Our tour of Madrid with Marta was fantastic! Walked through both very popular areas and lots of back streets to get a feel for all Madrid has to offer. And we were able to get some “secret” nun cookies from Monasteria del Corpus Christi!
Sites and Insights: An Expert-Led Madrid Welcome Tour
Your first taste of Madrid, side-by-side with a local guide
"Above and beyond"
"Carlos was an awesome guide. Encyclopedic knowledge of history, architecture, art. Best of all, he started the tour with a gift - a list of gluten free restaurants for me (celiac). Above and beyond!!! Highly highly recommend a tour with Carlos."
Maria P.
Maria P.
"Interesting and fun"
"Excellent tour! Adam was great. The family thought it was the most interesting and fun tour - perfect mix of history and stories and the pace was great."
Deborah J.
Deborah J.
Meet the Experts
Where You’ll Go
From iconic landmarks to tucked-away local favorites, these are the places you’ll explore and experience firsthand with your Expert.
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Plaza Mayor
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Madrid de los Austrias
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Royal Palace of Madrid (exterior)
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Puerta del Sol
What’s Included As Standard
Here’s a look at what your tour covers, plus anything you’ll want to consider arranging separately, so you can plan with confidence.
Included
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English-speaking expert guideTours led in English, offering you unbroken understanding throughout.
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Intentionally sized groupsA smaller group means more time for conversations and questions.
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Tickets and entrance feesAll entry tickets included (unless clearly stated otherwise).
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HeadsetsHeadsets are included on tours that need them, so every word can be heard.
Excluded
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GratuitiesWe encourage tipping as a way to thank your guide after your experience.
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Food and drinkRefreshments are only included during a tour when clearly noted.
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Transportation to and from the meeting pointGuests organize pre- and post-tour transport themselves - this service can be added by request.
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Hotel pickup or drop-offUnless noted, travel to or from accommodation isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
Where You'll Explore
Make the Most of Your Tour
Some helpful advice for getting the most from your experience, from practical prep to small on-the-day tips.
Dos:
- Wear comfortable footwear
- Check the weather and dress appropriately
- Bring a bottle of water (no glass)
- Feel free to ask your Expert anything
Don'ts:
- Bring firearms or weapons
- Bring sharp objects (e.g. knives, swiss army knives, switchblades, hiking sticks)
- Dress inappropriately to enter religious sites or sacred monuments
Any questions? You can always
contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend taking this tour early on during your stay in Madrid for a helpful orientation to the city. For comfort, especially in the summer months, a morning start time is advisable to avoid the worst of the heat.
Our tours run rain or shine. Please check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes suitable for walking on varied surfaces and don’t forget to bring an umbrella or raincoat if showers are expected.
The tour includes an exterior examination of the palace, but it does not go inside. For those interested in exploring the interior, we offer a dedicated Royal Palace of Madrid Tour.
We have a family-friendly Madrid for Kids tour specifically designed as part of our Family Program to engage children with the city's history and culture. It’s a shortened version of this itinerary.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Please be aware this walking tour includes narrow sidewalks and cobblestone streets which may present challenges for those with mobility concerns. We encourage you to inform us about any accessibility needs at the time of booking to accommodate you better.
Don’t just take our word for it
We spent a very pleasant and informative morning with Marta. It set us up very well for the rest of our stay in Madrid.
We had an outstanding experience with Carlos on the “Your Sights and Insights: An Expert-Led Madrid Welcome Tour.” From the moment we met him, it was clear we were in great hands. Carlos has an incredible depth of knowledge about Madrid, not just the history, but the stories, culture, and nuances that truly bring the city to life. Over the course of our three-hour private tour, he guided us through Madrid’s most important sites while seamlessly weaving in fascinating historical context, local insight, and thoughtful commentary that never felt scripted or rushed. What really set Carlos apart was his ability to tailor the tour to us. He was engaging, patient, and genuinely passionate about the city. He answered every question with enthusiasm and made sure we felt oriented and confident navigating Madrid afterward. This tour was the perfect way to start our time in the city, informative, enjoyable, and incredibly well paced. After the tour ended, Carlos continued to go above and beyond. He stayed in touch with us and generously offered his advice and recommendations for the other locations we had planned to visit. That level of care and follow-up truly set him apart and made a lasting impression. If you’re visiting Madrid and want more than just surface-level sightseeing, I cannot recommend Carlos highly enough. This tour genuinely elevated our experience in Madrid.
Let Your Curiosity Shape Your Journey
Join passionate experts on intimate walking tours that reveal a city’s unique stories, spark conversations, and leave you seeing the world—and yourself—a little differently.
Structured, never scripted
Your interests guide your Expert, leading to stories and perspectives that matter to you.
Crafted for conversation
With ten or fewer guests, ask questions, engage with your Expert, and fully immerse yourself.
Experts, not guides
Explore with 1,200+ Experts—from historians and architects to archaeologists and chefs.
