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Best things to do and see in Madrid

Madrid is a city that doesn’t need any introductions. It is the capital of Spain, and a tourist hotspot every year along with Barcelona. Its abundant culture, architecture, cuisine, and art make it obvious why so many decide to visit this Iberian city, along with all the different niches and interesting sites it has to offer if you know where to look, that is! If you are planning on visiting this European metropolis, it’s important that you have a few reference points so you get the most out of your trip.

If you are looking for the best free walking tour in Madrid , the best idea is for you to do it with a local guide who knows all those mandatory tourist stops and of course the more hidden charms of this great city. If you tour this capital city you can’t miss places like: walking through Madrid’s Retiro, park area, or walking by the Gate of Alcala, (la Puerta de Alcalá) Cibeles Square, continuing until the Sun Gate, (la Puerta del Sol). A visit to the Main Square, (Plaza Mayor) where you can take a walk to the gardens beside the Royal Palace is also a must. There are also more specific tours you can choose that will take you some of Madrid’s different neighborhoods like: Salamance, Chueca, La Latina or Argüelles. If you enjoy art and museums, Madrid is a top destination with world-renowned museums like the Prado, Queen Sophia, the Archeological Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza or the Sorolla Museum. If you are choosing a walking tour, you can’t forget about places like Columbus’ Square, the Argüelles viewpoint, Santa Ana’s Square, the Gran Vía Avenue or the Plaza de España itself.

Find out more info about the free walking tours available in Madrid , by going to the webpage and reading other walkers’ opinions and reviews about their experiences on the same route with the same guide.  Whether you book a guruwalk in the morning, afternoon, or evening, you will have a great time getting to know some of the charms with professional guides who will get you the most out of your holidays in this Spanish capital. 

Free walking tour near Madrid

Others cities to visit after madrid, find other guruwalks in madrid, where are you traveling to.

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Free Walking Tours Madrid

The best free tour of Madrid! Free Walking Tours Madrid promotes a tourism that fuses entertainment, culture and respect for the city 🙂 Join and discover Madrid with us!

• Entertainment and culture , is the combination that defines our success formula.
• Expert guides that are passionate about the city!
• Free Tour concept, where you choose the price.

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Tours & Activities in Madrid

• Free Tour Madrid The best Free Tour of Madrid! Free Tour Madrid promotes tourism that blends entertainment, culture and respect for the city. Join and discover Madrid with us, discover the best side of the city !! Book & Info
• Free Tour Madrid Monumental & Retiro Park Explore with us the most monumental and artistic Madrid, a tour of the great architectural works of the city. Book & Info
• Flamenco Show in Madrid Live the passion of dance and flamenco in Madrid. Highly talented artists and a unique environment to discover this incredible Spanish dance. An experience for the senses! Book & Info
• Full day Toledo Visiting Toledo is to get to know the history of our country. The so-called "city of the three cultures" , gathers artistic and architectural jewels of Christianity, Judaism and Muslim culture. Book & Info
• Avila + Segovia, Full day Tour Free Walking Tours Madrid, together with our partner company VPT, propose a full day tour to Avila and Segovia. A magnificent full day tour in which you will get to know two World Heritage Cities. Book & Info
• Escorial and Valle de los Caídos Visit San Lorenzo de El Escorial and enjoy the spectacular views from the Valle de los Caídos, all accompanied by our expert guide. Book & Info

Private Tours

With private tours we can adapt to your needs, with the duration and travel you prefer; a great option for groups of students, corporate events or simply to live a more personalized experience in Madrid.

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Free Madrid Walking Tours

Which free tour is best.

This post covers free walking tours in Madrid, including outings that cover the historic district, the best-kept secrets of the city, and even a look at the city after dark.

• Overview + Schedule
• Historic District + Essentials
• Majestic Madrid
• Tapas Tours
• Night Tours + Pub Crawls
• Flamenco Tours

Museum Tours

OVERVIEW + SCHEDULE

Madrid has been one of the epicenters of Western art in Europe for centuries and is now home to world-class museums, culture, architecture, monuments, and other attractions.

While exploring the Spanish capital, you will navigate through the city’s fascinating history from its foundation as a Moorish town to its modern and vibrant current state.

Free Walking Tour of Madrid

Below is a calendar of some of the great free walking tours led by locals that are available in Madrid. Click on the entry below to expand the listing for more details.

The tours listed below are run through us. More tours are available in the following sections.

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Here is a calendar with more of the best free walking tours in Madrid.

Take a walking tour and become a Madrileño for a day, because in the words of the great writer Calderón de la Barca: “Madrid is everyone’s homeland…”

This model of tours is pay-what-you-wish, meaning you can pay your local guides what you think the tour was worth, or what you could afford after your walk is over.

According to online reviews, most tourists pay between €5 to €20 per person for free walking tours Madrid-style.

We offer tours globally . Here are just a few cities.

• Palma de Mallorca

HISTORIC DISTRICT TOURS + ESSENTIALS 

Several free walking tours take you through the most historic neighborhoods in Madrid, providing a closer look at notable landmarks and explaining what life was like during medieval times.

While you can expect to learn some history on these outings, you’ll also receive tips about the best places to visit, great restaurants in the area, and more.

Royal Palace of Madrid

In addition to discovering how the capital of Spain developed into the city we see today, you can also expect to visit some of the following locations:

• Puerta del Sol
• Plaza Mayor
• The Royal Palace
• Almudena Cathedral
• Mercado de San Miguel

If you want to learn more about these sites, consider one of the pay-what-you-wish tours listed below.

Learn about the royal families of the past and how this city rose to prominence as you visit some of the most notable sites on this 2-hour free tour of Madrid.

This pay-what-you-wish tour is available in both English and Spanish twice a day at 10:00 am, 10:30 am, 11:00 am, 11:30 am and 17:00 (5 pm) on every day.

The tour will start at the Puerta del Sol also known as the Sun Gate.

Get more information or book this tour .

You may also want to consider a self-guided exploration game instead. This service puts you in the role of someone escaping the Spanish Inquisition.

Although the self-guided game is not free, at only €10, it's around what most people would consider tipping their guide for a pay-what-you-wish walking tour.

This tour game lasts 2 hours and runs daily from C. de San Bernardo, 1, 28013 Madrid, Spain

MAJESTIC MADRID

If you’re looking to take a more unique tour of the city, there are at least a couple of options you may want to consider.

While some cover the basic history of Madrid from a different perspective, others are more focused on the culture of the city, including details about famous writers and artists from the area.

• Puerta de Alcalá

At least one of these outings includes free food samples!

You can expect to see some of the following highlights on these tours:

• Circle of Fine Arts
• Plaza de la Armería
• Fuente de Cibeles (Cibele Fountain)
• The Royal Theatre (Opera House)
• Monastery of the Royal Barefoot
• Prado Museum

For more information about locations like these, consider taking one of the pay-what-you-wish walking tours listed below.

Xtreme Tours

Discover the other side of Madrid on a tour covering several notable sites you won't see on the typical tour of the city centre.

In addition to the unique take on history, you’ll also get some free drinks just for taking this 2 ½ hour tour.

The tour is available every day at 11:30 am and 17:30 (5:30 pm).

The tour starts at Puerta del Sol in front of the equestrian statue of Carlos III. Your tour guide will be waiting with a distinctive white umbrella with the Xtreme Tours Madrid logo.

Book the tour or learn more .

If you’re interested in learning about the most famous artists who ever lived in Madrid, Sandemans Majestic Madrid tour is an excellent choice.

Learn about the history of Miguel de Cervantes (Don Quixote), Ernest Hemingway (A Farewell to Arms), and many other literary geniuses who once walked the streets of this city.

Although this tour is free, it will only cost €3 for adults and €15 for groups (per guest) to get priority tickets. Many travelers tip between €10-€15 after a pay-what-you-wish tour, so this is a quite fairly priced outing.

This Madrid tour is available in both English and Spanish on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 15:00 (3:00 pm).

The Tour starts in front of the Tourist Information Centre in Plaza Mayor

TAPAS TOURS

There’s a lot of great food in Madrid, but tapas are one of the most popular dishes in all of Spain, so you can expect to find a wide variety of them at restaurants in this city.

These tasty treats are so prevalent that there are some free walking tours you can take which will help you find the best tapas in all of Madrid.

Most of the locations you will visit are known as tapas bars, which specialize in making several different styles of meals.

Each of these tapas tours will allow you to decide how much food you try, as you’ll be paying for your food along the way.

Leaf Madrid

This tour company offers a free tour that will take you to popular bars and restaurants which specialize in making a variety of different tapas.

Rather than paying one flat price upfront, you’ll pay for all the food you want to try along the way, giving you control over the cost of the tour.

Available in both English and Spanish, this 2 ½ hours free tapas tour is limited to groups of 10 or fewer and it’s offered on Thursday at 18:00 (6 pm).

Meeting point of the tour is Puerta del Sol at Carlos III on Horse Statue . Tour guide will be holding a Sky Blue Umbrella in his hands.

Book your tour or learn more .

Unseen Footprints

If you’d rather explore the city and try some of the best food in Madrid on your own, this self-guided tapas tour is an excellent choice.

This outing includes multiple different stops at tapas bars in the city, allowing you to try several different types of this popular dish.

The best part about this option is that you don’t have to pay anything for a tour guide and you can decide how much you want to spend on the actual food as you make your way to each location.

The tour starts around 9 pm and the first stop of the tour is El Oso y el Madroño .

Take this self-guided tapas tour or learn more .

Enmanuel Tours

Note: Tour is currently unavailable.

This expert local guide offers a tour called "Delicious Madrid," which covers some of the best foods to eat in the city.

Rather than focusing just on Tapas, this is both a gastronomy and historical tour, providing details about Spanish traditions, customs, and history.

Along the way, you'll have opportunities to taste some of the best dishes in Madrid at local, family-run businesses.

This tour is offered every Saturday and Sunday at 11 am and 16:30 (4:30 pm).

Find out more about the Delicious Madrid tour .

NIGHT TOURS + PUB CRAWLS

These are pretty much the same as a tour of the historic district, but they are offered after the sun goes down.

That said, some night tours offer additional tips and tricks to help guests find their way around the city.

If you’re interested in seeing what Madrid looks like either as the sun is setting or after it goes down, these are excellent sightseeing opportunities.

It’s also worth noting that the free tapas tour from Leaf Madrid starts at 6 pm, so you could easily consider this a night tour as well.

We’ll also provide a few options for pub crawls in Madrid to help you find the best sangria, beer, wine, and vermouth in the city!

Here are a few of the sites you can expect to see after dark:

• Plaza de la Villa

Discover what Madrid looks like at night on one of the following free walking tours.

Tours Tilla

This is the same historic district tour that we have listed above, but it should be noted that they offer their service after dark, and it’s one of the best free night tour options in Madrid.

Guests can take the tour every night in either English or Spanish at 17:00 (5 pm), and it’s approximately 2 hours in length, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore the city after dark.

Learn more about this option or book the tour now .

Madrid’s Origin

This outing provides information stretching back over 1200 years of history, and it includes stops at some of the most famous locations in the city.

Although this 2-hour tour is offered in both English and Spanish three times a day – once at 17:30 pm, 21:00 pm and again at 22:30 pm Daily!

Meeting point of the tour is Puerta del Sol and guide will be carrying a light blue umbrella.

Find out more or book this tour .

GPS My City

If you’re looking for a free pub crawl, there is one self-guided option provided by GPS My City that you might want to consider.

This guide will use GPS to help you find your way from one bar to the next and it has a total of 18 stops.

You can download it to your smartphone using their app on either iTunes or Android.

Since you don’t have to pay for a tour guide, you can save all your money on trying out a variety of different drinks at the bars you’ll visit along the way.

Take this self-guided pub crawl or learn more .

Other Madrid Pub Crawls

Most pub crawls in this city are not free, but they do often include at least one free drink at each of the bars visited in addition to some drink specials to save you even more money.

Prices range from just €11 to €39, and these outings can last up to 6 hours depending on which one you choose.

If you want to learn more or see what’s available, please check this list of Madrid pub crawls .

FLAMENCO TOURS 

Madrid is home to some wonderful artistic and cultural traditions, and it’s the origin of a popular form of music and dance known as Flamenco.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about this dance form, there is at least one free walking tour you may want to consider.

You can expect to visit some of the dance schools and Spanish bars where famous Flamenco dancers and musicians have performed throughout the years.

You’ll also visit some artisan shops which sell items such as Flamenco shoes and handmade guitars for artists who perform either the dance or the music that goes along with it.

Your tour guide will also provide information about Flamenco to help you understand its artistry of it and get the most out of any show you might choose to see after this outing.

This 1 ½ hour free walking tour is only available every Saturday at 11:45 am, so it’ll be important to sign up for the service well in advance to ensure you’re included in the group.

Book this tour or learn more .

See a Flamenco Show

If you want to see this music and dancing for yourself either before or after the tour, several venues offer tickets you can purchase well in advance.

Here are a few of the best Flamenco shows currently available in Madrid:

• Corral de la Morería
• La Taberna de Mister Pinkleton
• Centro Cultural Flamenco
• Torres Bermejas
• Cafe de Chinitas

In addition to all of the other types of free walking tours, you can take in Madrid, there are also several companies offering pay-what-you-wish tours of notable museums.

While these services do not include admission to the museums in question, they are an excellent way to make sure that you're seeing all the best exhibits and sites at each museum.

The only issue with these museum tours is that they aren't always consistently offered on a regular basis, so availability really depends upon when you plan to visit and how far in advance you reserve your spot.

Here are a few of the best options currently available:

• Best of the Prado Museum
• Prado Museum Essentials Tour
• Best of the Reina Sofia Museum
• El Prado: A World Art Treasure
• Free Tour of the Royal Palace of Madrid

And much, much more

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Best 5 Free walking tours in Madrid

I love the free walking tours in Madrid. They are a wonderful, sustainable, and healthy way to discover the history, culture, and top-rated attractions of the capital of Spain.

Besides, are a great option if you want to visit Madrid on a budget !

Table of contents

How to book the best walking tours in Madrid for free

My 5 reasons to join the free walking tours in madrid, how walkable is madrid, 1. madrid free walking tour, 2. discover the heart of the old town of madrid and its wonders, 3. get your bearings in madrid: discover the old town, 4. free tour “millenary madrid” – madrid de los austrias (old town), 5. madrid highlights free walking tour, how much to tip a free walking tour guide, what is a free walking tour in madrid.

I would describe a free walking tour of Madrid as a type of tour usually lasting 2-3 hours with an expert local guide in a unique and fun experience while discovering the most popular tourist attractions in Madrid.

I want to highlight that you do not have to pay anything at all to book the tour. A tip is usually (fairly) expected though if you enjoyed the experience.

#1 TOP PICK

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Madrid Old Town

✔️ Duration: 2h and 15min

✔️ Language: English

After all, although tour guides are passionate about Madrid, they also have invoices to pay. It is logical to think that their work deserves some reward too.

There is a wide offer of experiences to choose from and it can be sometimes difficult to identify the best ones. This is why I have included in this post the best free walking tours of Madrid from my point of view.

It is not allowed to join the best walking tours in Madrid without booking.

Booking in advance a Madrid free tour is necessary to secure your place . Besides, you will be able to receive important information from your guide in case there are changes to the tour. Remember that children must also be counted at the time of booking.

The booking process is really easy. Just click on the link of the tours you will find on this post , choose the date, and fill out a brief form.

You will receive a confirmation email of your booking. In case you don´t, check your spam folder and verify you have input the right email address.

There is usually a minimum and a maximum number of participants. If you go to the meeting point without booking, the group could be full and do not accept additional participants.

The 5 Best Madrid Segway Tours

In case you have booked one of the best Madrid free tours and something unexpected comes up, the cancellation is also free .

If so, remember to cancel the booking as soon as possible. This way, you will give the opportunity to others to join the tour.

The meeting point is usually an easily accessible place in Madrid´s city center. It is important to arrive about 10 minutes before the start time scheduled. This way, the guide will be able to begin the tour on time.

1. You will get an integral experience .

In my opinion, walking is by far the best way to explore Madrid.

Most tourist attractions are located in the historical city center within walking distance and the weather in Madrid is excellent to enjoy a stroll.

Public transport in Madrid is awesome and can be a faster way to get around in case your planning is quite tight.

I prefer slow traveling though, as you can always come across some hidden gems of the city and experience Madrid like a local.

I have always believed that it is not just a way of getting to your final destination, but it is actually enjoying every single place you go through .

The free walking tours in Madrid are perfect to get a deeper involvement and discover the local culture and day-to-day Spanish life.

2. They are healthy and sustainable .

Walking is friendly to the environment.

According to the European Environment Agency, transport is responsible for a considerable part of the total greenhouse gas emissions.

Therefore, the free walking tours in Madrid result in fewer emissions released into the atmosphere, help to protect biodiversity and decrease noise pollution.

Besides, walking is beneficial for your health, reducing the risk of cardiac diseases and heart attack.

Research shows that regular walking actually modifies your nervous system, reduces the levels of stress and anxiety, and can significantly improve your mood.

Madrid´s nice weather is very convenient to enjoy a stroll. Rain is not usual, but in July and August a bottle of water will be much appreciated, especially at mid-day.

3. They are free .

The free walking tours in Madrid will allow you to save money on your trip to Spain. Being complimentary, you will have more budget available for other pleasures like tasting Spanish gastronomy.

Usually, the tour guides are young native freelancers with a deep knowledge of the city.

They will be always happy to offer you insider tips on places to visit, things to avoid, and the best restaurants. Therefore, a tip will be more than welcome in case you have enjoyed the experience.

4. Forget about planning .

One of the main benefits of the free-of-charge walking tours in Madrid is that you do not have to worry about planning.

All you have to do is turn up at the meeting point on time, ready to have a nice time.

The tour guides will take care of the rest. The whole route is thoroughly planned in advance and you will not miss any of the best landmarks in Madrid .

Moreover, the tour guides will show you Madrid´s secrets that only the locals know.

5. Engage with new people

The free Madrid walking tours are a great opportunity to meet people who probably share your interests . That is why they are especially interesting if you are traveling solo to Spain .

Perhaps it is just me, but when I travel, I am more outgoing to talking with strangers than in my daily life.

It could be just because of this feeling of sharing the passion for discovering new places, but I have done plenty of good friends when traveling around.

As a local, I would say that Madrid is easy to navigate on foot , especially at the city center which houses most of the must-see attractions.

The weather in Madrid is most of the time pretty appealing for walking, sunny days are usual. Madrid in Winter is beautiful too, and temperatures are not extreme.

Therefore, my list of the best costless walking tours in Madrid is an outstanding way to explore the capital of Spain, strolling along the streets and discovering the hidden gems of the city.

For me, walking in Madrid is a pleasure.

Pedestrian and green zones are common, especially in the city center, and they are clean and safe . Of all the ways to explore Madrid, nothing beats a walking tour.

In order to make Madrid a more walkable city, there is a continuous investment to increase the pedestrianized areas and improve the infrastructure for pedestrians.

The main objective is to improve the pedestrian experience and convert walking into the most enjoyable and attractive means of transport.

It is true, however, that there is still plenty of work to do, some areas of the city are much more walkable than others.

What are the best free walking tours in Madrid?

The 5 Best (and cheapest) Bike Tours in Madrid

Do you want to truly get to know Madrid?

Walking tours are a great way to get a comprehensive insight into the capital of Spain and make the most out of your visit to Madrid.

There are dozens of tour companies, mainly paid, so visitors find it difficult to choose one.

In this post, I want to share with you which are, in my opinion, the best free walking tours in Madrid to help you plan your trip to Spain.

But it is not just me who believes these are the best free walking tours in Madrid. I have included just a couple out of hundreds of authentic excellent testimonials .

Please note that some free walking tours in Madrid are available in different languages, make sure to pick the right one before booking.

Here is my review of the 5 best free walking tours in Madrid:

My first option offers this free walking tour in Madrid which will allow you to discover the most emblematic areas and attractions of the capital of Spain.

You will learn all about Madrid´s history accompanied by a local bilingual guide.

This free walking tour in Madrid has a duration of 2 hours and you will stroll through El Madrid de los Austrias, the most historic neighborhood of the city.

The local guide will take you to the most iconic streets, squares, and landmarks, including the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, and much more.

While you wander through Madrid’s historic center, the guide will tell you interesting anecdotes and traditions which will bring you much closer to our Spanish culture.

Pablo was a really fantastic guide. He provided a great deal of history and information and did it with a good sense of humor. I would highly recommend this tour. Crystal | United States

This tour will allow you to discover one of the most historic neighborhoods in the city, Madrid de los Austrias.

This is one of the best free walking tours in Madrid and lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Click here to book this free tour now .

The tour starts at the iconic Puerta del Sol, which houses some of the most iconic landmarks in Madrid such as the Royal Post Office, with the famous clock marking the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes and the beginning of a new year.

You will also find El Oso y el Madroño, a sculpture of a bear and strawberry tree which represent the coat of arms of the capital of Spain, the Kilometer 0, a mounted statue of King Charles III, the Mariblanca, and the Tio Pepe neon sign.

Melissa was an amazing guide, she provided a lot of information and made the tour super fun with her humor! Certainly recommended! Anastasia | Poland

After a short walk, you will get to the famous Plaza Mayor, an outstanding arcaded square with a rectangular shape and a total of 237 balconies.

The next stop will be a gastronomic icon temple. El Mercado de San Miguel, with a remarkable early-20th century iron structure, has more than 20 stands with the best quality products in the entire Iberian Peninsula.

Finally, you will discover the emblematic Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral, and the Royal Theater, very close to the starting point of the tour.

Here you will find the link to my third choice of the best walking tours in Madrid. Secure your place by booking now this free tour .

The tour has a duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes, and the guide will show you Madrid´s historical center.

Do not worry if you are not an expert in history, the guides will only go as in depth in history as participants want to, and they will do their best to make it fun and easy to understand.

Some of the tourist attractions you will discover on this free walking tour in Madrid are Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, the 9th-century Moorish wall, and the Plaza de Oriente.

Sebastian was an excellent tour guide! We learned so much and got to see so many interesting parts of Madrid. Highly recommend. Barbara | San Marino

Would you like to know the fascinating history of Madrid and visit its historic center, a legacy of the House of Los Austrias? Book now this tour for free.

This 2.5-hour tour is the next on my list of the top 5 free walking tours in Madrid.

The tour offers a route through Madrid de Los Austrias. You will walk through the historic center of Madrid, discovering and learning about its origins, history, and legends, which have given life to this majestic city.

On this tour, you will be able to enter some of the historical sites and an experienced local guide will help you to better understand customs, traditions, and local advice that will make you enjoy a better experience in Madrid.

Some of the tourist spots visited will be Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, and Plaza de Oriente.

Join this tour without charge to discover this exciting city that is waiting to tell you the secrets of more than a thousand years of history.

Luis, the guide, has been very attentive and entertaining, iproviding us with very detailed explanations. 5 stars! David | Nord de Palma

This 2-hour historical walk offers a unique experience to discover the must-see attractions of the capital of Spain.

You will cover the most historic neighborhood of the city inside and outside what was the Medieval wall.

The local guide will carefully share valuable information about the attractions, Madrid´s history, and gastronomical advice that you cannot miss.

Some of the landmarks you will visit are the Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, and San Miguel Market.

Great tour as a first glance at the city. We visited the most important places and heard curious facts about them. The guide was very helpful and fun . Annalisa | Lisbon

As I said before, booking the best free walking tours in Madrid is free of charge.

However, in case you have enjoyed the experience you can reward the guide for his work with the amount you consider fair and appropriate .

After all, although tour guides are passionate about their job, it is logical to think that their effort deserves some reward too.

Besides, if we all do not collaborate with these guides, free tours will end up disappearing.

The amount to tip depends on everyone and it usually depends on the final satisfaction, duration of the tour, and the number of people in your party.

I would dare to say that the usual average is around 10 euros per adult for a 2-hour tour.

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The best free walking tours and paid tours in Madrid. Personally verified by Walkative team.

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What to see in Madrid?

Madrid is Spain’s largest city and capital. Picturesquely located on the Manzanares River, at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains, it attracts several million tourists every year. And for good reason! There are plenty of monuments, interesting museums and restaurants serving delicious local food and vine. So where should you go during your trip to Madrid? There are many possibilities! One of the most representative places to start your sightseeing is the centre itself, specifically the Puerta del Sol. It is a vast square with 18th century townhouses surrounding it. There is also a statue depicting the city’s symbol here: a bear climbing a strawberry tree.

Almost all tours of Madrid will also take you to the Palacio Real – royal palace. This 18th-century Baroque-style building impresses with both its façade and interior. In particular, the beautiful Throne and Banqueting Hall, library, pharmacy, armoury and carriage museum are impressive. From the palace, it takes less than ten minutes to reach the city’s main square, the Plaza Mayor, also known as the theatre under the sky of Madrid. It is a place you must see with your own eyes! It is close to numerous attractions such as the Basilica of Saint Michael, the famous Mercado de San Miguel market or the former town hall, Casa de la Villa.

Madrid tours – the most important sights

Right in the centre there is also the Retiro Park – the green lungs of the city. If you love nature and don’t know what to see in Madrid, this is the perfect place for you. This huge park stretching over twelve hectares is a home to several thousand different shrubs and trees – including the oldest tree in the entire city, a 400-year-old Mexican cypress. There is also a large rosarium and the Crystal Palace, built entirely of steel and glass. Today, contemporary art exhibitions can be seen here.

Other important tourist attractions in the city is the Gran Via street, which houses numerous shops, hotels, theatres, cinemas and art déco townhouses. Also not to be missed is the impressive cathedral, La Almudena, whose towers and domes are rising over Madrid. The Real Madrid stadium, Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, is also worth a visit, it will be a real treat for football fans. But to get a better idea of the city’s history and its many sights, it is worth joining so-called free walking tour. A Madrid tour with a professional guide is sure to delight you more than once, and by walking around on your own, you may miss out some of the lesser-known, but still amazing, sights. These include, for example, the royal convent of the Poor Clares of Descales Reales.

Free walking tour – Madrid at its best

If you want a guided tour of Madrid and are travelling in a small group our free walking tour will be a perfect solution for you. Madrid will reveal its secrets to everyone taking part in such a tour, thanks to our experienced and charismatic guides. This is the ideal option for families, couples and friends who want to explore the city with a guide. You don’t have to pay for the tour in advance – after it ends, you decide yourself how much you will reward the guide’s commitment, passion and knowledge. On the Walkative! website you will find the most interesting free walking tours in Madrid , as well as other nearby European cities – including Seville, Cordoba, Paris or Lisbon. Join our unique free walking tours and Madrid will hide no secrets from you!

We had just one day in Wroclaw and a decision to join Walkative tours was the right one! These guys are amazing! Their stories are very informative, full of history, legends, funny jokes! They took us to all astonishing places of Wroclaw. Perfect for a day trip to this lovely city! Thank you, Lukasz and Matt for the brilliant tours!

Dawie’s tour was the best theatre in Paris as well as informative!!!! He is great – even in the rain. Do it.

My group really enjoyed the amount of history explained in the tour, it was a nice way to get a lot of information on several of the key sites in the center of Paris in a compact amount of time. Excellent for orientation and background. I would certainly do other tours in the future.

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• Destinations
• Tours in Madrid

Free Walking Tour: Madrid Essentials and Old Town (Austrias)

Overview of the tour in Madrid

IMPORTANT: Participants under the age of 15 do not require a reservation. Dive into Madrid's enthralling heart on our "Madrid de los Austrias" tour. Uncover the city's unique blend of cutting-edge infrastructure and a vast cultural legacy, from its origins and royal tales to its present-day vibrancy. Why is it dubbed the City that Never Sleeps? Join us to unravel the mystery! Must-Visit Highlights: Puerta del Sol, Km 0, Puerta de Toledo, World’s Oldest Restaurant, Mercado de San Miguel, Muslim Wall, Plaza de la Villa, Almudena Cathedral, Royal Palace, Oldest Pharmacy, and Royal Theatre. Immerse yourself in Madrid's essence, experiencing local warmth and hospitality that makes you feel right at home. IMPORTANT Spaces fill quickly due to the tour's popularity. Please book early to secure your spot and, if plans change, kindly cancel, so others may join. Each reservation has associated costs, and your understanding is valued. Prepare to embark on a memorable journey through Madrid's captivating stories and sights! The adventure starts now.

This activity includes:

• Plaza de Oriente
• Restaurant Botín
• Catedral de la Almudena
• La Plaza de la Villa (Madrid)
• San Miguel Market
• El Vecino Curioso
• Kilometre Zero
• Plaza Isabel II
• Royal Palace of Madrid
• Puerta del Sol
• Plaza Mayor

Meeting point

Oso y Madroño

Meeting Point: Our meeting will be at Puerta del Sol, specifically next to the famous statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree. This emblematic symbol of Madrid is easily recognizable and visible throughout the square. LOOK THE YELLOW UMBRELLA Important Caution: Upon arriving at the plaza, be wary of individuals who may claim to be from our company, stating they are the ones with the yellow umbrella. However, their umbrellas are a mix of yellow and orange, which is not our company’s color. We solely use bright YELLOW umbrellas, with no mix of colors. This distinction is crucial as those not representing our company do not adhere to Trip Tours Madrid's high standards of quality and service. After receiving numerous reports of travelers being misled by these individuals, we strongly recommend you to avoid any interaction with them and look for the true sign of quality and safety: a solid, bright YELLOW umbrella. Identifying Our Group: To find us, simply look for the Trip Tours Madrid guide holding a bright, solid YELLOW umbrella. Our guides will hold it high for easy identification from a distance. Remember, our yellow umbrella is our distinctive mark and your guarantee of receiving the high-quality service that Trip Tours Madrid promises. We recommend arriving 10 minutes early to ensure a smooth start to your journey through time with us.

Things to note

Additional Information for Your Tour Experience: Confirmation and communication: Expect confirmation by WhatsApp or email 1 day before your tour, or on the morning of the day of the tour. It is vital to confirm your attendance. If your plans change, please cancel as soon as possible. Please note that we incur a booking fee for each booking. Dress & Comfort: Prepare for a few hours of exploration! Sport comfortable shoes and attire fit for the weather. It's recommended to pack a bottle of water and apply sunscreen if the day calls for it. Engage with Us: Our guides are well-versed in Madrid's history, architecture, and vibrant culture. If a site piques your interest or you have specific questions, please engage with your guide. We love curious minds! Gratitude is Great: While our tours are technically free, your generous tips enable us to continue offering these enriching experiences. A suggested tip is €15 per person. Need Assistance? For any further queries, reach out to us via the FreeTour chat. We're here to help! Your exploration of Madrid awaits. Let's make it memorable!

Free Cancellation

You are free to cancel a booking anytime. We kindly remind you to cancel bookings you cannot arrive for. Being reported as absent decreases your customer level points and the benefits you can enjoy.

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Travel & Explore Madrid

Popular tours, the modern walking tour, free tour madrid, the classical walking tour, street art tour, discover madrid, a few words, our customers love us, latest reviews.

“I really recommend you to go to the walking tour with the Wolves! And if you go with Katia, you’re lucky!! She has a good energy and looks forward to explain you everything and gices good tips!”

“This is a must. If you are here even just for two days like me, you have to go for this bar tour. All the bars you visit are full of people, music is amazing, everybody is in a good mood and dancing. Not to mention the club where the tour ends. Big thanks and love for our guide Edu and our group for this fun night. See you again for certain.”

nina_fenixnn

“I did the Classic tour with Erika, and it was great! Erika is very funny and also very knowledgeable about all the sites.

Plus, she gave great recommendations for food and other tours. The restaurant she took us to after the tour had incredible paella and tapas, and the best Sangria I’ve ever had.”

Caroline Hoffman

“Very good tours and Erika and Diana are very good on explaining the monuments and the history of the city, it’s a must have if you are in Madrid to check the city with someone that knows and loves Madrid.”

Tiago Vieira

Our trending, we offers a variety of awesome things to do in the heart of madrid, the best madrid pub crawl, a madrid pub crawl is an experience where you, with a group of people from all the world, are going to visit many bars and clubs in one night., flamenco show, experience this passionate art form in one of the best flamenco tablaos in the city., tapas experience, get a taste of spain and meet fellow travellers on our delicious tapas experience., book now, our travelling.

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Choose Your Madrid Free Tour

Rent a car or moto to move around Madrid and its surroundings more comfortably by dismissing predicament and avoiding traffic jams.

Searching for where to stay in Madrid or surrounding towns? Check these hotels and hostels in Madrid for all budgets and all tastes.

Madrid is known for its gastronomy, deliciously diverse cuisine. Check out these bars, cafes, and restaurants in Madrid and around.

Discover the best nightclubs and bars in Madrid. Here are some of the places for rambling around the town, letting loose, and dancing.

Find popular guided tours and excursions in Madrid and its surroundings. Book your transfer from the airport to Madrid or vice versa.

Language schools and other educational institutions and centers offering Spanish language courses and cultural programs in Madrid.

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EXPLORING MADRID ON FOOT

See the city up close: When you’re walking, you’re right in the heart of the action. You can take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the city in a way that’s impossible from a car or bus. You can see the details of the buildings and streets that you might miss otherwise, and you can get a real sense of the city’s layout and character.

Explore off-the-beaten-path areas: Many places in Madrid are hidden gems which only accessible on foot. A walking tour can take you through narrow alleys and side streets that first-time visitors might not even notice otherwise, and you can discover local shops, cafes, and restaurants that you might not find in a guidebook.

DAY TRIPS from MADRID

Alcalá de Henares

El Escorial

Guadalajara

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READ MORE ABOUT MADRID

Guided Walking Tour vs Self-Tour: Which is the Best Way to Explore a City?

Best Time to Visit Madrid: A Complete Guide

Tips and Advice for a Walking Tour in Madrid

Getting Around Madrid: Your Guide to Transportation Options

MADRID ON GOOGLE MAPS

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Free Walking Tour of Madrid

• 9.60 / 10 2,341 reviews | 16,677 travellers Very friendly and knowledgeable tour guide. 10 Rob Dossor

Join us on our free walking tour of Madrid  for a blend of excitement and culture as we visit iconic sights in the Spanish capital alongside an expert guide !

What to Expect

Fall in love with the capital city, as many locals do, on this free guided tour of Madrid. A city that dates back to the mid-9th century, it's cobble-stoned streets have many stories to tell. Alongside our knowledgeable guide, we'll stroll through winding streets, getting to know its hidden secrets.

Over 2.5 hours, our comprehensive route includes:

• Puerta del Sol : Meet us at this centrally located point to kick off our guided tour of the Spanish capital
• Almudena Cathedral : As part of the Royal Palace complex, it's the only Cathedral to break the mold with its North-South facing orientation versus the traditional East-West.
• Royal Palace : Europe's largest functioning royal residence in present day.
• Plaza Mayor : Historically the city's central market, the square has seen many functions over the centuries. In the center is an iconic statue of King Phillip from 1848.
• Plaza de Oriente : An open-air garden museum of sculptures right in front of the Palace complex, lined with sculptures of different Spanish monarchs from centuries past.
• Plaza de la Villa : Right next to Plaza Mayor, this plaza houses some of the oldest buildings in the city.
• Opera House : One of the original main European theaters since its opening in 1850.
• San Miguel Market : Initially an open-air market, it's now converted into a favorite stop among visitors and locals alike for a refreshing vermouth and tapa moment.

Immerse yourself in the rich historical tapestry of the Spanish capital, on this guided Madrid city tour. Get to know the storied past, traditions, and folklore of the capital city, evident in its palaces, convents, and squares.

More Information

2 hours 30 minutes.

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.

English–speaking guide

Not included

When to book.

You can book up until 2.5 hours before the activity as long as there are still places. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible. This must be indicated in the reservation.

Sustainability

All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code .

Our providers commit to:

• Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
• Uphold fair employment standards.
• Foster the growth of local communities.
• Preserve the integrity of local culture.
• Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
• Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
• Operate with honesty and transparency.
• Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

• No printing of documentation required.
• Promotes local employment.

Vive Madrid Tours Show more

Corporate name: Campos Garcia Jose Manuel

Frequently asked questions

Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

Q - Is a minimum number of participants required?

A - This activity requires a minimum of 3 participants. Should this number not be reached, we'll get in touch with you to offer alternatives.

If you have any other questions please contact us.

Free cancellation

Meeting point.

Puerta del Sol, in front of the statue of Carlos III on horseback

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Free Walking Tour Madrid - Old Town

Discover the secrets of the capital of Spain with our Free Walking Tour   Madrid through the Old Town. For about 2,5 hours we will explore the main attractions of Madrid’s most historic neighbourhood and, we will  travel back to the era when  the city reached its greatest political and cultural splendor in Europe. 

• Everyday (except December, 23-27 & January, 1)
• Small groups: max. 10 participants. Book in advance to ensure your spots
• Puerta del Sol Square, by the Equestrian Statue of Carlos III
• Green Umbrella of OgoTours
• Free price (at the end of the tour you determine how much the tour was worth)
• Accessible route
• English. ( Free Tour Madrid en Español disponible en www.ogotours.es)
• Route: Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, San Miguel market, Plaza de la Villa, Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, Plaza de Oriente. Check out the tour spots here.
• Tours run in any weather conditions: shine, rain or snow

How to book your Free Walking Tour Madrid with OgoTours?

Book now to ensure your place in our  Free Tour Madrid. Spots are limited to 10 people so we recomend booking well in advance. . 

Booking our Free Tour in Madrid is easy and quick. Choose the day you want to do the tour and fill out the fields. You will receive your tour confirmation immediately.  The days when our Madrid Free Walking Tour is not available are indicated in red in the calendar. 

Free Walking Tour Madrid is one of our best selling Madrid tours and tickets available for this tour are likely to sell out. Our groups are small in size ( 10 persons maximum ) and spots are limited so it is very important to book in advance.

COVID-19 Safety Measures

Certificate from Spanish Ministry of industry, trade and tourism (Ref.: 005680-46890705F)

Tour Schedule & Meeting Point

Our  Free Walking Tour Madrid  takes place every day (rain, shine or snow). Just come to our meeting point at Puerta del Sol Square (Equestrian Statue of Carlos III) at 10:45 and look for the OgoTours guides with our famous green umbrellas with the logo of OgoTours

Attention : there are a lot of different umbrellas on the square: make sure you find the green umbrella of OgoTours. Do not accept imitations! 😉

How to get to OgoTours meeting point?

Metro : lines 1, 2 and 3. Station: Sol

Renfe Commuter trains: Lines C3 & C4. Station: Sol.

Why this Free Walking Tour Madrid is your best option?

Small groups.

Our Free Walking Tour Madrid has a maximum number of participants (10 people maximum) . Preferable to the very large groups of other walking tour companies. Book in advance to ensure your spots!

Professional Tour Guides

We are specialists in Madrid! Our team consists of local experts who love sharing their passion for Madrid. They all come from different fields (history, fine art and tourism).

Departure Guaranteed

If you book online on our website, the tour departure is automatically guaranteed . We never cancel our tour.

Family-run Business

We are a small local company based in Madrid since 2013 so invest fully in everything we do, from guiding to customer support. Feel the touch of a family-run business.

How much does it cost?

In OgoTours you state the price. In other words, our Madrid Free Walking Tour is based on your satisfaction. At the end of the tour you will have the opportunity to determine your contribution to the guides. Don´t be shy, tips are more than appreciated. 😉

Customer Reviews about our Free Tour Madrid

• OgoTours offers free walking tours in Madrid since 2013 which makes us one of the most experienced walking tour operators in Madrid.
• 1000+ real reviews (95% of them 5/5) on Tripadvisor, Google and Facebook speak for themselves
• Our walking tours in Madrid are recommended by prestigious media such as DK Eyewitness Travel Guides or the German newspaper WELT

Commitment to Quality: Small Groups

Ogotours emphasizes strongly on its commitment to quality. Our team offers small sized groups ( 10 pers. max ) on our Free Tour Madrid which allow us entry to many attractions that larger groups are not permitted. We provide more flexibility to ensure your Walking Tour has over exceeded your needs and wants, and we can guarantee that all of your questions will be answered by our passionate guides.

Tour Spots:

• Puerta del Sol Square
• Plaza Mayor
• The Bakery House
• Posada del Peine
• The Oldest Restaurant in the World
• San Miguel Market
• Royal Palace
• Almudena Cathedral
• Plaza de la Villa Square
• Remains of Santa Maria Church
• Plaza de Oriente
• Royal Theatre

Why do we offer a Free Tour Madrid?

In OgoTours we are so proud of Madrid that we want to share our city with as many people as possible! We strongly believe that the cost shouldn´t be the reason to not discover the charms of the capital of Spain. At the end of the tour we give you the opportunity to pay what you feel our work was worth. Our mission is to offer every visitor the opportunity to experience Madrid in a different way, no matter your budget. 

As the Free Walking Tour is based exclusively on tips, our expert local guides are always motivated and determined to please our customers expectations, ensuring a consistently high quality experience during your time in Madrid. If you love history and want to discover one of the most amazing cities in Europe, don´t think twice and book with our Madrid Free Walking Tour!

What to wear?

It is very important to wear comfortable shoes. Although the weather in Spain is fair, winter in Madrid is hard. During the winter months do not forget to come prepared to deal with cold (gloves, winter cap, anorak, etc.). However, in summer we recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen and light clothing. Spring and autumn are the best seasons of the year to visit Madrid.

Our team, consisting of local experts and Madrid-lovers, are passionate about their city and its history and love sharing their favorite spots in Madrid. With our Madrid Free Walking Tour you will discover the capital from a different perspective, including interesting historical facts and incredible stories. We will show you Madrid the way we live it and feel it everyday!

Copyright © OgoTours Madrid 2013-2023 OgoTours is a 100% local company. And as such, we are proud to do our bit to preserve the traditions and spirit of the city. Our goal is to help you experience Madrid like a local. Tax Identification Number: 46890705F

• Terms & Conditions

Got questions?

• (+34) 660 59 49 52

If you need any additional information about our services, do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to answer all your questions.

Walking Tours

Free Walking Tour in Madrid

Madrid Private Tours

Useful Links

Are you travelling around Spain? We are a proud member of Discover Our Cities . This network is made up of local tour opertators that share the same philosophy about tourism. All companies involved in this proyect have something in common;  we are focused on offering 100% local and genuine experiences. 

Our most popular posts: The best panoramic views in Madrid 

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• With love from Madrid , Spain
• Copyright OgoTours 2013 - 2023

New measures to face COVID-19 and enjoy our tours with safety

Smaller groups (max. 10 people).

Our groups are now limited to 10 people, therefore it is required to book your spot in advance.

MANDATORY USE OF FACE MASK

Mandatory use of face masks for guides and customers . Following the Spanish legislation, the wearing of face masks in all public spaces is obligatory.

SOCIAL DISTANCING (2 METERS)

When available, we highly recommend to maintain 2-meters social distancing between all the participants of the tour.

HAND SANITIZER AVAILABLE

All our guides will be carrying hand sanitizer during the tour and it will be available during the whole route for you.

GUIDES EQUIPPED WITH VOICE AMPLIFIERS

You will hear the explanations perfectly , as your guide will be carrying a voice amplifier.

You don´t need to print out your tour confirmation (just in case keep the email confirmation on your phone). Your name and last name will be enough for the guide to complete the check-in process.

Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration

Free Self-Guided Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain

Madrid is a wonderfully grand and proud city – it’s a pleasure to walk around its elegant streets.

Unlike some capital cities in Europe, Madrid’s city centre is fairly compact and it is possible to explore a lot of it without using public transport.

Follow my self-guided walking tour of Madrid to see how you can discover the main sights and attractions on foot.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. These are links to products or experiences I recommend and if you were to buy something after clicking on them, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Any earnings go towards the upkeep of this blog, which I appreciate.

Table of Contents

About This Self-Guided Walking Tour Of Madrid

What you’ll see in this madrid walking tour:.

• The Royal Palace
• Plaza Mayor
• Puerto Del Sol
• El Retiro park
• Museo Nacional del Prado
• Almudena Cathedral
• Mercado De San Miguel
• Plaza De Cibeles
• Los Austrias & the Royal Theatre
• The tapas bar-lined streets of Calle de Cadiz & Calle Barcelona
• An optional detour into the old neighbourhood Barrio De La Latina

How Long Is The Madrid Self-Guided Walking Tour?

If you were to walk this route non-stop it would be around 7km, or 4.3 miles, and would take you 1.5 hours. But, of course, you’ll be stopping many times along the way, so I suggest you give yourself at least half a day to do this route. In fact, my ideal suggestion is to start late morning and end in the early evening – so close to a whole day. This way you go at a comfortable pace and have plenty of time to do justice to all the stops. With this in mind, I’ve built in lunch and dinner stops into the route. After all, you can’t go to Madrid without trying some tapas !

Self-Guided Walking Tour Of Madrid – In Detail

1. almudena cathedral.

Our Madrid walking tour starts at Almudena Cathedral or Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena . This impressive cathedral looks gothic and old, but in European cathedral terms, is relatively modern, having been built over a protracted period from 1879 to 1993.

The architectural style is a mix of Neoclassical, Neo-Gothic and Neo-Romanesque. Several kings and queens of Spain are buried here and the crypt houses a 16th-century image of the Virgen de la Almudena.

And there’s very little walking to do to get to the next stop because Almudena Cathedral is just across Plaza de la Armeria from the Royal Palace.

2. Royal Palace

How could you visit the capital of Spain without seeing the official residence of the Spanish Royal family, Palacio Real De Madrid ? Visiting it is one of the top things to do in Madrid .

There’s been a palace on this site since there was a fortress constructed by Emir Muhammad I of Córdoba in the 9th century. The current baroque-style palace, though, was built in the 18th century.

Palacio Real is the largest functioning royal palace and the largest by floor area in Europe – 15,000 m2!  You can admire its scale and grandeur from the exterior, including from Plaza de la Armeria or Sabatini Garden – but you can also get tickets to tour the interior .

3. Plaza Oriente, The Royal Theatre & Los Austrias

Once, you’ve had your fill of the palace, head east into a small tidy plaza called Plaza Oriente , which contains statues of 44 Spanish kings from the medieval period. In the centre is a large monument to King Philip IV.

At the eastern end of the plaza, you’ll find the Royal Theatre or Teatro Real , an opera house inaugurated in 1850.

Head south and slightly east, into the heart of Madrid de Los Austrias . This area is so named because it was built during the time of the Habsburg dynasty (Casa de Austria) in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The walk from the Royal Theatre to the next stop is approx. 5 minutes. As you walk, look out for the statue of a fallen angel on top of one of the buildings Calle de Los Milaneses .

4. Mercado De San Miguel

Soon you’ll come to a great place to refuel and get refreshed during the walking tour. 

Mercado de San Miguel was built in 1919 as a wholesale food market, but today it is a place to eat tapas and grab a drink. Within the covered market, there are around 20 stalls with a wide range of small-plate tapas foods, including fresh seafood, Iberian ham and Spanish cheeses. There’s also plenty of sangria on tap – literally!

It’s a popular place, though, so you might have to be savvy to spot a free table. If you don’t, you’re likely to be able to find space at one of the standing spots around the edge of the market.

5. Detour Into Barrio De La Latina

From Mercado De San Miguel, you could take an optional detour down Calle de Cuchilleros into Barrio de la Latina , another old part of Madrid.

Barrio de la Latina is a triangular area between Calle de Segovia, Calle de Bailen and Calle de Toledo. At the heart of it are Plaza los Carros, Iglesia de San Andres Apostle and the Museum of San Isidro. Calle de la Cava Baja is known for its tapas bars.

6. Plaza Mayor

Whether or not you do the detour into Barrio De La Latina, your next stop is the main square in old Madrid and the centre of Los Austrias, Plaza Mayor . Plaza Mayor was built during the reign of Philip III in the 16th century.

As you enter the plaza through one of nine handsome archways, the spectacle will open up before you: tall red buildings line the square, which has a cobbled with a grid pattern; porticoes provide some shade at ground level, and in the centre is a proud a statue of King Felipe III.

It’s a must-see sight in Madrid, but I don’t recommend you stop for a drink or food here. Like most major tourist sites around the world, the cafes on the square can be rather overpriced.

On your way to the next stop, you could take a minor detour via Palacio de Santa Cruz , a baroque building that was built in the 17 th century and used as a jail until the reign of Philip IV. It was then transformed into a palace and now houses the Spanish Foreign Ministry. Alternatively, go the more direct route via Calle Mayor, which has been a major street in Madrid for centuries and is rather lovely!

7. Puerto Del Sol

About 5 minutes from Plaza Mayor, you’ll find Puerto Del Sol . If Plaza Mayor was the centre of old Madrid, Puerto del Sol is the centre of modern Madrid: is a bustling square, often filled with people until late in the evening.

It is a significant space, the location of public meetings and demonstrations for centuries.  The square contains the clock whose bells ring in the New Year and mark the Spanish tradition of the eating of Twelve Grapes.

Other landmarks in Puerta del Sol include the Royal House of the Post Office which now serves as the office of the President of Madrid; a commemorative plaque for the neighbours of Madrid who rose up against the Napoleonic invasion of Spain in 1808; and another for the victims of the Madrid terrorist attacks in 2004. On its south side, there’s a mounted statue of King Charles III of Spain and on the east side, you can find the statue of The Bear and the Strawberry Tree ( el Oso y el Madroño ), which represents Madrid’s coat of arms.

The square is named ‘Puerto’, which means ‘gate’ because it was once one of the gates in the city wall that surrounded Madrid in the 15th century. And ‘del Sol’ is because it faced eastward towards the rising sun.

8. Gran Via

For your next stop on this walking tour of Madrid, head north-east along Calle de la Montera for 5 minutes until you come to Gran Via , at which point, head right, east-wards.

The ornate buildings along this well-to-do shopping street may look really old, but this street was actually built in the 20th century and most of the architectural style is revival architecture.

There’s plenty of spectacle along this road, but the star is the Metropolis building , which sits at the eastern end of Gran Via, at the junction with Calle de Alcala. This spectacular Beaux-Arts-style building was inaugurated in 1911. The domed cupola is covered with 30000 leaves of 24-carat gold.

9. Plaza De Cibeles

Leaving Gran Via behind, carry on Calle de Alcala for 5 minutes, heading east and you’ll see your next stop ahead of you: an impossibly ornate cluster of neo-classical buildings surrounding a roundabout.  

This is Plaza De Cibeles , named for the central fountain of Cybele, a Phrygian goddess. The fountain is the place where Madrid’s football team, Real Madrid, celebrate their team victories.

The four grand buildings on the square are the Bank of Spain , the Palacio de Buenavista , Palacio de Linares and Palacio de Cibeles . The last one is the most ostentatious-looking and behind the white façade is Madrid City Council and a restaurant.

10. El Retiro

Another 5 minutes beyond Plaza De Cibeles, you’ll come to another fancy junction: Plaza de la Independencia , featuring Puerta de Alcalá, a Neo-classical gate once part of the walls around Madrid. Here you’ll find the entrance to your next stop, and somewhere you can rest your feet if they’re getting weary by this point.

Parque del Buen Retiro (or El Retiro for short) is a large, attractive park east of Madrid’s city centre. In the 16 th century, it was a royal garden. It was opened to the public in the late 19 th century and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021.

The 350-acre park is split into different sections, with a mix of ponds, gardens, walkways, monuments and palaces. Feel free to have a wander: don’t stick to the route indicated on the map for this walking tour – explore as much as you want.

I really loved this park. It is big enough for the sounds of the city to disappear and there’s so much variety within it. Some of my favourite parts of this park include:

• Estanque Grande de El Retiro – a large lake in the middle of the park, featuring a monument to Alfonso XII, the King of Spain in the 19th Century.  I liked watching people row boats around the lake and there was a busker playing the saxophone along the walkway.
• A wilderness section where the plants had been left untouched to encourage wildlife to flourish
• Palacio De Cristal : an astonishingly pretty glass palace inspired by the Crystal Palace in London.  It looks out over a small lake with a fountain. It’s so picture-perfect!
• Parterre Garden : an ornate and symmetrical garden with fountains, sculpted trees and a monument to the Nobel-prize-winning dramatist, Jacinto Benavente.

11. Museo Nacional Del Prado & Barrio De Les Letters

On the way to the final stop, you could visit Museo Nacional del Prado , which is the main Spanish national art museum, containing a collection of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century.

The final stop on this self-guided walking tour of Madrid takes you back into the city centre, in search of some tapas!

Tapas is small plates of food served with drinks, and it’s a great way to try Spanish specialities. Classic tapas dishes include patatas bravas, croquettes, Iberian ham, chorizo and calamari – but you’ll find all sorts of food combinations available these days. Sangria or beer are common accompaniments, but lots of places offer cocktails, too.

Madrid is renowned for its tapas bars and I found the biggest and best concentration of tapas in Madrid in Barrio de Les letters and on and around Calle de Cadiz and Calle Barcelona.

For a full rundown of all the tapas bars in Barcelona that I tried – the good and the bad – check out my post on tapas bars in Madrid . However, in the walking tour rout emap, I have marked a couple of my favourites that you could check out:

• Revoltosa : a chilled-out tavern with some tables outside and plenty of space inside. It is about 15 minutes walk from El Retiro to Revoltosa
• Rosi La Loca : this alice-in-wonderland-inspired place has some small dishes on the menu, including delicious tuna Tataki. Great cocktails, too!

Self-Guided Walking Tour Of Madrid FAQs

Is madrid easy to get around on foot.

Yes, it’s pretty easy to walk around Madrid. Like I said before, it’s not a huge city like London or Paris , so the main Madrid attractions are fairly close together. And another bonus is that the streets are very attractive and pleasant – with lots of handsome buildings and café terraces on the pavement.

How Dangerous Is Madrid To Walk Around?

It’s difficult to answer questions like these. On the one hand, there are stats which suggest Madrid is relatively safe, compared to other cities: check out the crime stats on Numbeo , for example.  And my experience in Madrid certainly felt pretty safe. Madrid doesn’t have a reputation for street crime like Spain’s second city, Barcelona , does, for example.

However, I wouldn’t want anyone to think it is entirely risk-free to walk around Madrid.  All cities carry some risk of crime, so I’d urge you to maintain a sensible outlook on this walking tour of Madrid:

• Keep your wits about you and don’t leave belongings unattended
• Don’t wander around with your phone or camera on display – or anything else of value either
• If you carry a bag, consider a cross-body version that can’t be easily grabbed off your shoulder
• Keep anything of value closed away under a zip or equivalent enclosure.

When Is Best To Visit Madrid?

Like a lot of southern Europe, the peak season of summer (June-August) can be really hot and busy. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn can be a good option.

I visited in mid-September and that seemed really lovely: it was sunny and warm, but not oppressive. And the crowds were not too bad, either.

What Gear Do You Need For This Madrid Walking Tour?

The following will be helpful on this walking tour:

• Sneakers / trainers or comfortable shoes, as you’ll be doing a lot of steps!
• Sunhat & sunglasses, unless you’re doing this in winter
• Depending on your weather forecast, a compact rain jacket could be useful to have with you, just in case
• A camera – but as I said, make sure you have a safe place to stow it when you walk
• Some water in a reusable bottle. To keep you hydrated all the way
• A theft-roof bag, such as this  Travelon one, which I use, could be good 

Check out my guide to my favourite travel gadgets .

Map: Self-Guided Walking Tour of Madrid  

Here’s a route map for this Madrid walking tour, showing all the key stops and sights along the way:

How To Use This Map : Click the tab in the top left-hand corner of the map to view the layers. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each one.  If you click the star next to the map’s title, it will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu, go to ‘Your Places’ or ‘Saved’, then click Maps and you will see this map in your list.

Where To Stay For This Madrid Walking Tour

I stayed in the  Hotel Pr eciados , which was centrally located on a smart street, not far from the start of the tour. However, don’t book a single room here – they don’t have external windows, which is a bugbear of mine! The double room I switched to was fine, though.

The Last Word

I hope you enjoy this self-guided walking tour of Madrid!  Do check out my guide to tapas bars in Madrid , also – you will have worked up a good appetite by the end of this walk!

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About The Author

Martha Knight

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