Madrid is one of the most beautiful cities in the world in my opinion. There is so much to see, from the amazing architecture of the past and present, the parks and gardens littered all over the city, fountains, museums and so much more to see.
One of the best ways to experience all Madrid has to offer is on foot, and walking tours in Madrid are very good at offering you a predefined route so you can see some of the main sites in a short period of time, while also getting some information on each point of interest.
If you go on a walking tour in Madrid, it will last up to a couple of hours, and it is a good way to get to know the city in a short amount of time, make some notes and then go back and visit some of your favorite spots in more detail. You can also meet other people with similar interests and might even strike up a friendship
In this article, we will take an in-depth look at free walking tours in Madrid, including their pros and cons and a FAQ section.
All of the best walking tours in Madrid
What are free walking tours?
Free walking tours are guided tours that are offered for free, but the participants usually leave a little tip for the guide as they rely on this to make their living. It is not mandatory to tip a tour guide, and you should only really do so if you enjoyed and found the tour valuable.
The tours will have a predefined route, you will meet up at a specified point in the city close to the center and the tour guide will give you an overview of the tour, and talk a little to get comfortable and familiar with the group. Then you are guided and stop at each landmark for a few minutes. You are given some history and info until you move on to the next stop.
There are different types of tours as well. You have free walking tours in Madrid where you just walk around, see the sights, get some info and carry on with your day. There are some walking tours that culminate in a pub crawl, and can be a lot of fun. It all depends on what you want to get out of the tour, there is something for everyone
These tours are usually conducted by locals who are passionate about their city and its history, and they offer a unique perspective that you may not get from a traditional tour guide. By nature of living in the city, the tour guides will be able to let you know lesser known local information, and give you tips on the best places to visit in Madrid.
Pros and cons of free walking tours in Madrid
Pros:
Affordable: Free walking tours are a great way to explore the city without breaking the bank. You only need to pay for any optional expenses, such as food or drinks and leave a tip for the guide at the end if you choose to.
Knowledgeable guides: The guides are locals and know the city better than most, and they offer unique insights and perspectives that you may not get from a traditional tour guide not from the city.
Social experience: Free walking tours are a great to meet likeminded people in a foreign city. You may strike up a friendship or meet someone special, you never know.
Off-the-beaten-path locations: Free walking tours usually cover lesser-known routes and landmarks you otherwise would not be aware of.
Cons:
Limited customization: Free walking tours follow a set route, so you may not be able to customize the itinerary, but it’s a great way to get an overview of the city and you can visit places you enjoyed in more detail later on.
Large group sizes: Free walking tours can be crowded, so opt for walking tours where the maximum amount of people allowed is not too high.
Tip-based system: Although the tours are free, and tipping is not mandatory, if you enjoy the tour it is nice to leave a little tip for the guide. €2-5 is the kind of amount most people leave, but this is something entirely up to you.
So now we have talked a little about what to expect from a free walking tour in Madrid, I want to give you some options for the best walking tours in Madrid. I will include free, but also some paid walking tours that offer a more comprehensive guide to some well known Madrid landmarks.
1 Free Walking Tour of Madrid
At the indicated time, a meeting will be held in front of the statue of Carlos III in Puerta del Sol. The tour starts with a walk through the medieval part of the city, then Madrid de los Asturias. You will learn how Madrid was established as a city and hear about the most significant events up to present day.
During the 2.5-hour tour, some of the city’s most iconic streets, squares, and landmarks will be visited, including Almudena Cathedral, Plaza Mayor (one of the sites of the Spanish Inquisition), the Royal Palace (the largest functioning Royal Palace in Europe), and its statue-filled gardens in Plaza de Oriente.
Plaza de la Villa, which is one of Medieval Madrid’s main centers, the Opera House, and the Mercado de San Miguel, among many other places, will also be visited on the tour.
While wandering through Madrid’s fascinating historic center, you will hear interesting anecdotes about the capital’s past, traditions, and folklore, the palaces, convents, boulevards, and squares.
What’s Included:
- Duration of tour is 2 hours and 30 mins
- English Speaking Guide
- Tour of the most popular landmarks in the center of Madrid
- Meeting point at Puerta del Sol
2 Chueca and Malasaña Free Tour
You will meet up at Plaza de la Luna at the scheduled time by the San Martin de Tours church, and from here you set off to see one of Madrid’s most popular and hip neighborhoods.
The tour begins walking in the general direction of Malasaña passing by the Lara and Alfil theaters. On to the San Antonio de los Alemanes church, then the iconic Pez street where you can find some of the most typical Spanish bars in Malasaña.
Moving on to the heart of the neighborhood, Plaza del Dos de Mayo, a square surrounded by bars and artisans selling their wares on little stalls. This is where the Movida Madrileña of the 80’s was birthed. You will learn the history of this, and understand the importance this area has on the arts and culture of Madrid as a whole.
You then walk on to the History Museum of Madrid which is a brilliant photo opportunity with it’s Baroque façade. Then along Fuencarral down towards Chueca, another of the lively and hip areas of Madrid. On the way to Chueca you will see the San Ildefonso market and the church of San Anton and the convent of Las Recogidas.
You will walk around Chueca for a little while. There are so many bars and restaurants in this area, and it is also the center of the LGBTQ community of Madrid.
The tour culminates in the Plaza del Rey, and you will see the last point on the tour, the House of the Seven Chimneys and learn the history of the mysteries of this house.
What’s Included:
- Duration of tour is 2 hours
- English Speaking Guide
- Tour of the historic quarters of Madrid
- Meeting point at Plaza de La Luna
3 The Golden Age of Literature Free Tour
The meeting point for this tour is at Plaza de Santa Ana, and you are in for a treat of you are a fan of Spanish literature. You will be tracing the footsteps of great writers like Cervantes and Lopez de Hoyo.
As you set off, the first things you see are the Teatro Español, which was built on top of the famed open air theatre, the Correal de Principe. You will learn a little about the history of the original and the new theatre that now stands in its place.
Then after a short walk, you will be in the historic Barrio de las Letras (The neighborhood of letters). You will see the houses of Lopez de Hoyo and Cervantes, the Ateneo de Madrid and the statue of Cervantes in the Plaza de las Cortes. You will hear a really cool story about a time capsule that was put in to the statue.
You see many local landmarks on the way that are not noted, the basilica of Cristo de Medinaceli, and after around 2 hours of sightseeing, the tour finishes beside the convent of the Trinitarias Descalzas.
What’s Included:
- Duration of tour is 2 hours
- English Speaking Guide
- Tour of Chueca and Malasaña
- Meeting point at Plaza Santa Ana
4 Free Walking Tour of Modern Madrid
On this tour you will discover a lot about the history of Madrid, and get to see some of the most historic monuments of Madrid such as Puerta de Alcala, the Ciebeles Fountain and the Prado Museum.
The meeting point to kick off the tour is Puerta del Sol, where all roads in Spain begin. You set off from here to go and explore the 18th and 19th century architecture of Madrid.
You will learn how Madrid was transformed from an old town to the Vibrant city it is now, see the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando and the house of Congress along with all the other larger than life government buildings.
Moving on, you will see the iconic Prado Museum that houses some of the most important art works from all over the world like Picasso, Velazquez, El Greco and many more. A walk along the Paseo del Prado lined with all the museums and fountains is an experience in itself.
You will walk up toward and stop at the imposing Puerta de Alcala, one of remaining ancient royal gates that gave access to the city. You will also see and enter through one of the many large entrances to Retiro Park. You walk through the park until you get to the Alfonso XII monument, and after appx 2-2.5 hours, the tour ends at the Estanque de Retiro.
What’s Included:
- Duration of tour is 2 hours 15 mins
- English Speaking Guide
- Tour of modern Madrid
- Meeting point at Puerta del Sol
There are many free tours of Madrid, and I have gone through and picked the ones I feel will give you the best chance at seeing as many of the best sights in Madrid as possible in a short amount of time. Use the free Madrid tours to get an idea of the layout of the city, then go back and see the sites you would like to in more detail.
Paid Tours In Madrid
Other than the free tours, there are also some really good paid tours in Madrid. They are more specific to one or two locations where you get an in depth guide. You can also go on tours that start at a landmark, and end in a bar or a restaurant. I will give you some of the best options for paid tours in Madrid.
5 Spanish Civil War Tour
Want to learn a little more about the Spanish Civil war whilst walking through the streets where it actually took place? You will learn all about what life was like in the city between 1936 – 1939 on this guided tour of Madrid.
The tour kicks off by the Monumento a los Caídos del Cuartel de la Montaña, right by the Royal Palace. Over the next couple hours, you will see the Templo de Debod which is built on the grounds where the former Mountain Barracks used to stand.
Then along Ferraz and Princess street down to the Air Force Headquarters which stands on the former Model Prison that was bombed during the war. The guide will give you in depth details on all of these locations. It’s pretty cool to know what was there before and how they recovered to create these beautiful structures that now stand in their place.
Some of the history is pretty upsetting, when you learn how the people had to survive years of hunger, poverty, not knowing when the war was going to end, but it gives you perspective of how much the people of the city worked to get it to be the amazing city it is today.
The tour comes to an end at the Parque del Oeste, and you see the forts that still stand which were the front of many battles during the war. A great tour of Madrid for the history buffs.
What’s Included:
- Duration of tour is 2.5 hours
- English Speaking Guide
- Tour of Civil War era Madrid
- Meeting Point at Monumento a los Caídos del Cuartel de la Montaña
6 Mason Tour of Madrid
This is such a cool tour for those that like a bit of mystery. One of the most influential societies, the Freemasons have left their mark on the City of Madrid too. There are loads of messages hidden in plain sight in some of the squares and streets of Madrid that you get to discover on this tour.
This tour is an afternoon one, and you will be meeting in front of the Obelisk at the intersection of Bustamante and Paseo de las Delicias, right in front of Delicias train station.
After a little overview of the tour and some pleasantries, to tour begins with a walk along the Paseo de las Acacias where you stop by and hear about a secret tree planted by the freemasons. You also pass by the Piramides roundabout where you discover some hidden Egyptian and cryptic symbols you would never see if not shown.
Throughout the tour you are shown things that are in plain sight with deeper hidden meanings that really give you pause for thought. You learn about initiations, mysterious lodges around the city and the cryptic language of the Freemasons. This is cool, because for the rest of the duration of your trip to Madrid you may see one of these symbols carved in to a fountain and you have the knowledge to decipher it.
The tour ends at around 8.30pm in a small enclosure near to Paseo Imperial full of Masonic Symbols, and you are left with one last piece of info that’s really interesting, but I won’t spoil the reveal.
What’s Included:
- Duration of tour is 2.5 hours
- English Speaking Guide
- Tour of the history of Freemason’s in Madrid
- Meeting Point at Obelisk in front of Delicias train station
7 Madrid Ghost Tour
Want to hear some ghost stories about Madrid? hear about the tormented spirits that float on the streets? then you will really enjoy this tour. But you don’t have to believe in ghosts to enjoy the tour, seeing Madrid at night is beautiful and a great experience in itself.
The tour starts of in Plaza de Callao where you learn about some eerie stories about Calle Desegaño, Puerta del Sol and the Church of San Gine. Then about the white specter that has been sighted above the House of the Seven Chimneys.
Then on to Plaza de Ciebeles to hear the stories about the strange shadows and noises that are reportedly heard to this day in the Palacio de Linares.
The tour ends in Ciebeles in front of the town hall, a great photo opportunity as the town hall is lit up at night. A lot of the pretty buildings in Madrid are lit up at night, so the tour is worth it just to see how pretty Madrid is as a city in the evening.
What’s Included:
- Duration of tour is 2 hours
- English Speaking Guide
- Tour of Madrid at night time + some paranormal history
- Meeting Point at Plaza de Callao
8 Madrid Historical Walking Tour + Food Tasting and Dinner
Here is a really good plan to fill your evening in Madrid. You get to take a tour of the old city center, and see some of the most treasured landmarks in Madrid including Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace and learn a little history about it all.
If you are in Madrid in the summer, the tour begins in the evening so its cooler and more enjoyable to walk without the sun beating down. You stop at a number of Spanish bars trying out many types of the best Tapas and drinks the city has to offer.
The evening culminates in a four course meal where you can discuss the evenings events, maybe make some new friends, learn a little more about the city. But all in all a great plan for the afternoon in Madrid.
What’s Included:
- Duration of tour is 3-4 hours
- English Speaking Guide
- Food Tasting
- Dinner
- Meeting Point at Plaza de Isabel II
9 Madrid Walking Tour + The Royal Palace with Skip the Line Tickets
This is a great tour to get an overview of the city center and all its landmarks, and also see the Royal Palace in detail with a professional guide.
You start your tour at Puerta del Sol and walk on towards Opera with guide continuously talking about all the landmarks you are passing by, and giving you general historic information about Madrid. Once you have seen some of the main sites, you move on to the Royal Palace where you get to skip the line and see the largest functioning Palace in Europe.
The group sizes are capped at seven, so you get a much more intimate and personalized experience.
What’s Included:
- Duration of tour is 2-2.5 hours
- English Speaking Guide
- Official Mono Lingual Guide
- Tour of the center + Royal Palace Tickets (fast track)
- Official Mono Lingual Guide
- Meeting Point at Puerta del Sol
10 Walk Eat Spain Tours Madrid
Walk Eat tours in Madrid are ran by two long time expats living in Madrid. Margaret and Amy provide fun tours walking through Madrid giving you a history lesson. They also show you some of the best local places to eat and grab a drink and provide you with a lot of tips on how to get the best out of the city.
The walking tours are mostly around the Malasaña neighborhood, one of the most lively and hip of Madrid. They also arrange family friendly private tours of Madrid, and you can even customize your tour after a short chat and design a tour to suit what you would like to see and do.
These tours feel a lot more intimate and personalized to you. the atmosphere is very friendly, and you are guaranteed to have a good laugh.
11 The Wellington Society Tours of Madrid
The wellington society is ran by Stephen Jones, who runs this small tour company in Madrid leading small groups through the city providing amazing value for money. He has a few tours to choose from, and the Hemingway tour is pretty cool taking you to some of the places He would hang out in the time he lived in Madrid.
There is also a tour of Madrid including its history and all the main sites, a Museum and Arts tour. Its a great choice for a walking tour in Madrid with a little more of a personal touch. You will definitely thank Stephen for taking you to the famed sherry bar La Venencia.
In Conclusion
Surem you could come to Madrid and walk around on your own, and it would be pretty easy to do so. But if you want to get a more authentic experience, get a deeper understanding, see more of the culture with a local guide, then a walking tour of Madrid is a great option.
You may want to be in a group, get a private tour, see a particular landmark in more detail, there are so many options. As mentioned before, it is also a great way to get an overview of the city in a couple hours and you can come back to explore it all again in more detail, or even to meet some new friends whilst you are on holiday.
I have lived here for 10 years, and will go on one of these tours alone or with family pretty often because the walk around Madrid is always nice, you get to meet new people and its always a great time.
I hope this makes it easier for you to decide on what the best walking tour in Madrid is for you, and we would love to hear of your experiences, so drop a comment below.
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