Madrid in a Day Tour:Royal Palace, Historic Center & Prado Museum
Description
Explore the best of Madrid with this expertly guided walking tour featuring skip-the-line tickets to the Royal Palace, one of Europe’s most breathtaking royal residences, and to the Prado Art Musuem - the cultural jewel of Spain. If you wish, choose the Prado Early Access option when booking for a VIP experience in the Prado Museum where you'll enjoy a guided tour of the galleries one hour before they open to the public. As you make your way through the stunning galleries of the Prado Museum, through the charming historic center, and wrap up at the grandiose Royal Palace, you'll be accompanied by an insightful local guide who will decode the city's lesser-known stories and hidden secrets every step of the way. And with a small group of just 16 guests maximum, you'll enjoy a more relaxed and intimate experience with easy access to your guide so you can ask them all your burning questions.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your tour starts when you skip the line and enter the Prado art museum, home to one of the greatest collections of European art in the world. Breeze past the crowds and head straight inside to enjoy a full tour of the museum’s highlights. Along the way, you'll meet the masters who have defined Spanish art throughout the centuries, from the court painters of the Spanish Royal Family to legendary artists like Goya, Velazquez, El Greco, Bosch, Tintoretto and more. Your guide will tell you the stories behind the art and help you understand what makes each piece so celebrated—which just isn't possible to do on your own in a museum boasting over 1,000 pieces on display! If you wish, choose the Prado Early Access option for a VIP experience in the Prado Museum where you'll enjoy a guided tour of the galleries one hour before they open to the public.
Leaving the museum, you’ll walk the medieval streets of central Madrid, stopping at famous landmarks like the Plaza Mayor and the Puerta del Sol as your guide tells your story of how the city went from an outpost of a crumbling Moorish empire to the preeminent Catholic power in Europe. And while there's plenty of history to be found in these streets, today the area is one of the city's coolest neighborhoods. You'll also learn how to make the most of it during the rest of your stay as your guide shares tips on where to eat, shop, and relax.
Sightseeing & photo stop.
Stroll towards the heart-stopping Royal Palace, where you'll enter with skip-the-line tickets to explore an incredible collection of paintings and textiles in each room. On your guided visit of the world's largest in-use royal palace, you'll see the palace's impressive chapel, the king's and queen's dressing rooms, the throne room—where bureaucrats are still received by the king and queen today—and more. You'll also hear the story of Madrid's most famous "mayor", King Carlos III, who was instrumental in shaping the modern city you've gotten to know throughout the day.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This tour is in English.
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- Sites on this tour are subject to occasional closures. If modifications are needed and time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour.
- Walks and Devour comply with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up to date information.
Reviews(787)
Maria was lovely. Great tour overall I would recommend. It was very busy. Bring comfortable walking shoes and bring a mini portable fan and foldable water bottle.
Daniel was very knowledgeable and fun to chat with!
Excellent day with Luis Morales who was very knowledgable at the prado, throughout the city walking from the prado to the royal palace. Very intense 4 hour tour.
Great tour. Our guide Lola was very knowledgeable. A lot of walking but luckily it wasn't a very hot day.
Luis was well informed and proud of his city.
Guide’s is too low. Bad ear piece. And her thick accent. Couldn’t understand much. Very frustrating.
Luis was absolutely amazing. I cannot believe my luck, I got a private tour of the Prado and the Palace. Being at the Prado an hour early and having the museum to ourselves was such a cool experience. I highly, highly recommend this tour.
Jaime S was very passionate and explained everything very clearly, leaving no detail behind. He made the tour entertaining while informative as well.
Excellent tour but ready to walk a great deal. Very informative tour with a great tour guide - David- who was very engaged. Highly recommended.
Wonderful experience, highly recommended.
