What is the cancellation policy for this tour?

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

How long does this tour take?

This tour lasts approximately 4 hours.

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

Q: Where does this tour start?

This tour starts at: Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets at Monumento a Goya, C. de Felipe IV, s/n, Retiro, 28014 Madrid, outside the entrance to the Prado Museum at the statue of Goya..

★★★★⯨ 4.8

4 hours

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Overview

Explore the best of Madrid with this expertly guided walking tour featuring skip-the-line tickets to the Royal Palace, one of Europe’s most breathtaking royal residences, and to the Prado Art Musuem - the cultural jewel of Spain. If you wish, choose the Prado Early Access option when booking for a VIP experience in the Prado Museum where you'll enjoy a guided tour of the galleries one hour before they open to the public. As you make your way through the stunning galleries of the Prado Museum, through the charming historic center, and wrap up at the grandiose Royal Palace, you'll be accompanied by an insightful local guide who will decode the city's lesser-known stories and hidden secrets every step of the way. And with a small group of just 16 guests maximum, you'll enjoy a more relaxed and intimate experience with easy access to your guide so you can ask them all your burning questions.

Gallery

Madrid in a Day Tour:Royal Palace, Historic Center & Prado Museum — photo 1

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Madrid in a Day Tour:Royal Palace, Historic Center & Prado Museum — photo 6

Madrid in a Day Tour:Royal Palace, Historic Center & Prado Museum — photo 7

What's Included

✓ Included

Local English-speaking guide
Plaza Mayor
Skip-the-line tickets and guided tour of Prado Museum
Puerta del Sol
VIP early access ticket to Prado Museum (if option selected)
Skip-the-line tickets and guided tour of Madrid Royal Palace

✗ Not Included

Hotel Pick-Up / Drop-Off
Gratuities

Itinerary

Stop 1

Your tour starts when you skip the line and enter the Prado art museum, home to one of the greatest collections of European art in the world. Breeze past the crowds and head straight inside to enjoy a full tour of the museum’s highlights. Along the way, you'll meet the masters who have defined Spanish art throughout the centuries, from the court painters of the Spanish Royal Family to legendary artists like Goya, Velazquez, El Greco, Bosch, Tintoretto and more. Your guide will tell you the stories behind the art and help you understand what makes each piece so celebrated—which just isn't possible to do on your own in a museum boasting over 1,000 pieces on display! If you wish, choose the Prado Early Access option for a VIP experience in the Prado Museum where you'll enjoy a guided tour of the galleries one hour before they open to the public.

Stop 2

Leaving the museum, you’ll walk the medieval streets of central Madrid, stopping at famous landmarks like the Plaza Mayor and the Puerta del Sol as your guide tells your story of how the city went from an outpost of a crumbling Moorish empire to the preeminent Catholic power in Europe. And while there's plenty of history to be found in these streets, today the area is one of the city's coolest neighborhoods. You'll also learn how to make the most of it during the rest of your stay as your guide shares tips on where to eat, shop, and relax.

Stop 3

Sightseeing & photo stop.

Stop 4

Stroll towards the heart-stopping Royal Palace, where you'll enter with skip-the-line tickets to explore an incredible collection of paintings and textiles in each room. On your guided visit of the world's largest in-use royal palace, you'll see the palace's impressive chapel, the king's and queen's dressing rooms, the throne room—where bureaucrats are still received by the king and queen today—and more. You'll also hear the story of Madrid's most famous "mayor", King Carlos III, who was instrumental in shaping the modern city you've gotten to know throughout the day.

Meeting & End Point

📍

Meeting Point

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets at Monumento a Goya, C. de Felipe IV, s/n, Retiro, 28014 Madrid, outside the entrance to the Prado Museum at the statue of Goya.

🏁

End Point

Outside Royal Palace of Madrid.

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Good to Know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
This tour is in English.
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
Sites on this tour are subject to occasional closures. If modifications are needed and time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour.
Walks and Devour comply with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up to date information.

Known For:

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Special Instructions

- Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time for check-in. Out of courtesy to other guests, we’re unable to wait for latecomers. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows.
- Photography is not permitted in most interior rooms of the Palacio Real and in Prado Museum.
- Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
- Please note drinks and food are not allowed inside the Prado Museum.
- Please note that guests may only carry small handbags inside Prado Museum. Larger backpacks, umbrellas and sharp items, etc. must be left at the cloakroom. It is the responsibility of the guest to return to the entrance to collect these after the tour part.
- Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
- Walks and Devour comply with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up to date information.