Tour Details
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Prado Museum
- Plaza Mayor
- Puerta del Sol
- Royal Palace of Madrid (exterior)
- Madrid de los Austrias
Photos & Highlights
- A comprehensive view into the history and culture of Madrid for first-time or returning visitors
- Led by a expert local guide or scholar
Select a date
Tour Description
Enjoy a full-day tour through breathtaking and elegant Madrid, Spain’s central capital. In the company of an expert historian, you will visit some of the city’s most famous sites and attractions. You’ll experience the layers of history across Moorish architecture to key architecture, stopping by the Prado Museum, the beautiful Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, and Madrid de los Austrias. This tour is a perfect way for any traveler to delve into the rich history and culture of Madrid, visiting the city’s best sites in the company of an expert.
- Prado Museum
- Plaza Mayor
- Puerta del Sol
- San Miguel Market
- Royal Palace of Madrid (Exterior only)
- 7-hour private tour with a Ph.D. or MA-level historian
- Skip-the-line tickets to the Prado Museum
Our day of adventure in the Spanish capital begins in a small and charming cafe in the central district of Madrid. We’ll start with a short briefing on the city and area before starting our day ahead. You’ll learn about the former Arabic and Moorish roots and layers of fascinating history which are often still visible when walking around. Your expert guide will continue tracing the history of the city, moving from the Spanish monarchy to the French Occupation, Civil War, and the subsequent Franco dictatorship in the 20th century.
We will explore the medieval core and the major public space in the heart of Madrid at Plaza Mayor, which was once the centre of Old Madrid. Next, we’ll make a stop at the local San Miguel Market, and move onwards to Puerta del Sol, and onwards to Madrid’s ‘Times Square’. You'll enjoy a delicious Spanish lunch to refuel and recharge over discussion from anything ranging from Spanish gastronomy to education to siestas.
For the afternoon, you'll head to one of the world’s finest art collections at the spectacular Prado Musem, with skip-the-line tickets. The Prado is home to notable works such as Hieronymus Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights and Roger van der Weyden’s The Descent from the Cross, as well as many other famous masterpieces. Be prepared to be impressed as you receive an in-depth overview of this exquisite collection from your expert guide.
By the end of this wonderful day filled with the best of what Madrid has to offer, you’ll have a deeper understanding and appreciation of this vibrant Spanish capital.
Interested in exploring more of this elegant city? Check out our Madrid Tapas Tour or our Reina Sofia Museum Tour.
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Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
What happens if it's raining?
Our tours happen rain or shine. Our guides are great at adapting their route during changes of weather. Please bring an umbrella.
Is this walk suitable for families?
We've specifically designed a different version of this tour for families. Please see our Madrid in a Day for Kids Tour.
Where do we meet? Where does the tour end?
You’ll meet your expert guide in the historic center of Madrid and ends at the Prado Museum. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map.
Will this walk include the Royal Palace?
Our tour will examine the palace from its exterior. We will not enter the palace on this tour due to the timeframe for the itinerary.
Will this walk include the Royal Palace?
Our tour will examine the palace from its exterior. We will not enter the palace on this tour due to the timeframe for the itinerary.
Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
This tour is fairly walking-intensive and the route may include narrow sidewalks and cobblestoned streets. Please contact us to discuss in more detail your mobility concerns so that we can best advise.
What costs will I need to cover on the day?
We will pre-purchase your skip-the-line tickets for the Prado Museum. You will be expected to cover the cost of your lunch and any additional refreshments.
There are 7 or more people in my group but your website won't allow me to include more than 6 participants. Can't you make an exception?
There are 7 or more people in my group but your website won't allow me to include more than 6 participants. Can't you make an exception?
No, unfortunately due to venue reservation restrictions we cannot accommodate groups larger than 6 people. If your group is larger, we recommend you split into multiple groups.
Where You'll Start
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50 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
We did the full day tour of Madrid with Andrea today. She was amazing. She walked us around and pointed out major landmarks and places to see. She was able to vary our tour so we could see a couple of extra items we asked about. And, she pointed out several places for us to return. Her knowledge of the Prado was exceptional. We all got a lot more out of the museum than if we had not had her and relied on the usual tour. I highly recommend this tour to get a great lay of the land in Madrid.
Nicole
Nov 15, 2024
Andrea was fantastic. She accommodated our schedule and made everything interesting. She is very knowledgeable about art and history. The Prado museum was a highlight. She explained the masterpieces in a way that kept all of us engaged. Would highly recommend her!
Regan
Oct 3, 2024
Bravo for Carlos! Best private tour guide we had on vaca. Knowledgeable and entertaining. Put Spanish history in context. Exposed us to hidden gems. Patient with our questions. Patient and accommodating when I needed a break. Generous with suggestions for authentic Spanish souvenir recommendations, restaurant suggestions. . . Even the closest library!
Nancy
Jun 24, 2024
