Maybe it’s the bright sunshine that lights up the city’s majestic plazas for most of the year – even in winter – but Madrid always seems to have that feel-good factor.
Some visit Spain’s capital for its three world-class art museums – the Prado, the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen – but most simply come for the exceptional food, great boutique shopping and vibrant nightlife. Indeed, there are few world capitals where it’s so easy to slip into the local way of life.
This is one place where even the best-laid sightseeing plans are likely to go astray.
Orientation
Puerta del Sol marks the centre of Madrid, and is the main orientation point. Immediately west of here lies the old centre, known as Madrid de Los Austrias and packed with tapas bars and pavement cafés. Just east of Puerta del Sol, the major museums are strung out along Paseo del Prado, between Retiro Park and Plaza Santa Ana.
North of Retiro Park lies the hip and prestigious Salamanca district. Head up to the roof at the Circulo de Bellas Artes cultural centre for a wraparound view of the city.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers
Tour "Madrid de los Austrias" ❤️ Old Town
Madrid
Come with us to discover the most interesting secrets and anecdotes of Madrid! With our "Madrid de los Austrias" tour, we will walk through the streets of the historic center and we will get to know the most emblematic places of the city. But that's not all: we'll also discover some of Madrid's best-kept secrets and tell you surprising anecdotes that will leave you wanting more.
Art and culture have a prominent place in the life of the city and the kindness, smile and hospitality of the people will make you feel part of Madrid. Our expert guides will take you by the hand and show you the most interesting corners of the city.
Ready to start this adventure? Look for the yellow umbrella, our identification seal, and you will find our Trip Tours guides. We are waiting for you to start together!
Madrid Walking Tour at Sunset with Optional Flamenco Show
Madrid
Visit the fascinating city of Madrid at sunset with its beautiful lights on this walking tour where you can enjoy a different way to appreciate the city! Learn about the history, the culture and the lifestyle of Madrid with a local guide.
Madrid Barajas Airport Private Transfer To Madrid City
Madrid
Make your reservation with confidence and know the details of your driver and your vehicle, just when you disembark from the plane, before collecting your luggage.
Do not worry about delays or advancements, your driver will be waiting for you.
Know the points of interest that are close to your accommodation.
Enjoy the comments that your driver will make about what they can see during your transfer.
Our 3 hour ride visits several of the city’s major landmarks, from the Plaza Mayor to the Almudena Cathedral next to the Royal Palace, and even charming neighborhoods like La Latina or Barrio de Las Letras. Cycling through the historic city centre you can take in some off the beaten track gems and great pieces of street art. With insightful commentary from your guide you’ll come away with a wealth of information about this wonderful city. Families with younger kids may be better off on our Parks Tour as there’s less traffic or book a Private Tour.
Includes:
- Bike rental with handlebar bag for storing personal items, helmet (optional)
- English-speaking bilingual guide who will take pictures of you along the way so you don’t have to fuss with your camera*
*the pictures are for your personal use only, and will not be used by us in any manner
Collect moments instead of things!
Sol Tours Madrid is a company of young entrepreneurs with great fascination for the tourist service. Our empathy, fun tours and preferential treatment make us stand out from the rest.
Join our fascinating tours where you will learn and get to know Madrid in the most fun way and let yourself be seduced by the stories that every corner of this beautiful city keeps.
Nothing better than touring the city with an expert guide, letting you know those corners where you can taste typical dishes, historical places and monuments, etc.
Know, Live, Enjoy!
and olé!!
Make your reservation NOW!
Note: This is NOT a private tour. You will be together with other people from free tour groups
The "Best of Madrid" guided bike tour offers you the oportunity to have a nice, paceful and easy ride along the city of Madrid with the company of other travellers and our expert local guide.
In this 3 hours bike tour, we will visit the most iconic areas if Madrid and the beautiful hided places.
We will have the chance to breath the admosphere in an authenic local market, having the oportunity to enjoy some real spanish tapas.
You will feel like doing what locals do, with the company of a real local guide who knows the city like the back of his hand
3 hrs highlights bike tour Madrid (optional electric)
Madrid
This tour is ideal for everyone who wants to get to know Madrid in a short time but in a relaxed way. In about 3 hours and 12 km biking, you will more or less see and hear everything of the old center while riding a very comfortable bicycle. The “must see” places as well as the hidden corners away from the typical touristic paths.
You will ride mainly on cycling paths, pedestrian zones and parks. Of course there will be various stops to take photos and halfway you have a break. if you choose the tapas option, you will get 3 tapas and 1 drink.
The guide will tell his personal experiences of Madrid.
After the tour you have an idea which places you want to visit in your own time and in which restaurants and tapas bars you want to have your meal.
You are inspired for the rest of your time in Madrid.
Explore the heart of Madrid by eco-friendly Segway on a fun 1-hour tour of the medieval center. Pass notable sights, such as the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, and Plaza Mayor, all from the safety and comfort of a self-balancing, 2-wheel vehicle.
Explore Madrid's most emblematic monuments on a Segway tour. After a brief training by an experienced guide, you're off to slide through the city highlights. Select from an Essential Madrid (60 minutes), Downtown Madrid (90 minutes) or a Madrid with a tapa (150 minutes) tour. Three itineraries full of history and lots of fun!
Private Segway Tour with Flexible Duration in Madrid
Madrid
Explore the Old Madrid or the New Madrid or both on top of a Segway! Discover all the highlights and more alongside your knowledgeable local guide and make the best of your stay in the city!
See the impressive sights of Spain’s beguiling capital from a unique perspective on a 3-hour bike tour of Madrid. Cruise past legendary landmarks like the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor and stop intermittently to hear fascinating facts and historical anecdotes from your expert guide. Capture photographs of monuments like Retiro Park and the Puerta del Sol, during regular breaks. This tour is perfect for all cycling abilities and only a moderate level of fitness is required. See Madrid from the ground up on a 3-hour bike tour with a local guide.Discover off-the-beaten-path sites like the Egyptian Templo de Debod and St Ann´s Square. Refreshment in the lovely Retiro Park included.Small-group tour limited to 15 people
Madrid Fun and Sightseeing Bike tour 3 hours-Love Madrid
Madrid
3 hours on a Bike to get into the historical essence of Madrid!
Know on the spot the evolution of the most powerful empire in the XV and XVI century, and visit the places where the Visigoth culture still remains; all this on one of the means of transportation that is spreading the most nowadays: Bicycles (electric or regular).
Travelers looking for a fun and easy overview of Madrid will love this tour that passes many Madrid must-sees like the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum, among others.
Did you know Madrid is the greenest capital in Europe? For 3 hours we’ll explore the Parque del Oeste, the Manzanares River, and Casa de Campo - one of the largest public parks in the world - all on cycle paths. Our guides will talk you through the parks’ history, from beginnings as royal hunting grounds, to use as a front line during the Spanish Civil War. You’ll also visit the resting place of a legendary Spanish artist and see an impressive church with ceilings painted by him. This tour is great for kids as it doesn’t cross the city centre or use roads.
Includes:
- Bike rental with handlebar bag for storing personal items, helmet
- English-speaking bilingual guide who will take pictures of you along the way so you don’t have to fuss with your camera*
*the pictures are for your personal use only, and will not be used by us in any manner
Madrid Walking Tour and The Royal Palace Skip the Line Tickets
Madrid
The tour starts at the door of the Fun and Tickets office at Calle Mayor, 43 with a guided tour on the way to the Royal Palace. The tour includes the visit of the Royal Palace of Madrid with official guides and Skip the line.
Take a trip through Madrid history on a comfortable electric bike with pedal assist that will take you to see the the most important attractions of the city center.
Enjoy a different ride assisted by the motor of your electric bike so that fatigue is not an impediment to enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in the world, stroll through the narrow streets of the "Madrid de los Austrias" and enjoy Of the views of the Royal Palace and the pure air of the parks of Madrid
Enjoy the highly popular Retiro Park on this 1.5-hour Segway Tour. Start with 2-3 min training on the segway, you'll visit one of the most beautiful parks in Madrid, and its wonderful monuments.
Take a trip through Madrid history on a futuristic Segway personal transporter. The 1h30
sightseeing tour will take you to see the city’s attractions, from the Almudena Cathedral to the Palacio Real, and Templo de Debod
Madrid in Electric Bike: Highlights & Parks Small Group Tour
Madrid
Join this essential 3.5-hour tour of Madrid, accompanied by our official professional guide and don’t miss out on any of its cultural and historical highlights.
Enjoy an effortless route on one of our agile and dynamic light bicycles. We have one of the best bikes in Madrid. On the City & Parks route, we will cover the center of Madrid, from Retiro park to Casa de Campo park, the city's true lungs, and we will also be able to effortlessly visit and explore emblematic sites on this guided route such as the Royal Palace,
Madrid's main square - Plaza Mayor, the Prado Museum and Madrid Rio.
Have fun and feel unique in your experience in a Premium Small Group tour, delight yourself with our WE farewell.
Travel from Madrid Airport to your Madrid city hotel. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is a private transfer service so the price is the same for groups of:
Our 3-hour guided cycle tour, morning or afternoon, takes you to all Madrid's iconic sites and you may opt for the regular, or a private tour. Departing from our offices located only 3 minutes ride from Madrid's newest and most impressive urban redevelopment scheme, linking, in an entirely traffic-free pedestrian precinct with dedicated cycling lanes, the Plaza de Espana with the Senate House, Royal Palace, Plaza del Oriente, Royal Opera House, and Almudena Cathedral, we continue on cycle lanes to the Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Prado Museum and the Retiro Park and many other historical sites.
Cycling through the historic city centre you can take in some off the beaten track gems and great pieces of street art. We’ll appreciate the lovely atmosphere of the city, like true madrileños, and you can enjoy your leisurely bike ride in total relaxation and safety. Families with younger kids may consider booking a Private Tour or our Parks and River tour as there’s much less traffic.
Taxi2Spain offers the best service, through its easy, quick and safe way to book a taxi 365 days a year, we can transfer you to and from the airport in a punctual and uncomplicated way.
Our drivers are in perfect condition, and adapt to your number of passengers and volume of luggage so you can enjoy your transfer comfortably. Our door-to-door service is personalized. There will always be a driver identified with the company logo who will be carrying a nameplate with your name and who will be waiting for you so you can feel protected and safe.
Given that we are an experienced company, you won’t have to worry about advanced landings or delays, as we will have all of your airline’s information, and will wait for you for up to 45 minutes at the airport with no extra charge.
Our customer service is always open, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide you will all the information you need to clear up any doubt you may have, while keeping in touch at all times.
To be safe is to be calm.
On this 2 hour walking tour you will stroll down through the core of medieval Madrid accompanied by a guide. The winding streets of the Arch of Cutlers will lead you to some of the oldest buildings such as the house and tower of Lujanes where the King Francois I of France was held prisoner. You are offered several options to end the tour, combined with a visit to El Prado Museum, the Royal Palace, a traditional Flamenco show, or with some Spanish delicious tapas.
Eco Tuk Tuk offers you a 120-minute trip through the city of Madrid. A contact with the capital of Spain in which you will be able to see the most relevant areas of the city and discover its secrets. It is a perfect way to get a broad idea of everything you can enjoy in the city on your travel days.
Discover Madrid in the most comfortable and fun way with this 180-minute Eco Tuk Tuk tour. Do not leave anything to see in the big city, discover in a single trip the Madrid of a lifetime and also the most modern and commercial. We will take the best photographs you will take on the trip.
Turn your stay in Madrid into an unforgettable experience and take home great memories of this wonderful city!
Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Madrid Private Walking Tour
Madrid
This is not just another city tour; this is the best of Madrid from a unique perspective! Get to know Madrid on a city tour that gives you the perfect overview, with city highlights, hidden gems, storytelling, and a local treat - this tour has it all!
Forget about big touristy groups and the crowds; it's time to see Madrid at its best but from the eyes of a local. Check out main landmarks like The Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and uncover hidden gems and city secrets with the help of a knowledgeable local guide. And the cherry on top, a local treat is included.
Withlocals Highlights & Hidden Gems Private City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.
Madrid Historical Walking Tour with Food Tasting and Dinner
Madrid
Delve into Spanish history and culture on this 3.5 hour Madrid historical walking tour with food tasting and dinner. Stroll through the winding centuries-old streets of Madrid’s city center while your guide illuminates the history of highlights such as Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, and Puerta del Sol. Along the way, stop at some of Madrid’s most popular family-run tapas bars to sample the local specialty, paired with Spanish wine, sangria, and liquor.
Madrid The Old City Guided Walking Tour - Private Tour
Madrid
Stroll the streets and squares of the Spanish capital on this 2.5 hour private guided walking tour, discovering the secrets of Madrid’s old city. Your guide will lead you through the most iconic locations in Madrid, peeling back the history and characters that have marked them over the centuries.
The historic tour in Vintage is a different experience because it takes place in a unique car in the world, designed to give the customer a service that is at the maximum care, full of comfort and glamor. The explanations during the tour provide interesting information and anecdotes that will make the tour more enjoyable. The customer can choose between carrying the unpacked car or carrying the transparent hood closed.
Half-Day Madrid History and Legends Private Walking Tour with Hotel Pick Up
Madrid
Fully Customizable 4-hour, private walking tour according to your preference. Your private guide is a native and local, professional guide with excellent reviews and years of experience in running customizable and on-the spot adaptable tours. He or she will walk you with you the streets of the historical parts of the capital, providing the historical and cultural insights. You will go back in time and will make connections to the present, will discuss the intricacies of the Spanish culture from the kings to the commoners across the centuries. Get insights from local guide that loves his city, knows its history and is willing to share the knowledge of its social and cultural life. By the end of the tour you will feel like a local yourself, having learned about the Spanish capital from inside.
At the end of the tour you will make a stop to refresh yourself with beverages and tapas.
Madrid Custom Private Tour with Optional Prado Museum Skip the Line Ticket
Madrid
A guided tour inside the Prado Museum, a visit to Palacio Real, Europe's largest palace, and a stroll in the shaded park of the Spanish royal family. With this custom tour, you pick what you want. As you join a born-and-raised local, you make the most of all that Madrid has to offer. You tell your guide ahead of time what you want to see and we pre-plan your perfect day in Madrid – complete with complimentary transportation. This way, you can absorb the city as soon as your guide picks you up at your hotel. Treat yourself to an exciting local perspective tailored to your interests. Whether you like history, art, food, or anything else, your guide will help you make the most of your time in Madrid.
Enjoy this 3-hour private walking tour and discover the essential history and secrets of Madrid. A local guide will be with you to show you the best of the main city center, from the Habsburgs neighborhood to the Bourbons. Tour is also wheelchair accessible and perfect for all ages.
We will take you down the shiny streets of the old town and also show you the secrets in every corner where Madrileños hide from the rest of the world. You will then learn all the stories which cannot be found in Google and which will show you why we enjoy life as no other country does in the rest of the world.
Our objective is to tell you the history, culture and traditions from a local perspective . You will entertain with our secrets , as you will go back and forth between the present and the past .
Madrid is at its best in spring and autumn, when the sun usually shines and temperatures range from around 18°C to 25°C – ideal weather for eating out and late-night drinks at pavement cafés. Many locals escape to the coast during July and August, when it becomes uncomfortably hot, even at night. On the plus side, there’s less pollution and some great street festivals. Many shops and restaurants close for at least a fortnight during this period.
Owing to Madrid’s altitude, winter is colder than you might expect, but the city’s cultural scene stays in full swing.
Getting there and away
Barajas International Airport is 12km from the city centre. Taxis are the quickest way into the centre – though traffic is often heavy, so allow 20-30 minutes to get to a downtown location. It takes about an hour to get to the centre by metro: at Nuevos Ministerios, change to Line 10 for the two main stations, Gran Via and Sol. The 24-hour bus service takes about 40 minutes, with stops at Plaza de Cibeles and Atocha station.
Getting around
You can walk between most of the major museums, shopping and nightlife areas. Madrid’s metro and buses are efficient and easy to use, but they’re often packed and pickpocketing is common. Taxis are plentiful and reasonably priced. There’s no need for a car in the centre and parking is difficult – there’s a strictly enforced pay-and-display system for street parking. If you insist on hiring a car, book a hotel with a garage.
Where to stay
Plaza Santa Ana is a great area to stay for a first visit, as it’s near the major museums and the shopping area around Puerta del Sol – it’s also packed with tapas bars and restaurants. There are a lot of hotels along the Gran Via – which is also handy for sights and shops – but it’s rather brash and not as atmospheric as Plaza Santa Ana.
The Salamanca area is more upmarket, less frenetic and will suit luxury shoppers. The upper part of the Paseo de la Castellana is more suitable for business trips.
Where to eat or drink
Plaza Santa Ana and the surrounding streets are good for tapas bars and live music. Malasaña is lively too, with dozens of bars and restaurants. Chueca is the main gay area, but certainly not exclusively so, and is packed with bars and cafés. Los Austrias, particularly along Cava Baja, is also excellent for tapas and bars. Restaurants and bars in and around the Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor tend to be touristy, and best avoided.
Where to shop
High-street shops are packed around Calle Preciados, Puerta del Sol and Gran Via. The old centre (Los Austrias) has the most traditional shops. Find designer boutiques in Salamanca and in the grid formed by Serrano, Jorge Juan, Ortega y Gasset and Velázquez. Some of Spain’s most interesting designers are in the Salesas area, around Almirante and Conde de Xiquena. Fuencarral is lined with funky shops, and Malasana and Triball are sprouting cool new boutiques.
Madrid is a great shopping destination for shoes, bags, clothes, Spanish wines and gourmet foods such as Iberico ham and artisan cheeses.
The Madrid Card
The Madrid Card gives free or discounted access and priority entrance to more than 50 museums and attractions, plus discounts at various shops and restaurants, so it’s worth a look if you plan to see a handful of museums.