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 in it. 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 through the essential places of the center of Madrid: 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 of Madrid's history.

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This is one of the most original Madrid ghost tours available. When you make your reservation online you receive the instructions to access through your phone to a series of recordings that tell you spooky stories set in different parts of the center of Madrid. You can do the tour whenever you want and at your own pace; the route is marked and the recordings are dramatized by actors.

You will be surprised by the amount of legends about paranormal phenomena that Madrid has; if you have never heard of ghost stories like those of Goyito or Maria in this tour you will discover them.

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Not everything in Madrid are stories and famous people. Gastronomic culture is as much a part of this city as Kilometer Zero or Cibeles. This tapas tour is designed for you to taste 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 "guiris" bars but those where the locals usually go.

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

The two-hour tour is focused on this dark historical period and therefore chooses the places in medieval Madrid that were most relevant during the Spanish Inquisition in Madrid. It starts and ends at the Plaza Mayor and from there the walking tour of the Madrid of the Inquisition goes through points of interest such as the Palace of the Incarnation, the Plaza de Santo Domingo where the dungeons of the Holy Office were located or 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 is why this tour combines the tour of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium (ticket included, but not to attend a match).

The Bernabeu 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, historical 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 take in more points of interest thanks to the tour of Madrid by bike (whose rental is included in the price) and without having to give up 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 will enjoy a flamenco show in a traditional tablao, where you will 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 learn about 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 tour 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 through 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 will visit some of the most popular bars and nightclubs, enjoying the best atmosphere of the city.

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

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Still leaving the center, this tour moves away from the more historical Madrid to focus more on the cultural Madrid of the Barrio de las Letras and the so-called Paseo del Arte (along which are several of the main museums of the city). 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 a few meters from Puerta del Sol and you will know it by the literary inscriptions that you will see engraved on the road along it. It is known for being the neighborhood where famous 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 or Cervantes. The Spanish Golden Age ( so called because of the flourishing of letters and arts) is the protagonist of the tour.

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Book in advance

For an optimal experience, all guided tours in Madrid have a certain number of places. When you know the day and time you want to do 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 locate these two places or any other place where the tour takes place. The best way to get around in Madrid is the metro as it connects practically every corner of the city quickly and easily.

Schedules and dates

The tours are usually available throughout the year, although not every day of the week (you will see the specific times before booking). On when to do them: eliminate from your mind the months of July and August when the temperatures in the capital can reach 40 degrees Celsius. Autumn and spring will be 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 the essential elements for this type of tours. Keep in mind that it can get very hot in Madrid and it is best to wear loose clothing and protect yourself not only with a hat but also with sunscreen if you travel to the Spanish capital in the warmer months. The longer tours have a stop in the middle; bring something loose in case you want to recharge your batteries 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 Theater or the Almudena Cathedral (in the latter case you can enter for free, but you may not have time during the tour).

Surely, many of these places will capture your attention and you will want to visit them more thoroughly. I recommend that you look into guided tours of the most famous monuments and buildings in the capital. 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 to know, 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 liked the experience of a guided tour of Madrid, I recommend you to try a guided tour to other cities within walking distance of the capital, with 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 directly to my favorites, Segovia and Toledo are, in my opinion, the most attractive. I leave you here the guides to organize 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 move around the different points of interest without missing its wonderful views while you take a break from the long walks. Check here how it works: Madrid Hop-On Hop-Off Buses.