Madrid · MADRID OLD TOWN TOURS

The 15 Best Old Town Tours in Madrid

28 tours  ·  from $11

The Madrid of the Austrias is nine streets wide and holds the oldest bar in the world. These 15 walks cover Plaza Mayor, the Almudena and the lanes between, priced by length with the after-dark legend routes marked.

Madrid Essential: Historic Center, Plaza Mayor & Royal Palace - Plaza Mayor, squid sandwiches, and Toledo
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Madrid Essential: Historic Center, Plaza Mayor & Royal Palace

1.Madrid Essential: Historic Center, Plaza Mayor & Royal Palace

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,416 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) Our pick

Walk from Puerta del Sol to the Royal Palace in about 2.5 hours with guides such as Javier, David, Christian, and Miguel. Expect visual history lessons, Madrid legends, food tips, a flamenco introduction, and a palace viewpoint. Site admissions are not included.

“I highly recommend the Madrid Essential: Historic Center, Plaza Mayor & Royal Palace tour with David. David, our guide, was super informative, friendly, and engaging, blending interesting historical facts with fun stories that made the walk through the historic centre come alive. It was a really fun activity to do with my son. I recommend the tour highly and without hesitation. Thank you, David! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

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Madrid Old Town & Royal Palace Walking Tour Skip the Line Ticket - Plaza Mayor and the short Old Town walk
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Madrid Old Town & Royal Palace Walking Tour Skip the Line Ticket

2.Madrid Old Town & Royal Palace Walking Tour Skip the Line Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,829 reviews · 2 hours 10 minutes (approx.) · from $40

Walk from Calle Mayor through Plaza Mayor, Mercado de San Miguel, and Madrid’s medieval quarter before entering the Royal Palace with a reserved skip-the-line ticket. Expect an English-language group, radio headphones, and about 2 hours 10 minutes with guides such as Jesús, Federico, Rosa, or Rodrigo assigned by date.

“I had a great time at the tour of the royal palace. Eduardo is such a cool and knowledgeable guy. Recommend.”

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Madrid Historic Centre Food Tour with Authentic Tapas & Wines - Ham, Manchego, and olive oil at a historic deli
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Madrid Historic Centre Food Tour with Authentic Tapas & Wines

3.Madrid Historic Centre Food Tour with Authentic Tapas & Wines

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 814 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $78

Walk Madrid’s old center with a local guide such as Jorge, Jo, or Ignacio, stopping for a historic pastry, Iberian ham, Manchego, squid sandwich, tapas, vermouth, cider, and Spanish tortilla. Choose a shorter tasting or the fuller three-hour version with extra meats, olive oil, sangria, or beer.

“This was a wonderful time! Jorge was amazing. We loved touring with Jorge because he had such expansive knowledge of Spain/Madrid and the food within it. We took this tour about halfway into our trip, and every food option was new to us. Jorge took us to places that had practically all locals (a good sign!). It was cool to try things that only locals may know about. Our knowledge of the Spanish language has restricted us a bit in where/what we eat, and Jorge was able to bridge that gap for us with this tour. We tried things we never would have tried on our own - and they…”

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Madrid in a Day Tour:Royal Palace, Historic Center & Prado Museum - The Prado Museum: two hours with Spain’s great painters
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Madrid in a Day Tour:Royal Palace, Historic Center & Prado Museum

4.Madrid in a Day Tour:Royal Palace, Historic Center & Prado Museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 628 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $119

Start at the Goya monument, then tour Prado masterpieces, walk through Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, and finish at the Royal Palace. An English-speaking guide such as David, Anna, Ernesto, or Carlos provides art, royal, and city context. Choose early Prado access if offered.

“A lot of walking but done at a manageable pace. The 1 1/2 hour Prado highlights tour was eye opening with our guide Carlos' knowledge and explanations. The Royal Palace is stunningly opulent and the walk between the 2 locations through Old Madrid especially Plaza Mayor is a nice tour in itself.”

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Guided Tour of Madrid of the Austrias and the Historic Center - Starting under the bear at Puerta del Sol
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Guided Tour of Madrid of the Austrias and the Historic Center

5.Guided Tour of Madrid of the Austrias and the Historic Center

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 520 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Walk Madrid’s historic center with an English-speaking guide such as Marta, Dina, Carlotta, or Esmeralda. Expect stories, visual teaching aids, and seven central stops, including Plaza Mayor, San Miguel Market, Almudena Cathedral, and the Royal Palace. You stay outside the paid sights.

“If you want a tour with history and exercise this is the one for you. Our host left all of us with a better understanding of Madrid’s history.”

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From Madrid: Old Town Toledo Tour with Optional Activities - The Mirador del Valle photo stop
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From Madrid: Old Town Toledo Tour with Optional Activities

6.Old Town Toledo Tour with Optional Activities

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 403 reviews · 8 hours · from $32

Travel by air-conditioned coach from Madrid to Toledo for a panoramic stop, guided Old Town walk, and free time. Add a monument pass for up to seven sites or zip along San Martin’s Bridge. Bilingual guides lead the walk, while monument visits are self-guided.

“I did not make so much use of the bracelet pass- cathedral entry did not included in the bracelet free entries and I did not know that when I booked. Some of the attractions are closed on Mondays. Maybe the tour guidance needs to be extended to explain the main sightseeings. Professional and safe transportation.”

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Segway Private Tour in the Historic Center of Madrid - Plaza Mayor and Madrid’s changing center
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Segway Private Tour in the Historic Center of Madrid

7.Segway Private Tour in the Historic Center of Madrid

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 310 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $42

You’ll learn to ride a Segway, then explore Madrid’s old center with a private English-speaking guide. Routes can last one to three hours and may include Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, Puerta del Sol, and El Retiro Park. Guides such as Cristina, Rocio, and Valentin add local context.

“Riding a Segway is a blast! We had to change the tour from a Madrid city center tour to a Retiro Park tour due to construction and crowds, so I subtracted one star. The guides, Valentin and Evans, showed us their favorite places in the park, which was fun.”

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Tour "Madrid of the Austrias" | Old Town ❤️ - Plaza Mayor: grand scale and complicated past
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Tour “Madrid of the Austrias” | Old Town ❤️

8.Tour “Madrid of the Austrias” | Old Town ❤️

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 304 reviews

Walk Madrid’s historic center with guides such as Carlota, Félix, Dina, Marta, or Paola, stopping at Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, San Miguel Market, the cathedral, Royal Palace, and Teatro Real. Expect stories, legends, and plenty of history in a small group of up to 15.

“We took the Madrid of the Austrias tour with Carlotta. She was informative and entertaining, giving us facts in a fun way. We learnt a lot about Madrid and its relationship with the Hapsburgs and saw many interesting sites in Madrid at the samRead more”

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Madrid Historical Centre & Old Town Walking Tour in French - Plaza Mayor and the public face of old Madrid
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Madrid Historical Centre & Old Town Walking Tour in French

9.Madrid Historical Centre & Old Town Walking Tour in French

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 129 reviews · from $33

Discover Madrid’s historic core in French with a guide such as Leire or Abdul, depending on the departure. In 2.5 hours, you’ll walk from Puerta Cerrada past Plaza Mayor, San Miguel Market, the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, Plaza de la Villa, and San Ginés.

“Brilliant tour by our very animated guide Abdul. Fantastic English. Very clear and easy to understand as well as being extremely entertaining. Highly recommended.”

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Madrid: Old Town, Poets District, and Royal Palace Tour - Plaza de Santa Ana and the city’s theatrical side
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Madrid: Old Town, Poets District, and Royal Palace Tour

10.Old Town, Poets District, and Royal Palace Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 128 reviews · from $44

Spend three hours walking from Lope de Vega’s former home through Madrid’s Las Letras district, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa before ending at the Royal Palace. Guides may include Cesar, Timka, Pauli, or Osmel, with tours offered in English, Spanish, Italian, or German.

“Our tour guide Timka was really nice. She explained everything in great detail. We learned a lot about the history and the artistic side of the city.”

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Private: Madrid Historic Centre Food Tour with 10+ Authentic - Puerta del Sol: meeting at Madrid’s central marker
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Private: Madrid Historic Centre Food Tour with 10+ Authentic

11.Private: Madrid Historic Centre Food Tour with 10+ Authentic

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 97 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $405

Meet Jorge or another English-speaking guide at Puerta del Sol for a three-hour private food walk. Taste Iberian ham, manchego, tortilla, patatas bravas, squid sandwich, vermouth, cider, wine, and more while passing Plaza Mayor, San Ginés, and Mercado de San Miguel.

“Jorge was great, he was extremely informative and accommodating. There is a lot of information, it is probably better to schedule this tour early on in your trip as you get information about where to go and what to do in Madrid.”

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Essential Madrid: Walking Tour of the Historic Center - The Moorish Wall and Madrid’s earliest chapter
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Essential Madrid: Walking Tour of the Historic Center

12.Essential Madrid: Walking Tour of the Historic Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 58 reviews · 2 hours · from $22

Start at All Ways Madrid and walk through Madrid’s medieval and royal center. You’ll see the Moorish Wall, Almudena Cathedral, Royal Palace, Teatro Real, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa while a live English or Spanish guide explains the city’s past and points out places to eat.

“El personal muy puntual, servicial, la guía en específico muy conocedora de la historia. Excelente, me encantó”

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Madrid: Royal Palace, Prado Museum & Historic Center Tour - Meeting at Goya outside the Prado
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Madrid: Royal Palace, Prado Museum & Historic Center Tour

13.Royal Palace, Prado Museum & Historic Center Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 50 reviews · 4 hours · from $117

Start at Goya’s statue, then follow your guide through Prado masterpieces, Madrid’s medieval center, and the Royal Palace. Small groups cap at 16 people, with private tours and VIP early Prado entry available. Guides such as Daniel, Jamie, Ernesto, and Ana have led this art-packed walk.

“This tour was well worth the investment. Able to see with a guide the royal palace and see the high points of the Prado.”

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Private Night Tour on Foot through the Historic Center of Toledo - Plaza Santo Domingo el Real and the feeling of old Toledo
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Private Night Tour on Foot through the Historic Center of Toledo

14.Private Night Tour on Foot through the Historic Center of Toledo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $177

Join a local, officially accredited English-speaking guide such as Enrique, Fernando, or Ana for a private two-hour night walk from San Juan de los Reyes to City Hall Square. Expect quiet lanes, Jewish quarter history, El Greco connections, archaeological remains, and striking views of the lit cathedral.

“Fernando was an engaging and warm guide, showing us the backstreets of a fascinating city. Since the well known landmarks are not open in the evening, we learned about life in Toledo over the ages and enjoyed stunning views of the well-lit cathedral (much better than during the day).”

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Madrid Old Town Private Walking Tour - The best view of Madrid’s Cathedral
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Madrid Old Town Private Walking Tour

15.Madrid Old Town Private Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $77

Walk Madrid’s old town for about 90 minutes with an English-speaking guide such as María, Belén, Stefania, Alex, or Fernando. See royal landmarks, historic churches, old squares, and the best Cathedral viewpoint. Groups are capped at 10, and the tour ends at Puerta del Sol.

“Our guide was fantastic, excellent English, great sense of humour combined with wonderful honesty. The Palace/King was evidently hosting a tremendous event so we loved the excitement that was creating. The headsets were a stroke of absolute genius, one didn’t miss a word - no matter how far behind one lagged! We could have happily toured for longer with our lovely guide.”

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New in Madrid Old Town Tours

★ 4.5Private Tour: Madrid Walking Tour of Los AustriasFrom $2183 reviews
★ 4.5Madrid Segway Fun Tour: Old Town HighlightsFrom $457 reviews
★ 5.0Imperial Madrid: Royal Palace and the Habsburg dynasty in MadridFrom $2125 reviews
★ 5.0Old Town tour including Castle visit5 reviews
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★ 4.31.5-Hour Old Town Highlights Segway TourFrom $468 reviews

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