What are the best bike tours in Madrid?
I really like exploring Madrid on a Bike. It is a great way to see parts of the city you normally wouldn’t and it also gets my cardio out of the way and keeps me healthy.
Cycling in Madrid also helps you avoid the crowds, and the sidewalks can be pretty busy when you are walking around the center, and it will take you longer to get around ad see your favorite sites.
There are many parts of Madrid, especially in the center that are not accessible by car, and you wont see some of these places if you take a Bus Tour so a Bike tour is a great way to experience Madrid like a local and see some of the lesser known sites.
There are many options to choose from, and in this article I want give you some of the best bike routes, tips on how to stay safe when cycling in Madrid. I will also give you some options for the best bike tours in Madrid. If you’re in a rush, here is a quick list of my top picks for bike tours in Madrid:
The Best Overall – Sightseeing E-bike tour of Madrid
The Best Self-Guided – Self Guided Bike Tour Of Madrid
Cheapest Madrid Bike Tour – Vintage Bike Tour of Madrid
Best Private Tour – Private Bike Tour of Madrid
My 6 reasons to take a bike tour in Madrid?
Bike tours are something I always do with friends when they come over to visit. It is a fun activity, and a really good way to make the most of your time and explore the city in a unique and active way. Here are some of my top reasons why you should consider taking a bike tour of Madrid:
1 You get a locals perspective: Bike tours are led by local guides knowledgeable about the cities culture, history and landmarks. They can provide you with anecdotes and insights that you would not find in a guidebook.
In the center of Madrid, there are many squares, churches, historical architecture you can only see by going down some narrow roads that you cannot get to by car. Travelling around on a bike gives you the chance to see these gems you would otherwise miss.
It’s not always the location, but how you get there sometimes, and its really fun sightseeing while on a bike tour in Madrid. You get a deeper involvement and enjoy the city a little more from a different viewpoint.
2 You’ll cover more ground: You will travel much more ground if if you are travelling on a bike. All of the most popular landmarks in Madrid are scattered around the center, and cycling will make it much easier to see more of the city in a much shorter time-
You also get to see some of the less accessible locations by foot, and you can take detours through parks and ride along the river. If you are short for time, bike tours in Madrid are a great way to be more efficient and get the most out of your trip.
3 Keeps you active: We can all be a little guilty of not keeping up with our fitness when on holiday, maybe eat or drink more than we should, so this is a great way to get some exercise in.
A bike tour in Madrid is a great way to to stay active whilst on holiday in Madrid. Explore the city, have some fun and get your workout in all at the same time. A win-win situation on all fronts.
4 Environmentally Friendly: Biking in a busy city is also a way to do your part and reduce your carbon footprint while travelling. It is a eco-friendly and sustainable way to explore Madrid without contributing to the air pollution.
With over 330 days of sunshine in Madrid, the weather is very good for bike rides and being outside in general. But be sure to take a bottle of water and wear a hat to keep you safe from the sun.
5 Meet fellow travelers: Bike tours are a social activity, and this gives you the chance to meet people from other parts of the world. A great way to make some new friends and share experiences and advice on trips you may take in the future.
I made a friend when I first moved to Madrid on a bike tour, and we are still friends to this day and actually work out together. Never know where you will find a likeminded friend.
Options for Bike Tours in Madrid
Guided Tours: Guided bike tours in Madrid are a great choice if you want to see, but also learn about the city. You are accompanied by by a knowledgeable guide that takes you on a route to see the cities most popular landmarks. You learn about the culture and history of the landmarks you visit, and are treated to some hidden gems you would not normally come across.
Self-Guided Tours: A self guided tour in Madrid is an option for those who want to travel around the city on bike at their own pace. There are many ple-planned routes you can choose from. Exploire the cities most loved landmarks, take a ride around a park or a long the river. I will include some of the best cycling routes in the city if you decide to take this option.
Unless you are bringing your own bike, you will need to rent a bike in Madrid. If you choose to rent a bike, I would advise using one of these options:
- BiciMadrid: This is a public bike service available to everyone and there are stations all around the city, so you don’t have to worry about returning it to the same place. You will need to register at bicimad or download the app before you can rent a bike though. The app also has a route planner function, very helpful.
- Rent & Roll: Rent & Roll is a private bike rental company right by Retiro Park (and other points around the city). They have mountain bikes, road bikes, electric bikes all available to you on the day, no booking needed.
Electric/Ebike tours: E-Bike tours are becoming more popular, especially in the hotter months. Madrid can get pretty warm, and having an electric bike can save you from sweating too much while cycling for extended periods. You also get around quicker meaning you see more, so a great choice when looking for Madrid bike tours.
Popular Bike Tour Routes in Madrid
If you decide to rent a bike and go out on your own, you don’t just want to hit the main roads in Madrid. There are not many designated bike paths, and sure you can use the roads, but I feel drivers here are not that used to cyclist yet. So I want to give you a few options of bike routes in Madrid that are pleasant and keep you away from and danger on the roads.
1 Retiro Park: If you are in the center of Madrid, then Retiro park is the closest and best bike route to take. The paths in the park are long and wide, and with all there is to see in Retiro, you could spend most of the day there. I cannot count how many times I have been here with the kids and enjoyed the whole day here.
Cycle around for a bit, stop at the library, the crystal palace, go take a nap by the lake or rest up on the grass. There is so much to do in Retiro, and having a bike to get around makes it easier to see more than you would walking.
2 Madrid Rio: Madrid Rio is a bike path that stretches 10km along the Manzanares river. The path will take you over bridges, through various parks. You will also come across the Matadero Cultural Center, a major Madrid landmark.
This path is a great option if you have time, and its also a really good choice if you have younger kids and you want to take them out on the bikes. Make sure you pack a lunch and take a water bottle too.
3 Casa De Campo: Casa de Campo is the largest park in all of Madrid sprawled over 1,700 hectares. The park has bike paths, lakes, forest, picnic areas and so much more. You can rent bikes from bike rentals companies right there outside the entrances to the parks, or take your own.
This park is really good if you want to fit a bit of nature in your trip to Madrid, or if you want to find something to do with the kids, you can spend the whole day here.
So these are my choices for the best bike routes if you are not going to be joining a Madrid bike tour. Go grab yourself a rental bike and get to exploring. Now let me give you my choices for the best bike tours in Madrid. There are many many options, but I have found these are the best value for money.
1 Highlights of Madrid by Bike Tour
This tour is planned to take you around the center of Madrid and show you the most popular sites and landmarks the city has to offer like the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor. You will stop from time to time on the tour to listen to the guide give you some information on the sites, and also for a little rest.
The meeting point will be at Rent & Roll located in front of the ¨Cason del buen retiro¨. If you are going with kids, the minimum age is 13 years old.
The route is as follows:
- Parque del Retiro: You will spend about 15 minutes in the Park, you will see a few of the most important monuments and statues and the gorgeous flower gardens.
- Cibeles Fountain: The famed fountain located in the center of Plaza de Ciebeles surrounded by some of the most important buildings in the capital
- Puerta del Sol: Where all roads in Madrid begin, the kilometer 0, the bear and tree statue and Tio Pepe.
- Plaza Mayor: A lot of history in this one. The main square of Madrid where the inquisition took place in public! some interesting stories here.
- Royal Palace: See the largest functioning palace in all of Europe in pristine condition surrounded by amazing gardens.
- Almudena Cathedral: Madrid´s very own cathedral, but don’t be fooled by the beauty. You will find out about it tortuous history.
- Mercado la Cebada: This is a really large market in one of the most vibrant and hip areas of Madrid, la Latina, come back and see more of here if you have the time.
- Barrio de las Letras: Finish up the tour in the area where some of Spain’s and the worlds most famous authors once lived.
What’s Included:
- Duration of tour is 3.5 hours
- Professional Bilingual Guide
- Helmet + Bottle of water
- Electric Bike
2 Electric Bike Tour Madrid
This is probably one of the best bike tours in Madrid. You get to cover a lot of ground, you see some of the sites in the center of Madrid, cycle along the Madrid Rio and also get to see some of Case de Campo. So you get to experience three of the best bike routes Madrid has to offer in one afternoon.
Also, this is an E Bike tour in Madrid, so you wont be sweating and out of breath. The motor does most of the work for you and you get to enjoy the fresh air and take in all the sites. The meeting point is at Puerta del Sol, you will pass by Ciebeles and the tour itself begins at Retiro Park.
The route is as follows:
- Parque del Retiro: The park actually used to be private and owned by the monarchy. In the late 19th century it was given to the public. You start the tour here and see some of the most famous landmarks in this gorgeous park.
- Atocha Station: A grandiose and gorgeous building that houses a train station. If you have the time, you have to go inside to see the garden they have created inside the station.
- Parque Madrid Rio: Close to the center, this park runs alongside the Manzanares river, a welcome breeze on a hot day.
- Casa de Campo: At 1,700 hectares, this is the largest park in Madrid and used to be hunting ground. You will really like the open green spaces, a change from the city.
- Plaza de España: You spend quite a lot of time in the parks previous, so the remaining landmarks will be a pass by, but you still get to see the sights and get information about them.
- Royal Palace of Madrid: (Pass By)
- Almudena Cathedral: (Pass By)
- Plaza de San Miguel: (Pass By)
- Plaza Mayor: The tour finishes up here in the main square of Madrid.
What’s Included:
- Duration of tour is 3 hours
- English Speaking Guide
- Tour of the historic Madrid
- Helmet + Bottle of water
3 Private customizable bike tour Madrid
This tour will take you around all of the main sites and give you in depth detail about each one. Some to mention are the Retiro Park, Puerta del Sol, Royal Palace, Plaza de Oriente, Plaza Mayor, barrio de las Letras, Plaza Santa Ana.
These are just the basic main sites. Your local guide will take you to lesser know sites, squares, gardens, and as this is a customizable tour, you can let the guides know before the tour if there are any places you would like to visit in particular, and they will amend the route to accommodate your request.
The route mainly follows bike routes, pedestrian zones and parks so no need to feel uncomfortable about being on the road, these guides know what they are doing.
The meeting point for the tour is at Calle de Santiago, 8, 28013 Madrid, and also finishes back here.
What’s Included:
- Duration of tour is 3 hours
- English Speaking Guide
- Tour of popular sights + your choice
- Helmet + Bottle of water
- Child seats available
4 Bike Tour chasing the best Sunset in Madrid
So we know it can get pretty warm in Madrid, and you may prefer to save the bike ride for the evening. Well we have you covered too. When my mom comes to visit, She is really not a fan of the heat, so we took an evening bike ride. If you want to avoid too much sun exposure, this is a great choice for a bike ride in Madrid.
The cool think about this tour is, it is times for you to see the sunset from one of the best viewpoints in Madrid, Parque del Oeste. The groups are small and kept to a maximum of 15. Along the journey, your guide will give you information on the history and culture of the sites and city.
The meeting point will be at Wonder Tours (Tour Operator), Calle de Santiago, 18, 28013 Madrid at 7.00 pm.
The route is as follows:
These are the main sites you will be stopping at, but along the route you will see a lot of the major landmarks and hear information about each one.
Templo de Debod
You will start the tour visiting Templo de Debod, a real Egyptioan temple in the heart of Madrid. This temple was built in Egypt over 2000 years ago and relocated to Spain as a gift. You will spend some time here learning about the temple, and you also get an amazing view over the city from here, a great photo op.
Royal Palace of Madrid
135,000 square meters, 3418 rooms, did I mention it is the largest working palace in Europe? The Royal Palace is the official residence of the Spanish Ryal Family. It is mostly used for ceremonies now, but it is quite a sight to behold.
Parque del Oeste
This beautiful green park used to be the main landfill of the city. Thankfully the city decided to do something against this in the early 20th century, cleaned it up and now it is one of the most beloved landscapes of Madrid. You will get here just in time to see the sun setting over the city, it really is a beautiful sight.
What’s Included:
- Duration of tour is 2 hours
- English Speaking Guide
- Tour of Madrid in the evening
- Helmet + Bike
5 Sightseeing E-bike tour of Madrid
This tour gives you really good value for your money and time, In the three hours the out lasts, you get to see over 20 of the most famous landmarks in Madrid. You will be using an electric bike, so with less effort and more speed you get to see so much more of the city.
To see all of the sites you will on this tour would be impossible to do so on foot in such a short period of time. Not to mention the sore feet you would have and the sweat you would work up. You just have to pedal gently, let the motor do the work for you and enjoy the sites.
The meeting point is at Wonder Tours, Calle de Santiago, 18, 28013 Madrid.
The route is as follow:
Calle Mayor – Plaza Mayor – Plaza de Santa Ana – Calle de las Huertas – Paseo Del Prado – Caixa Forum – Prado National Museum – Iglesia de Jeronimos – Retiro park – Puerta de Alcala – Plaza de Cibeles – Puerta del Sol – Teatro Real – Plaza De Oriente – Royal Palace – Sabatini Gardens – Almudena Cathedral – Plaza de Villa – Plaza de Ramales – Plaza De San Miguel
What’s Included:
- Duration of tour is 3 hours
- English Speaking Guide
- Tour of Madrid in the evening
- Helmet + E-Bike
- City map
6 Self Guided E-Bike Tour Of Madrid
Maybe you are already familiar with the city and want to take a bike ride at your own pace. The self guided bike tour of Madrid gives you the freedom to do so. You can rent an E-bike and pedal at your own pace for 8 hours. It’s a really good option for a family day out in Madrid. You don’t have to keep up with a guide, and you can stop off for longer at the places you like the most.
When you go to collect your E Bikes, you are given the bike, a city map, a helmet and a bike lock. This is handy if you decide to stop for a drink or do a little more exploring so you don’t have to worry about the bike being stolen. You can see quite a lot in 8 hours. If you need some ideas on what to see, you can check out this post.
Meeting point: C. de los Jardines, 12, 28013 Madrid, Spain
What’s Included:
- Rental E-bike for 8 hours
- City Map
- Helmet + E-Bike
- Bike lock
7 Vintage Bike Tour Of Madrid
If you want value for money, this is a great option for a bike tour. It’s really cool because you don’t get just any bike you get to ride around Madrid on a vintage bike. Now when I say vintage, these are not old bikes. They are new, just designed with a vintage aesthetic.
The tour lasts around 3 hours, and takes you around the most famous landmarks and neighborhoods of Madrid center. These bikes also make for really good photo opportunities, great to look back on. The guides are really nice and they give you all the general and historical information about the sites, but also share their own personal anecdotes and facts about the city.
During the three hour tour, you will see the following main sites, and much more:
Caixa Form – Los Jeronimos Churh – Retiro Park – Puerta de Alcala – Gran Via – Puerta del Sol – Calle Mayor – Royal Palace Of Madrid – Almudena Cathedral – Plaza de Villa – Mercado San Miguel – Plaza Mayor – Barrio de Las Letras
Meeting point: C. de Moratín, 29, 28014 Madrid, Spain
What’s Included:
- 3 hour bike tour of Madrid
- Bottle of water
- Helmet +Bike
- Infant seats available
Safety tips when cycling in Madrid
Cycling through Madrid is a very fun and convenient way to get to know the city, but you always need to make sure you are staying safe at all times. I cycle around Madrid all the time, so I want to give you some tips for cycling safely in Madrid:
- Wear a helmet: You may not think it looks cool, but you should always protect your head in case of an accident, and a bonus is it will protect you from the sun.
- No Headphones: You are not allowed to wear headphones when cycling in Madrid. Always stay alert and be prepared to react to unexpected situations.
- Use bike lanes: There are many bike lanes and a big network of them in the center of Madrid. Use the bike lanes where possible.
- Follow traffic rules: Cyclists are subject to the same traffic regulations as cars in Madrid, so pay attention to the signs and signals.
- Stay Visible: You should always be visible to others using the roads. Wear bright colored clothing, and if possible a reflective material.
- Avoid busy streets: You should avoid the bigger busier roads in the center of Madrid. Many of them do not have a bike lane, and you share with taxi’s and buses. So where possible try and avoid these busier roads.
Frequently asked questions
I have done my best to give you as much information for you to make the best choice when booking a bike tour in Madrid, but you still may have some questions that need answering before you commit. I will give you the answer to some of the questions I wanted answers too before I picked a tour and hope it helps you out.
How much do bike tours in Madrid cost?
Prices of Bike tours in Madrid vary depending on what you want to get out of the tour, how long it will last, the type of bike etc. If you want a guide to be present in a group setting, expect to pay anything from €25 – €40. A private bike tour of Madrid will start from €40 up to €90.
What is included in a Madrid bike tour?
All bike tours in Madrid include the use of a bike or an e-bike, depending on your booking and you are always given a helmet. Some tours will provide you with a bottle of water, a city map, a bike lock or a treat, but check this in the terms before you make your booking.
Are children allowed on bike tours in Madrid?
Kids are definitely allowed on most of the bike tours. Some tours will have age limitations, but the limit is usually around 10-13 years of age. Some of the tours even include baby seats if necessary, so it is always best to check with the provider of your booking, or check in the terms for any restrictions.
If you are going to cycling with young children, I would say it is best to book a tour like the Retiro Bike Tour because it is much safer and you never go on a road.
How long does a typical bike tour of Madrid last?
A bike tour in Madrid can be as long as 4 hours, or a quick 45 minute whizz through the city. If you want to get the most out of a bike tour, and not have to rush then a tour lasting 2+ hours is a perfect choice.
Are there any safety concerns for cycling in Madrid?
The bike tours in Madrid are really safe, they are pre planned routes and around the center drivers are accustomed to seeing these large groups of cyclist and know how to share the road.
Some of the tours take place at night and also have some of the busier roads in the city in the route, so if you have no experience riding a bike in a busy city, opt for the tours that stick to the smaller roads. As long as you stay alert and don’t try and pull off any X Games moves, you will be just fine.
What if there is bad weather?
Depending on the season, you can get rainy days here Madrid. In case of bad weather, if it becomes an issue of safety, then the tour operator will generally offer you a refund, a change of date or offer you another tour.
What kind of bike should I use for cycling in Madrid?
This depends on preference and fitness levels. If you just want to relax and see some of the sites, then an E-bike is going to be the best option to you exert the least amount of effort. If you want to see some sites and get in some good cardio, then a manual bike will be the choice for you.
In conclusion about Madrid bike tours
Madrid city is a great city to see on bike. With so much beautiful architecture, huge green parks, wide boulevards, squares, monuments, the city just has so much to explore and it makes it easier and more efficient on a bike. There are many different choices of Madrid bike tours, whether you want to have a day out alone, with your partner or you are looking for something to do with kids in Madrid, there is a tour for everyone.
Just remember to always stay safe, wear a helmet, bright clothes, sunscreen and keep your eyes peeled when on the roads. You will have a great time on any of these tours, and I hope you have as good a time as I always do discovering Madrid on a bike.
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