Visit Madrid, Spain’s vibrant multicultural capital, to discover its historic plazas and royal palaces, neoclassical churches and the winding streets of its Medieval quarter

 - Start your tour in Madrid’s bustling heart, Plaza Mayor (Main Square)
 - Stop at Puerta del Sol (Sun Gate) to photograph its famous bear statue and clock tower
 - Learn about Spain’s epic hike, the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James), at the Iglesia de Santiago (St James’s Church)
 - Explore Madrid’s Gothic heritage at Ramales and the Plaza de Oriente (Eastern Square)
 - Marvel at the grand Royal Palace and Royal Theatre
 - Stroll the medieval streets of the Barrio de la Latina (Latin Quarter)
 - Finish at Plaza de Santa Ana (Santa Ana Square), a food, culture and nightlife hotspot
 
Madrid is an ever-moving city filled with a mix of ancient history and modern life. In this mammoth capital, you’ll find everything from one of Europe’s richest art collections to grand royal palaces and maze-like medieval quarters lined with tapas bars and sweeping plazas. On this four-hour tour, a local expert will guide you through Madrid’s frenetic streets, introducing you to the city’s top sights.

Plazas, palaces and Gothic history

Begin your tour at Madrid’s main hub, the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), a renaissance square with a 400-year-old statue of King Phillip II surrounded by impressive porticoed buildings. You’ll learn about how this historic square has hosted everything from exotic markets to bullfights and even public executions and burnings during the Spanish Inquisition. There’s also a chance to stop at the nearby Puerta del Sol (Sun Gate) to see its iconic bear statue and clock tower

The Plaza de Santiago (St James’s Square) is a through-way on Spain’s famous 500-mile Camino de Santiago (Way of St James) pilgrimage hike across the country. Here, you’ll see the Iglesia de Santiago (St James’s Church), once one of the oldest churches in Madrid which was rebuilt in neoclassical style in the 19th century. It’s now time to explore Madrid’s 15th century Gothic quarter, Ramales, with its tranquil plaza home to the Reina Sofia (Queen Sofia) concert venue and resting place of the renowned artist Diego Velazquez

In the adjacent Plaza de Oriente (Eastern Square), your guide will introduce you to Madrid’s famous Royal Palace and the Royal Theatre, a world-class opera house. The plaza was designed by King Joseph I in 1844, its Medieval houses removed to make way for gardens and sculptures and of course, the royal buildings. Learn all about the palace, which is the largest in Western Europe and the official residence of the Spanish royal family

The life and soul of Madrid

As you come to the end of this epic, express tour of Madrid, you’ll navigate the snaking streets of the Barrio de La Latina (Latin Quarter), a medieval wonder. Discover narrow alleys lined with cafés, bars and restaurants, Moorish churches and pretty plazas. The tour concludes at the Plaza de Santa Ana (Santa Ana Square), one of Madrid’s most vibrant squares. Soak up the atmosphere of its traditional taverns and tapas bars, terrace cafés and boutiques

Searching for a quick, informative glimpse of Madrid? This tour is the perfect choice for your first visit to Madrid, taking in the city’s main areas and landmarks