Bear Statue (Oso y el Madroño) in Puerta del Sol (Metro lines 1, 2, and 3). Look for our guides wearing a red T-shirt and holding a sign with your name on it, both with our bear logo. If you have trouble finding us, you can search the following address on Google Maps: Puerta del Sol, 1, 28013.
Description
Uncover Madrid's captivating history, legends, and hidden tales on our walking tour. Explore the oldest part of the city, witnessing iconic landmarks and discovering the evolution of this vibrant capital. Departing from Puerta del Sol, our passionate guides ensure an engaging journey, showcasing not just history but also Madrid's artistic side, popular nightlife spots, and modern architecture. Embark on a 2.5-hour adventure, immersing yourself in the dynamic energy of the Spanish capital!
Some of the places you'll visit in this tour are:
• Puerta del Sol and its monuments (main square in Madrid)
• 0 km
• Arenal street
• Oldest churro place in town
• Plaza Isabel II
• Royal Theater
• Royal Palace
• Almudena Cathedral (the main cathedral in the city)
• Oldest neighborhood
• Botín restaurant
• Plaza Mayor
• And much more
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
10 times a day, 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Next available
Wed, Oct 14
Group price
$233 per group of up to 15
Out at sunset: the 4:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 6:20 PM in the coming weeks.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
Tour Options
Madrid Essential: Walking Tour
Itinerary
Puerta del Sol
18 min
Discover the historic heart of Madrid at Puerta del Sol. Learn about the famous Km 0 marker, the equestrian statue of King Carlos III, and the impressive architecture of the old Post Office amidst this bustling square's many monuments.
Calle del Arenal
18 min
Stroll down Calle Arenal and visit the historic San Ginés churro shop, the oldest in Madrid. Just next door, explore the ancient San Ginés Church, believed to be the oldest in the city, dating back to a time when it stood outside the city walls.
Plaza de Isabel II
19 min
Visit Plaza Isabel II and delve into the history of Queen Isabel II. Marvel at the stunning Teatro Real, one of Europe's most prestigious opera houses, located in this charming square.
Plaza de Oriente
19 min
Explore Plaza de Oriente and admire the magnificent equestrian statue of Felipe IV.
Royal Palace of Madrid
Admission not included19 min
Learn about the history of the Royal Palace and its connection to the first Bourbon King of Spain.
Museo de la Catedral de la Almudena
19 min
Visit the impressive Almudena Cathedral, a stunning blend of architectural styles and the spiritual heart of Madrid. Discover its rich history and significance to the city.
Plaza De La Paja
19 min
Wander through the historic Barrio de los Austrias, the oldest neighborhood in Madrid. Visit Plaza de la Paja and uncover its history as a bustling marketplace in the Villa de Madrid. Finally, see a Madroño tree, used to make the traditional Madroño liqueur, a true taste of Madrid.
Plaza Mayor
19 min
Conclude your tour at the iconic Plaza Mayor, where your guide will share the rich history of this grand square. Learn about its origins, historic events, and the vibrant atmosphere that has made it a central hub of Madrid for centuries.
What's included
Included
Map of the Center of Madrid
MADride tour guide
Not included
Not mentioned drinks, food or entrance fees
Anything not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.7
10 reviews
5
8
4
1
3
1
2
0
1
0
Important Information
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
All images shown for the promotion of our activities and events are to illustrate these activities and events only. Within each activity both the places (restaurants, bars, clubs, clubs and any collaborating company, as well as the formats of drink, food, and offers may vary with respect to their illustrative image. You declare to agree that all the images taken during any of the activities or events that we organize and provide can be used for our media, including social networks, web page, etc. by and for us at any time.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Madrid Essential: Walking Tour take?
Madrid Essential: Walking Tour lasts about 2h 30min. The itinerary has 8 stops.
How much does Madrid Essential: Walking Tour cost?
Prices start at $233 per person for this Madrid experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Madrid Essential: Walking Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 10 departures a day between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
Can I cancel Madrid Essential: Walking Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Bear Statue (Oso y el Madroño) in Puerta del Sol (Metro lines 1, 2, and 3). Look for our guides wearing a red T-shirt and holding a sign with your name on it, both with our bear logo. If you have trouble finding us, you can search the following address on Google Maps: Puerta del Sol, 1, 28013. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Madrid Essential: Walking Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN, EN, ES, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Madrid Essential: Walking Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 10 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by MADride Travel.
Reviews(10)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
L
LKOEK
April 28, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Fun and informative
Paula was our guide and luckily for us the group was small which is our preference. Paula ‘s knowledge was impressive . She was very generous with tips about where to eat and shop and what was a speciality of a particular business. We were the oldest in the group and everyone was so kind for us not to be rushed. Wonderful first day in Madrid
Operator response
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We're delighted to hear that you had a wonderful first day in Madrid with Paula as your guide. It's great to know that her impressive knowledge, helpful tips, and the kindness of the group made your experience enjoyable.
B
Brenda_M
April 26, 2024 · via Viator
Excellent
Excellent, professional and knowledgeable guide! Excellent command of the English language and material covered.
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you found our guide excellent, professional, and knowledgeable, with a strong command of English and the material covered.
F
F5651WYkarens
March 13, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Fernando Fun day
Free walking Tour yesterday with Fernando was informative and fun. His knowledge mixed with sense of humour made this the best walking tour I’ve ever been on. Job well done. We will certainly be recommending you & coming back for more.
Operator response
Thank you for your positive feedback! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Free Walking Tour ! We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back for more tours in the future!
S
Slymoxie
February 29, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
11AM Free Walking Tour with Paula
Paula was our amazing tour guide for this 2 hour walking tour. We booked it through DiscoverWalks, but it was run by MADride. Because it was a free tour (paid by tips at the end), I had very low expectations. I was very wrong because this tour blew us away. Paula was super fun and had all kinds of details at every corner. She was the best tour guide we had in all of Spain (and we had a bunch this trip). She accommodated a few requests like stopping to grab a coffee and helped us with the cookies at the convent. She kept our 3 teens engaged and interested the whole time. An unexpected bonus was that she gave us a bunch of food recs at the end. We used 3 of them and she was spot on with these good places. I'm not sure how you request Paula, but if you can, you should!
Operator response
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that Paula exceeded your expectations during the 2-hour walking tour. We appreciate your kind words about Paula being the best tour guide you had in all of Spain. Thanks again for choosing our experience with Paula!
J
Jolmer1987
January 23, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Highly recommendable!
Sayna is an amazing guide, has a lot of knowledge and eager to explain additional facts when asked. Very recommendable!
Operator response
Thank you for your feedback! We're delighted to hear that Seyna is an amazing guide with a wealth of knowledge and a willingness to share additional facts. Your recommendation is greatly appreciated!
J
JuanF_F
November 24, 2023 · via Viator
Enjoyable walking tour of Madrid
Enjoyed the walking tour through the streets of Madrid. Fernando was friendly and very informative as we went through the afternoon tour. Enjoyed the Madruño drink at end of the tour.
Operator response
We're happy to learn that you found it informative and enjoyed the Madruño drink at the end of the tour. Your positive feedback is appreciated, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more experiences in the future!"
F
Fairytella
September 28, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Great day in Madrid!
We booked a city tour with Madride as part of an business offsite. Our tour guide Paula was amazing. She was very patient, knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. We loved her quirky personality.
Overall, it was a great decision to book with Madride. It was very professional from beginning to the end.
Operator response
Thank you for choosing Madride for your city tour during the business offsite! We're happy to know that Paula, our tour guide, made your experience amazing with her patience, knowledge, and great sense of humor!
We hope to welcome you again soon
D
darrenkI7446JY
September 11, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Irish growing Group
Fantastic walking tour with Marik.
Loads of detail and interesting facts about Madrid.
Great energy and loads of personality, flexible with our group.
Medrona shot was fun
Loads of great tips and recommendations too. Thanks Darren from Dublin
Operator response
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the fantastic walking tour. We're pleased that you valued the abundance of detail and interesting facts about Madrid, as well as the guide's great energy and personality. Your kind words are appreciated, and we hope to welcome you back for more enjoyable experiences in the future!
N
nicolecT6635RA
July 29, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Great Walking Tour
Great walking tour! Took us to the hotspots and was very informative and friendly! Our guide kept us entertained and interested! Highly recommend
Operator response
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled you enjoyed the walking tour. Our goal is to provide an informative and engaging experience. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back soon!
E
elizabethcB3605BV
August 22, 2022 · via Tripadvisor
The tour covered all the highlights. That’s about all I can say.
The tour covered the highlights. Which is all I can say. Our guide was a sweet young girl but her knowledge and enthusiasm was basic. She was an American student who has been in Madrid for 2 years. As I said we saw the basic areas as outlined in the tour. But her knowledge and enthusiasm was basic to say the least. We have been traveling for 2 weeks and this was our 6th tour and unfortunately it was our least favorite.
Operator response
Hi there,
As we can see, you HAVEN'T done this tour, first of all this is a private tour for groups NOT A FREE TOUR, second, THERE IS NOT. We recently upload this tour so there is not way you could come to this PRIVATE TOUR without booking and paying the full group, and we haven't received any booking yet, because is new.
We will really appreciate that you change to the right activity or delete your review, if you want, try to book and you will check that indeed is a private tour.
Best regards,
--
MADRIDE TRAVEL TEAM
Compare similar tours in Madrid
Lowest price: Madrid Essential: Historic Center, Plaza Mayor & Royal Palace — $3
Best rated: Madrid Essential: Historic Center, Plaza Mayor & Royal Palace — 5.0 (7,617 reviews)
Shortest: Essential Flamenco: Pure Flamenco Show in the Heart of Madrid — 1h 10min
