrid which is just across the road from the Mercado de San Miguel. The room was spotless, quiet and the location can’t be beaten.

Being so central, this guesthouse is the perfect base for exploring Madrid. We walked everywhere we mention in our Madrid walking tour, except for taking the metro to the Reina Sofia museum.

Don’t think it’s a hostel ala bunkbed though. A hostal is a budget-midrange hotel, almost like a guesthouse and quite popular throughout Spain. The room was spotless, came with a small fridge and the AC was very welcome during our siesta sessions.

Hostal Met Madrid offers exceptional value for money and comes highly recommended. The money we saved on accommodation and transport went straight into our tapas/churros/sangria kitty 🙂

Check prices and availability

Madrid Self-Guided Walking Tour Map: Day 1

Day 1 of our Madrid walking tour will take in the major sights and monuments, and include stops at places to indulge in the city’s fabulous food.

Start Your Walking Tour at Puerta Del Sol

Madrid self-guided walking tour starting in Sol

Puerta del Sol, or simply Sol, is one of Madrid’s most central points from where all the city’s roads stem from. It’s also one of the busiest metro stops and the plaza is always buzzing. Sol is the starting point of our walking tour and also the gateway to many of the bars and restaurants in the immediate area.

The Tio Pepe sign advertising Andalusian sherry is one of Madrid’s famous landmarks. The man on horseback in the centre of the plaza is King Charles III of Spain . Other than tourists, street performers and businessmen you can also find the statue of the Bear and Strawberry tree here, which is a popular meeting spot. The statue represents Madrid’s coat of arms and while it’s the pride of Madrileños , you don’t have to go out of your way to see it.

Another quirky point of interest is the Kilometre Zero slab in front of the Town Hall. All major roads in Spain radiate outwards from this point.

Plaza Mayor

Entrance to Plaza Mayor, Madrid

Plaza Mayor is one of the most beautiful and famous landmarks in Madrid. The arcaded square is intimate rather than grande, and it’s indeed very picturesque. Three stories of residential buildings with wrought-iron balconies completely wrap around the Plaza Mayor.

Nine entranceways lead into the square where you’ll find an equestrian statue of King Phillip III who overlooks the international crowds and street performers.

Surrounding the square are cafes and restaurants which could make a nice place for a drink or bite to eat. But don’t eat here (yet) as our breakfast/brunch stop is just steps away. If you are staying in the area you should also come back to Plaza Mayor after dark since it has a totally different feel at night. Then you can have a drink and bite to eat here.

Eat Tapas at Mercado de San Miguel

Mercado de San Miguel on a self guided walking tour of Madrid

By now you should have worked up a nice appetite. That’s great since the stylish Mercado de San Miguel might as well be called the Mercado de Tapa Nirvana. The iron and glass art nouveau structure is one of the best places to come to experience Madrid’s excellent tapa culture. Not only are all the tapas here mini works of art in themselves, but everything we had here was damn good.

Established in 1916, this gastronomic paradise is one of Madrid’s oldest and hippest markets. The covered market has over 30 vendors, each stall perfecting one or two tapa dishes. All the tapas are beautifully displayed and we wanted to eat them all. It’s a good idea to walk through the market to see everything there is before going back to get your favourites. Good to know too is that alcoholic drinks are available. So if you feel like living it up here in Madrid, go ahead and have breakfast sangria, vermouth or beer. If saving yourself, then perhaps get a coffee. The market is open every day from 10:00 until midnight and makes a perfect stop any time of day or night. Since our hotel was just around the corner we came here a few times.

Want more food? Check out these awesome food tours in Madrid: Wine and Tapas in Madrid Lonely Planet Experiences: Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Tour Evening Tapas Tour through Madrid

Spot Unique Street Names

Madrid self-guided walking tour

Keep an eye out for the street names as you follow our walking tour. Even if you don’t speak any Spanish (like us) the pictures will pretty much tell you what it means.

We really liked looking at street names in Madrid. It seems that in days gone past each street was known for something special. As you walk around spot all these different streets. Street of the embroiderers, street of the blacksmiths, street of the clowns etc.

See the Modern Almudena Cathedral

Almudena Cathedral

Situated adjacent to the Plaza de Armas of the Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral might look old but in fact, it was only opened in 1993. Uniquely modern inside, the cathedral is Neo-Gothic in style.

It looks as if a rainbow exploded onto the ceiling with its colourful patterns and designs. The stained glass windows have a nice modern twist to them as well, and can perhaps be described as religious pop art. Entry to the cathedral is free of charge, but you’ll need to pay if you want to visit the museum.

Feel Royal at the Madrid Palacio Real

Madrid Royal Palace

Right next to the cathedral is the monumental Royal Palace of Madrid, which is the largest palace in Western Europe. The palace is home to Spain’s royal family but is only used really for state ceremonies these days. Looking at the long line kept us from looking inside. The palace is still impressive to look at from the outside though.

Top Tip: Avoid the lines and book your fast-track entrance tickets online.

Is the Plaza de Espana Open?

Madrid self guided walking tour

We came here to see the monument to one of Spain’s most beloved figures: Don Quixote. When we arrived at the plaza we were disappointed to find it all boarded up due to construction work. The text on the boards read SUMMER BITCH !

Apparently, while construction was going on they found major historic artefacts and because extensive excavation will need to be done, it will be months before the plaza reopens. Staff at our hotel told us later that it will only reopen in 2020, but no one is sure when.

Stroll & Shop on Gran Via

Madrid self-guided walking tour

Plaza de España marks the southern end of Gran Via, Madrid’s most famous shopping street . Beautiful buildings from the early 1900s line the entire length of Gran Via and you can also find Spain’s famous fashion stores such as Zara, Mango, Stradivarius and Bimba y Lola here if you’re in the mood for burning money.

Gran Via is also known as the Spanish Broadway thanks to many theatres and exciting nightlife options.

Indulge in the Best Chocolate Con Churros in Madrid

Madrid self-guided walking tour

Is it possible to put heaven into a cup? ABSOLUTELY! Time for chocolate and churros! You’ll find Madrid’s, if not the world’s, best hot chocolate tucked away in alley Pasadizo San Ginés just off the busy Calle Arena. Madrileños have been coming here since 1894 for their chocolate – churros fix.

Order a cup of thick, sweet chocolate and a plate of golden fried churros from the marble counter and the waiter will bring it to your table within minutes.

Dip your churros into the rich and smooth chocolate and you’ll soon understand why Chocolatería San Ginés has been around for more than a hundred years and people are still lining up. This place has ruined every other hot chocolate that we will ever have.

Best of all, it’s open 24 hours a day to cater to all our choco-junkies.

As a national pastime, siesta is as Spanish as Sangria, Jamon and bullfighting. After being on the streets since the morning it’s a good idea to have some downtime and experience this essential aspect of Spanish life.

Dinner in Madrid doesn’t really start until well after 21:00, so go back to your place and do as the Spaniards do and take a nice long siesta. Take a nap, read a book, watch a movie, make love, open a bottle of wine or all of the above in no particular order.

Dinner at Museo de Jamón

Entrance to the Museo del Jamon in Madrid

Not a museum in the traditional sense but indeed belongs up there with the Prado and Reina Sofia, the Museum of Ham is a casual stand and eat-at-the-counter tapas bar . One part bar, one part meat deli the Museo is always loud, always packed and everyone always seems to be enjoying life here. But then who wouldn’t with cheap beer and ham under the same roof? It was actually so good and cheap that we came here three times in two days!

A little intimidating at first, it’s best to dive right in and join the crowd at the bar. Ask for jamón, and the barman will present you with an English picture menu. Ham is not simply ham here. Hundreds of pig legs hang from the walls, so you’ll need to specify whether is jamón Ibérico or jamón serrano . There are also plates of cheese and crispy sandwiches on the menu. We really liked the Iberico and melon plate and old sheep cheese portion.

Museo del Jamón is a chain and has branches scattered throughout Madrid. We visited the one on Calle Mayor, halfway between Sol and Plaza Mayor and the branch on Plaza Mayor the next day. The one on Plaza Mayor has seating outside on the square which is good for having a bite and drink, but the branch on Calle Mayor was our favourite by far.

Madrid Self-Guided Walking Tour: Day 2

Today is museum day but we choose to visit only one of the world-famous art museums. We think that doing more than one will be draining. You can choose to visit either the Prado or the Reina Sofia, which are located near each other anyway.

The second day of our self-guided walking tour of Madrid has less walking than the first day. You’ll have plenty of time to eat tapas and drink sangria too. Sounds like a plan so let’s get going!

Breakfast at Cerveceria 100 Montaditos

Breakfast in Madrid

For breakfast, you can choose to return to the Mercado de San Miguel for tapas or Museo de Jamon for more ham and perhaps a morning beer. Or give the small but popular Cerveceria 100 Montaditos a try.

Offering breakfast options from €1, it makes the perfect breakfast spot to start your second day of our Madrid self-guided walking tour. The breakfast set of Pan con Tomate (crushed tomato toast with olive oil), jamon toast and coffee is an excellent choice for only €1.90 Throw in a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice for €2 and you have a great start to your day for €3.90. As the name suggests they also have cold beer on tap.

After breakfast walk to Sol before taking the metro to Atocha station. Known as the golden triangle of art, the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen museums are all a short walk away from Atocha station.

See The Guernica in the Reina Sofia

The entrance to the Reina Sofia art museum in Madrid

One thing we really HAD TO DO in Madrid was to visit one of its world-famous art museums . Just like our Madrid vs. Barcelona predicament before coming to Spain, we were stuck with Prado vs Reina Sofia.

In the end, Reina Sofia won since we are more interested in seeing modern and contemporary Spanish art. The Reina Sofia boasts a collection of over 21 000 works of art from the 20th century. So if modern art is your thing, you’re in for a treat.

The big draw of the Reina Sofia is Picasso’s Guernica , but it also has a handsome collection of works by Dali, Miro and Gris amongst others. The Guernica is huge; much bigger than we had anticipated. Photos showing how it evolved and how Picasso changed the painting before completion are very interesting. Photography is not allowed in the exhibition area where the Guernica is displayed.

We recommend buying your ticket online before you visit as lines to get in can apparently get ridonkeylously long. When we arrived just after opening time we walked right in without having to wait.

The museum is closed on Tuesdays. Opening hours are 10:00-21:00. The entrance price is €10 when buying at the museum, or €8 when buying online. Plan to spend at least 2.5 hours here.

Lunch at Venta el Buscon

Madrid self-guided walking tour

Take the metro back to Sol and walk a block to Calle Victoria. This little street is chockablock with great restaurants and tapas bars. All of them have lunch menus displayed outside for about €15. We ended up at Venta el Buscon which is a great little place with generous portions and friendly staff.

The lunch menu includes bread, starter, mains, dessert and a drink for €14. Our enthusiastic and charismatic waiter tried the best he could to explain the menu options to us in English. We didn’t understand that dessert was included, so when we asked for the bill after our main course (we were stuffed by then anyway) the waiter said: NO! POSTRE INCLUDED!! Not knowing what postre is, he went on to say CAKE.

Jin had a beer, prawns, calamari and tiramisu while De Wet went with vermouth, curry samosas, oxtail and cheesecake.

Venta el Buscon has superb service, a great atmosphere and fantastic food. We definitely recommend a meal here.

With your tummy full, head back to your hotel to escape the hottest part of the day. Blame the jet lag, blame the hot weather, blame all the walking or tell yourself that you’re respecting local culture, but don’t underestimate the power of a good old siesta.

Cafe Culture in La Latina

Madrid self-guided walking tour

The colourful and vibrant neighbourhood of La Latina is great for walking around and having a drink outside at one of the countless cafes and bars. Away from the main streets, you will find many small squares filled with tables and chairs and waiters willing to take your order.

If in Madrid on a Sunday you should also visit the El Rastro flea market which is held near La Latina metro station.

See the Best View in Madrid at the Circulo de Bellas Artes

Best view in Madrid

The best view in Madrid is even better at sunset. Best place to see this view? At the Circulo de Bellas Artes of course. The trendy rooftop terrace and bar on the 7th floor offer fantastic views across the Gran Via and towards la plaza Cibeles.

In summer the sun sets around 21:30 in Madrid so come here about an hour before. We had to wait in line for about 20 minutes before we could take the elevator up to the rooftop.

You need to pay €4 to take the elevator up to the rooftop, but once there you don’t have to order anything unless you want to of course.

Dinner in Plaza Mayor

Sol Plaza at night, Madrid

As we mentioned before, dinner in Madrid does not start until late at night. After seeing the sunset (around 22:00) we walked back towards Sol and on to Plaza Mayor to see it lit up at night. We decided to have dinner at the Plaza Mayor branch of Museo del Jamón . At this branch, you can sit at tables outside on the plaza, unlike the branch around the corner where you have to stand at the bar. There’s no better way to end our Madrid self-guided walking tour than putting your feet up and having sangria and ham in Plaza Mayor.

Now it’s your turn : Let us know in the comments below if you have any questions. As always we will try our best to help. Did we miss anything? Go put on a pair of comfy walking shoes and hit the streets of Madrid!

Heading to Seville? Check out how to really enjoy Seville in 3 days . Going to the Costa de Sol? Here are the best Marbella Hotels .

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Madrid Walking Tour “Best Insider” (Tapas Optional) – 2 to 3 h

19,50 € - EVERY DAY AT 18:00 H

  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Family friendly
  • Walking Tour Madrid
  • Other languages on request

Madrid Walking Tour (Tapas Optional)

Every day at 18 h

Book online now!

If you are more comfortable exploring by foot than on a bike, this walking tour is perfect for you. It takes around 2-3 hrs hours, during which time your knowledgeable, friendly guide will talk you through some of the most important sights in the centre of Madrid. We’ll be walking at a relaxed pace, but bring comfortable footwear!

Get a great taste of Spain – Join our culinary tapas walk through Madrid ➜ Spaniards celebrate life by picking up a fork. Food is central to Spanish identity, and Madrid is the best place to discover all that Spain’s cuisine has to offer.

This walking tour can be booked in several languages.

You’ll get to see the likes of the Puerta del Sol, the Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, and many lovely squares and winding streets, plus a few traditional markets, centuries-old family businesses, and some of the coolest neighbourhoods in the city.

Optional: Walking Tapas Tour

If you’d like to taste some typically Spanish food you can book this tour with the option of also sampling some delicious tapas. Traditionally, tapas are small savoury dishes, snacks or appetisers which are very popular of Spanish cuisine. It might be breads and meat, or a selection of dishes ranging from jamón (cured ham), stuffed mussels, and fried squid, to olives, mushrooms and other vegetables. Best of all, tapas make for a great way to try something new. If you choose to (this option will be available once you are in the “book now” section) then the tour will be around half an hour longer.

Let us surprise you, and get a taste of the real Spain!

On this walking tour you will see the most important sites in the city center of Madrid:

  • Puerta del Sol
  • San Ginés Chocolate shop
  • Royal Palace
  • Medieval Madrid
  • Plaza Mayor
  • Congress of Deputies
  • …and much, much more 🙂

Walking Tour (Tapas optional)

Walking Tour (Tapas optional)

The walking tour starts from our shop, which is located in the heart of Madrid. It takes around 2-3 hours, and we will be walking at a relaxed pace – but we do recommend you bring sensible shoes, and a sense of adventure! This walking tour can be booked in several languages.

Our first stop will be one of the most well-known places of Madrid, the Puerta del Sol (Sun Gate, a wonderful name), which is just round the corner from our shop. Puerta del Sol is not only the meeting point for friends and musicians, and a place that protesters gather to defend their rights – it’s also best known for three other things:

El Oso y el Madroño (the Bear and the Strawberry Tree), a bronze statue built in 1967 and weighing 22 tons, is the official symbol of Madrid.

The clock turret and bells of the Casa de Correos (postal office): known throughout Spain for being the place from where the famous chimes of the Puerta del Sol ring out, and the end of every year end since 1962 – thousands of people gather to eat the symbolic 12 grapes and welcome the new year.

Kilometre Zero: the signposted starting point for measuring the distances of the Spain’s six national roads, and the starting point for Madrid’s numbered streets – tourists rarely leave Madrid without a photo with it!

Madrid Walking Tour (Tapas optional)

Our next stop is the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales (the Convent of the Royal Barefoot Nuns). This convent has a strong historical connection with the women of the Spanish Hapsburg lineage, and it’s seen as the female equivalent to the nearby Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, one of Spain’s royal sites.

The convent occupies an old palace, which was once the residence of Charles V and Isabel of Portugal. It’s also the birthplace of their daughter Doña Juana, born in 1535, who founded this convent of barefoot Franciscan nuns in 1559. Widowed or spinster ladies of nobility would seek refuge at this monastery, taking dowries and their personal belongings with them – today, the convent has a fascinating collection of paintings, tapestries and religious images.

Not too far away is our next stop, the iconic Teatro Real (Royal Theatre). One of Europe’s leading opera houses, it has undergone a number of renovations since it was established in 1850. It may not look like much from the outside, but the interior surprises visitors with its elegant decor, boundless luxury and wonderful acoustics. Without a doubt, it’s a must-see for opera lovers.

We’ll next cross the Plaza de Oriente , where an impressive building will catch your eye: the Palacio Real (Royal Palace). Once home to the Kings of Spain from Charles III to Alfonso XIII, Madrid’s Royal Palace offers visitors a fascinating journey through the regal history of Spain. Though it no longer serves the royal family’s home, it continues to be its official residence.

If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see the bi-weekly changing of the guard (Wednesdays and Saturdays) or the monthly solemn changing of the guard (first Wednesday of the month). They’re both certainly a sight to behold!

Just next to the Royal Palace is the Almudena Cathedral . This imposing church is among Madrid’s most popular tourist attractions, both because of its Neo-Gothic style and bright interior, and because the site on which it stands was originally occupied by Madrid’s first mosque (the old Aljama mosque of Mayrit), then by a church dedicated to one of Madrid’s patron saints, Santa María de la Almudena.

Madrid Walking Tour (Tapas optional)

We’ll now continue walking around the medieval part of Madrid, and we’ll pass the Plaza de la Villa, which is one of Madrid’s best historical monuments. It’s home to some stunning period architecture, and some of the buildings date back to the Middle Ages – one of which was the home of Madrid’s City Hall until 2007.

Madrid is brimming with traditional and modern markets, where locals do their weekly shop and meet friends for a drink and a bite to eat. One of the most impressive markets is the Mercado San Miguel, which is regarded as the city’s ‘gastronomic temple’. It features more than 30 stalls, the delights of which can be enjoyed in all weathers thanks to the market’s magnificent wrought iron and glass structure.

Madrid Walking Tour (Tapas optional)

As well as soaking in its vastness and beauty, and marvelling at the history and architecture, locals often come here to have a drink and a bite to eat in one of the many restaurants and cafes around the square, and watch the world go by.

Before we walk back to our shop, there are a few more sights to see on the way! As you’ll see, Madrid is full of lovely squares – next we’ll see the Plaza de Jacinto Benavente, which was established in 1926 in memory of the playwright and Nobel Prize winner Jacinto Benavente y Martínez.

“I have never been to a city where there is less reason to go to bed and… if I did go to bed, to sleep” (Ernest Hemingway)

Another of Madrid’s most popular squares is a hub of food, nightlife, and culture. The Plaza de Santa Ana, built in 1810 to bring open space to the constricted neighbourhood of Barrio de Las Letras, is one of Madrid’s most popular and lively squares. Even celebrated author Ernest Hemingway frequented the bars around Plaza de Santa Ana during his stints in Madrid!

Next we’ll pass the Palacio de las Cortes Españolas, where the Spanish Congress of Deputies gathers. Fun fact: the lions flanking the entrance were built using the iron from cannons captured during the Spanish-Moroccan War.

As we come to the end of our tour, we’ll pass the impressive Círculo de Bellas Artes, a multidisciplinary cultural centre founded in 1880 by a small group of artists. One tip: we recommend you make your way to the top of the building for one of the best panoramic views of the capital!

After all these beautiful sights, we’ll now head back to our shop. We hope that this tour has left you inspired and full of ideas for where to come back to and explore further!

Optional: Tapas

Additional information

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Madrid is one of the greatest cities in Spain

Madrid is a vibrant, buzzing city. Its many cafés, tapas bars and restaurants are testament to the Spanish capital's legacy as a cultural and very social city - indeed it's home to Botin restaurant, the oldest in the world! There's always a party in Madrid, from Puerta del sol square to the hip district of Chueca you'll embrace a famous local nightlife made of excellent flamenco bars, great pubs & taverns and a world renowned clubbing scene. This coupled with a wealth of fantastic museums, galleries & theatres, beautiful gardens and parks makes Madrid an ideal city to visit.

Madrid's winding streets have seen a great deal of history and freetour.com recommended free walking tours will give you an unbeatable, authentic insight to this wonderful city. Join enthusiastic local guides to see hidden secrets & key sights like Palacio Real, Puerta de Alcala & majestic Almudena Cathedral and to learn about fascinating history including occupations, the civil war, the Spanish Inquisition, General Franco and much more.

There's so much to do in Madrid after your tour. You can shop and bargain hunt at El Rastro flea market, watch the world go by with a great coffee in Plaza Mayor, soak up the sun and spirit in Buen Retiro park, visit the Prado gallery for art works by Goy and Bosch, or even catch a Real Madrid game at the Bernabeu. Before long, you'll be madly in love with Madrid.

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free walking tours madrid

Traveler Rating 1579 Reviews

Free Walking Tours Madrid

The best free tour of Madrid! Free Walking Tours Madrid promotes a tourism that fuses entertainment, culture and respect for the city 🙂 Join and discover Madrid with us!

  • Entertainment and culture , is the combination that defines our success formula.
  • Expert guides that are passionate about the city!
  • Free Tour concept, where you choose the price.

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free walking tours madrid

Tours & Activities in Madrid

  • Free Tour Madrid The best Free Tour of Madrid! Free Tour Madrid promotes tourism that blends entertainment, culture and respect for the city. Join and discover Madrid with us, discover the best side of the city !! Book & Info
  • Free Tour Madrid Monumental & Retiro Park Explore with us the most monumental and artistic Madrid, a tour of the great architectural works of the city. Book & Info
  • Flamenco Show in Madrid Live the passion of dance and flamenco in Madrid. Highly talented artists and a unique environment to discover this incredible Spanish dance. An experience for the senses! Book & Info
  • Full day Toledo Visiting Toledo is to get to know the history of our country. The so-called "city of the three cultures" , gathers artistic and architectural jewels of Christianity, Judaism and Muslim culture. Book & Info
  • Avila + Segovia, Full day Tour Free Walking Tours Madrid, together with our partner company VPT, propose a full day tour to Avila and Segovia. A magnificent full day tour in which you will get to know two World Heritage Cities. Book & Info
  • Escorial and Valle de los Caídos Visit San Lorenzo de El Escorial and enjoy the spectacular views from the Valle de los Caídos, all accompanied by our expert guide. Book & Info

Private tours in Madrid

Private Tours

With private tours we can adapt to your needs, with the duration and travel you prefer; a great option for groups of students, corporate events or simply to live a more personalized experience in Madrid.

We believe that everyone has the right to a quality tour regardless of their budget. At the end of the free tour you are the ones who can value the service.

We work with experienced guides, respectful with the city and passionate about transmitting the best stories and corners of the city.

With more than 5 years of experience and a thousand positive comments on the internet, we continue to strive to provide the best service to travelers from all over the world.

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Our Free Walking Tours Madrid Guides

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A fabulous way to explore the city!

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  1. A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain

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  3. The 5 Best FREE Walking Tours in Madrid you won't want to miss

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  4. Walking Tour Madrid: Self-Guided Walk to 10 Sights of Madrid

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COMMENTS

  1. THE 10 BEST Madrid Walking Tours (Updated 2024)

    Enter dates. Mar 19, 2024 - Whether you are a local or a tourist, get to know the area even better while on foot with the best Madrid walking tours on Tripadvisor. Read the reviews of your fellow travelers and book top-rated walking tours in Madrid for 2024.

  2. THE BEST 10 Madrid Walking Tours (w/Prices)

    A: The best Walking Tours in Madrid according to Viator travelers are: Madrid Walking Tour and The Royal Palace Skip the Line Ticket. Madrid Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour. Madrid Essential: Historic Center, Plaza Mayor & Royal Palace. Prado Museum & Madrid Royal Palace Guided Tour with Skip the Line.

  3. Free walking Tour Madrid: Free booking without credit card.

    MADRID FREE ENGLISH WALKING TOUR Aurélien 18 Feb 2024 Nantes Verified booking Travelled in couple - Feb 2024 Really good tour, very interesting and fun! Thank you Osmel 🎭Full Madrid with Artista Tours!🎭 Mikhail 24 Dec 2023 Danville Verified booking Travelled in group - Dec 2023

  4. Best 5 Free walking tours in Madrid

    Some of the tourist attractions you will discover on this free walking tour in Madrid are Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, the 9th-century Moorish wall, and the Plaza de Oriente. Sebastian was an excellent tour guide! We learned so much and got to see so many interesting parts of Madrid. Highly recommend.

  5. Free Walking Tours Madrid

    This post covers free walking tours in Madrid, including outings that cover the historic district, the best-kept secrets of the city, and even a look at the city after dark. ... This pay-what-you-wish tour is available in both English and Spanish twice a day at 10:00 am, 10:30 am, 11:00 am, 11:30 am and 17:00 (5 pm) on every day.

  6. Top 10 walking tours in Madrid in 2024

    Night Walking Tour to Madrid´s Old Centre. 4.2/5 - 114 view tour. 17€. 15€. Meet on this guided tour at night the charm and magic of the squares, buildings, streets and historic shops of Habsburg Madrid. Free cancellation: up to 24 hours in advance. Languages: Days of the tour: Tuesdays and Thursdays. Duration: 2,5 hours.

  7. The Best Walking Tours In Madrid

    Free Walking Tours offers tours in English and Spanish leaving every day from Plaza de Callao, just off the Gran Vía, at 11am.The guides are fun and informative, mixing historical tales with fun factual nuggets along the way. During the two-and-a-half hour tour you'll learn about everything from Miguel de Cervantes to the Movida Madrileña, the indie, counter-cultural movement that ...

  8. SANDEMANs Madrid

    Enjoy authentic local experiences. Madrid is part of the SANDEMANs NEW Europe network, one of the largest walking tour companies in the world. Offering daily tours in English and Spanish, we believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of Madrid's best local freelance tour guides, who passionately share ...

  9. The Best Walking Tours in Madrid

    Tours from 20 EUR per person. Book your tour with Cool Tour Spain here! 6. Walk Eat Spain. Margaret and Amy, two long-time American expats in Madrid, lead fun walking tours in Madrid. You stop, eat, get an explanation about the dish and history of the place, and then walk it off until your next stop.

  10. OgoTours

    In 2013 we decided to start OgoTours, a walking tour company specialized in Madrid. This project would change our lives forever. Time has flown by since OgoTours started but we are proud to continue being a 100% local business. This is the backbone of our company. Being a family-run business give us a special relationship with the city and ...

  11. Madrid: Old Town Guided Walking Tour

    Full description. Visit Madrid's major sights on a guided walking tour of the historical center. Visit the Plaza de España, admire the Royal Palace, take a walk down Calle Mayor, and more. Meet your guide in the historical quarter and begin your tour of some of the top local sights. Visit the Templo de Debod, a 2200 year-old Egyptian temple ...

  12. Madrid Walking Tours

    Discover these spots in our walking tours of Madrid. Royal Palace. The stunning Royal Palace, or Palacio Real in Spanish, is probably one of the most important stops of our walking tours in Madrid. ... Plaza Mayor, translated in English as "main square," is the most famous square of the city and is located in one of its oldest areas.

  13. Madrid: Welcome to Madrid Guided Walking Tour

    Water. Weather-appropriate clothing. Know before you go. This tour takes place rain or shine. It is recommended that you take this tour early in your trip, as your guide provides a lot of recommendations on what to do and see during your stay. Save up to 15%. From $29.96 $25.47 per person.

  14. Home

    All tours are led by friendly, English-speaking official guides of Madrid and Art Historians. Browse & Book. PRIVATE WALKING TOURS. Our private walking tours are for travelers who aspire to know Madrid more profoundly. We venture off the beaten path of typical 'Tapas Tours' and 'Free Tours' in the Central District to show you the ...

  15. The BEST Madrid Walking tours 2024

    Our most recommended Madrid Walking tours. 1. Madrid: Tour Bernabéu Entry Ticket. Immerse yourself in the history of the Real Madrid football team in the Bernabéu Stadium museum. Tour exclusive areas, and learn all about Real Madrid's legendary players and football glory. Start your adventure with a panoramic view of the stadium, giving you ...

  16. Madrid Self-Guided Walking Tour (With Map): PERFECT for First Timers

    Offering breakfast options from €1, it makes the perfect breakfast spot to start your second day of our Madrid self-guided walking tour. The breakfast set of Pan con Tomate (crushed tomato toast with olive oil), jamon toast and coffee is an excellent choice for only €1.90 Throw in a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice for €2 and you ...

  17. THE 10 BEST Madrid Walking Tours (Updated 2024)

    Walking Tours Photos. 20,947. Mar 3, 2024 - Whether you are a local or a tourist, get to know the area even better while on foot with the best Madrid walking tours on Tripadvisor. Read the reviews of your fellow travelers and book top-rated walking tours in Madrid for 2024.

  18. Madrid Small-Group Walking Tour with Royal Palace Visit (Mar 2024)

    Community of Madrid. Centro, 28013, Madrid, Spain. Open in Google Maps. C/ SAN NICOLÁS, 15 (junto a la Plaza de Ramales) Days of Operation: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday Madrid Highlights: 3 hours approx. Visit Royal Palace: 1 hour 30 min approx. NOT OPERATING: Oct 4 and 6, Dec 25, Jan 1, Others to be confirmed.

  19. 2024 Madrid Best Walking Tour provided by Best Madrid Tours

    Madrid Walking Tour at Sunset with Optional Flamenco Show. 7. Private and Luxury. from. $18.86. per adult (price varies by group size) Royal Palace of Madrid Early Entrance Tour Skip-The-Line Ticket. 180. Historical Tours.

  20. Madrid Walking Tour "Best Insider" (Tapas Optional)

    Walking Tour Madrid; For Groups; English; Spanish; French; German; Dutch; Other languages on request; Madrid Walking Tour (Tapas Optional) Every day at 18 h. Book online now! If you are more comfortable exploring by foot than on a bike, this walking tour is perfect for you. It takes around 2-3 hrs hours, during which time your knowledgeable ...

  21. Free Tours in Madrid, Spain

    Free Walking Tour: Madrid Essentials and Old Town (Austrias) Provided by Trip Tours Madrid. Rating: 9.6. (Reviews: 2099) from €0 Tip based. On this amazing Free Walking Tour of Madrid guided by expert local guides you'll discover every important fact and visit the most emblematic monuments of the Spanish capital. Languages.

  22. Free Walking Tours Madrid

    Visiting Toledo is to get to know the history of our country. The so-called "city of the three cultures", gathers artistic and architectural jewels of Christianity, Judaism and Muslim culture. Book & Info. Avila + Segovia, Full day Tour. Free Walking Tours Madrid, together with our partner company VPT, propose a full day tour to Avila and Segovia.

  23. Madrid Historical Centre Scavenger Hunt: A Self-Guided Walking Tour

    Embark on a self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt in Madrid's Historical Centre. Solve riddles, discover hidden gems, and explore the city at your own pace. ... Savour the tour in Spanish, English, French, German. Location. Centro de Turismo Sol Puerta del Sol Open the Explorial app to start the activity.

  24. Madrid: City Walking Tour & Royal Palace Skip-the-Line Tour

    15 Santiago de Compostela. 16 San Sebastián. 17 Salou. 18 Jerez de la Frontera. 19 Dénia. 20 Roses, Spain. Get to know Madrid on a walking tour with a guide, followed by a skip-the-line guided tour of the Royal Palace. See highlights like Plaza Mayor and San Miguel market, as well as the impressive palace.