Tours & activities in Madrid

Free Tour of Madrid

Book the original Madrid free walking tour and visit many of the city's highlights with a local guide

ABOUT THE Free Tour of Madrid

Taking in many of Madrid’s major landmarks, you’ll see the Royal Palace, Teatro Real (the Royal Opera House) and even the world’s oldest restaurant on this 3-hour Free Tour of Madrid’s must-see sites.

 

Your Madrid Free Tour starts in front of the Tourist Information Centre in Plaza Mayor and finishes by Plaza de Isabel II (Metro Ópera). We never cancel; tours run rain, hail or shine.

 

One of Europe’s most beautiful cities…

You’ll fall in love with Madrid and see it as the locals do – as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe! As well as the stunning San Miguel Market (one of Madrid’s gastronomic highlights) and the Plaza de la Villa (one of Madrid’s prettiest squares), your expert local guide will also introduce you to some of Madrid’s most iconic royal sites. See the famous Royal Opera House and marvel at the gorgeous Madrid Royal Palace.

…with some of the darkest days of Spanish history

Sadly though, it hasn’t all been happy royal families and majestic squares for Madrid. The city has seen its share of dark times, which your expert local guide will explain to you on this walking tour. The Madrid free tour starts in Plaza Mayor, where public torture and executions took place during the Spanish Inquisition, before taking you to the monument for the victims of the assassination attempt on King Alfonso III, when a homemade bomb disguised as a bouquet of flowers went off on his wedding day. You’ll also see the Almudena Cathedral, and hear about how the Spanish Civil War halted its construction.

 

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Image for meeting point

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

  • Visit the famous royal sites such as the Madrid Royal Palace and the Teatro Real Royal Opera House
  • Discover Madrid gastronomy with the origin of tapas, the San Miguel Market and the world’s oldest restaurant
  • Hear the tragic stories of the Spanish Inquisition
  • Find out about the assassination attempt on King Alfonso III on his wedding day
  • Learn about the impact of the Spanish Civil War on Madrid

TOUR SCHEDULES

Today
11:00 AM2:00 PM
11:00 AM3:00 PM
PHOTOS
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
  • Local English-speaking guide
What’s not included
  • Gratuities for the guide (optional)
Additional Information
  • Our business is connecting great guides and smart travelers, and we're proud that so many local guides employ us to welcome travelers like you on their journey through some of the world's best cities. No two tours are alike, and the sites, stories, and length of the tour will vary depending on what your freelance guide decides is best. That's why the tours we promote never get stale or feel scripted, and why both independent guides and savvy travelers prefer SANDEMANs
  • Wheelchair accessible
MAP
madrid free tour meeting point in Plaza Mayor
The Free Tour starts at Plaza Mayor, in front of the Tourist Information Centre Open in Google Maps
Royal Palace
Royal Palace
Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House
San Miguel Market
San Miguel Market
Plaza de la Villa
Plaza de la Villa
Almudena Cathedral
Almudena Cathedral
Tour start Tour starts here
End start Tour usually ends here
Tour usually covers

Customer reviews

What is a Free Tour?

 

The Free Tour is the best introduction to the city! A general overview tour including many of the highlights of the city, the Free Tour usually lasts around 2.5 hours and is provided by a local freelance guide in partnership with SANDEMANs NEW Europe, so tour content can vary depending on your guide’s particular area of interest and expertise.

The Free Tour is a walking tour with no need for public transport and is designed for independent travellers, not groups. You can book your spot in advance online or simply show up at the start point on the day. There is no payment necessary at the start of the tour but you are welcome to tip your guide at the end!

We believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of Madrid's best local freelance tour guides, who passionately share the city's history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style. They'll never pressure you to tip; we believe that, if money is given, it should be voluntary and in direct proportion to the quality of the tour and the budget of the traveller.

Why join a SANDEMANs FREE Tour?

  • The route covers many of Madrid's major landmarks
  • The meeting point is centrally located in Plaza Mayor
  • The Free Tour is guaranteed to fit within your budget
  • The guides performing tips-based Free Tours are incentivized to perform every time

WALKING TOURS & ACTIVITIES IN MADRID

  • All tours
  • Select Tour
  • Third Party Activity
  • Private Tour

Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.

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