12 Best Tours in Madrid

The history of Madrid is not only its buildings and streets; the history of Madrid is its people and the events that took place there. From this I can assure you that there is a lot to learn and the best way to do it are the guided tours around the city.

This historical tour of Madrid and its old town will take you to the essential places in the centre of Madrid: to get to know the Madrid of the Austrias, the Almudena Cathedral and the most iconic squares and streets of the capital. During the approximately two and a half hour tour, your guide will tell you stories and details about the buildings and historical figures who have played a key role in Madrid's history.

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This is one of the most original Madrid ghost tours available. When you book online you receive instructions on how to access a series of recordings on your phone that tell spooky stories set in different locations in the centre of Madrid. You can take the tour at your own time and pace; the route is marked and the recordings are dramatised by actors.

You will be surprised by the number of legends about paranormal phenomena that Madrid has; if you have never heard of ghost stories such as those of Goyito or María, you will discover them on this tour.

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Madrid is not all about stories and famous people. Gastronomic culture is as much a part of this city as Kilometre Zero or Cibeles. This tapas tour is designed for you to try several wines and up to 12 different tapas while strolling through the capital.

The tour lasts three hours. As it is a small group tour, you will enjoy the company of the local guide who will not show you the so-called "tourist bars" but the ones that locals usually go to.

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An important (and unpleasant) period in the history of Spain was the Inquisition and Madrid was one of the main scenes of this massacre. We must always remember the past in order to try to learn from our mistakes as a society and that is why this tour is not only popular with visitors to Madrid but also with those who live in the city.

The two hour tour focuses on this dark period of history and therefore chooses the places in medieval Madrid that were most relevant during the Spanish Inquisition in Madrid. It starts and ends in the Plaza Mayor and from there the walking tour of the Madrid of the Inquisition takes in points of interest such as the Palacio de la Encarnación, the Plaza de Santo Domingo where the dungeons of the Holy Office were located and the Plaza de la Cruz Verde where the impious were executed.

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If you ask someone outside Spain what they know about the city of Madrid, there is a high percentage of chances that they will name Real Madrid and some of its players. This football club is an emblem of the city and that's why this tour combines a tour of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium (ticket included, but not to attend a match).

The Bernabéu Tour is a unique experience to discover the history and greatness of Real Madrid from the inside. During the tour, you will have access to exclusive areas of the stadium, starting with a panoramic view of the Santiago Bernabéu from the stands. In the interactive museum, you will relive the club's most glorious moments through digital exhibits, historic videos and an impressive collection of trophies.

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The size of the city of Madrid makes walking around it possible but quite tiring; on the other hand, the city has many areas adapted for cycling. This tour allows you to see more points of interest thanks to the bike tour of Madrid (rental included in the price) and without having to renounce to the advice of a specialized guide.

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Experience an unforgettable night in Madrid combining the best of its culture and gastronomy. With this private tour, you will visit some of the most authentic bars in the city to taste delicious tapas and wines selected by an expert guide.

Afterwards, you'll enjoy a flamenco show in a traditional tablao, where you'll feel the passion and strength of this art form declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. To enjoy this unique experience, you can book the tapas and flamenco tour in Madrid and discover the essence of the city through its music and cuisine.

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The Retiro Park is one of the most beautiful corners of Madrid and this guided tour will allow you to discover its history, monuments and hidden secrets. Accompanied by an expert guide, you will walk along its paths, discover the impressive Crystal Palace and learn about the history of the Great Pond.

If you want to discover this World Heritage Site in more detail, the guided tour of the Retiro will allow you to delve into its historic gardens and learn about its fascinating past.

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If you want to explore Madrid in a comfortable and original way, this tuk tuk tour is the best option. Accompanied by a local guide, you will enjoy a ride around the main monuments of the city while you learn about its history and curiosities.

The tuk tuk tour of Madrid is ideal for those who are looking for a relaxed and fun tour without giving up the most emblematic places, from the Royal Palace to the lively Plaza Mayor.

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Discover the lively nightlife of the capital with this pub crawl in Madrid. Accompanied by a guide, you'll visit some of the most popular bars and clubs, enjoying the best atmosphere in the city.

If you want to get to know Madrid's nightlife without worrying about planning, the Madrid pub crawl will give you access to several venues with discounts on drinks and the best company.

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Still leaving the centre, this tour moves away from the more historical Madrid and focuses more on the cultural Madrid of the Barrio de las Letras and the so-called Paseo del Arte (along which several of the city's main museums are located). For two hours a local guide will explain the secrets of 20th century architecture, the Bourbon dynasty and the literature of the Golden Age.

This tour of majestic Madrid is especially recommended for lovers of art and literature, but anyone can enjoy it as the explanations of the local guide who leads the tour are completely accessible to the general public.

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of the tour

The Barrio de las Letras is located just a few metres from Puerta del Sol and you will know it by the literary inscriptions that you will see engraved on the pavement along its length. It is known for being the neighbourhood where illustrious Spanish literary figures lived and today it is also one of the most lively areas of the capital.

During this two-hour tour of the Barrio de las Letras in Spanish, your guide will tell you about the anecdotes and character of figures such as Valle-Inclán (I recommend reading 'Luces de Bohemia' before the tour), Lope de Vega and Cervantes. The Spanish Golden Age ( so called because of the flourishing of the arts and literature) is the protagonist of the tour.

Itinerary on foot

Book in advance

For the best experience, all guided tours of Madrid have a certain number of places available. Once you know the day and time you want to take the tour you can book your place online and then you will be sent information via email with everything you need to know about the tour or the meeting point with your guide.

Meeting point

The main meeting points for these tours are usually either Puerta del Sol or Plaza Mayor. Regardless of where you are staying in Madrid it will be easy to find these two places or any other place where the tour takes place. The best way to get around Madrid is by metro as it connects practically every corner of the city quickly and easily.

Timetables and dates

Tours are usually available all year round, although not every day of the week (you will see the specific times before booking). On when to do them: put the months of July and August out of your mind when temperatures in the capital can soar into the 40s. Autumn and spring are the best times to enjoy these walks, as in winter there can be rainy seasons in Madrid.

What to bring

Comfortable shoes and water are essential for this type of walk. Bear in mind that it can get very hot in Madrid and it's best to wear loose-fitting clothes and protect yourself not only with a hat but also with sun cream if you're travelling to the Spanish capital in the warmer months. The longer tours have a stop in the middle; bring something to eat in case you want to refuel with a coffee.

During the different tours of Madrid you will see places whose entrance is not included in the tour, such as the Royal Palace, the Royal Theatre or the Almudena Cathedral (in the latter case you can enter for free, but you may not have time during the tour).

Many of these places will probably catch your attention and you will want to visit them in more depth. I recommend that you look into guided tours of the capital's most famous monuments and buildings. Among all of them, the most worthwhile in my opinion is the one to the Royal Palace; you can read more about it in my article: Royal Palace of Madrid Tickets and Tours.

Madrid has a lot to see and learn about, but its geographical location also allows you to take advantage of a visit to the city to visit other nearby places such as Segovia or Toledo. If you enjoyed the experience of a guided tour of Madrid, I recommend that you try a guided excursion to other cities that are just a short distance from the capital and have stories and mysteries to discover. You can read more about the excursions available from Madrid here: 7 Best Day Trips from Madrid.

If you want to go straight to my favourites, Segovia and Toledo are, in my opinion, the most attractive. Here are the guides to help you organise your visit: 3 Best Day Trips to Segovia from Madrid y 4 Best Day Trips to Toledo from Madrid.

If, on the other hand, you prefer to make the most of the city, the Madrid tourist bus is highly recommended: it allows you to get around the different points of interest without missing out on the marvellous views while you take a break from the long walks. Check here how it works: Madrid Hop-On Hop-Off Buses.