Top Madrid Cultural Tours

In Spain, culture and cuisine are inextricable, but knowing where to find the hot spots is tough if you're a first-timer. Experience Madrid’s historical and culinary highlights on a group walking tour of its most storied tapas bars—plus some top sights and hidden gems as well. Learn things about tapas culture you can only get from locals, and sample specialities washed down with Spanish wine, vermouth, and more. Add even more food and culture to your day with an upgrade to Botin, the world's oldest running restaurant.

Madrid’s Prado Museum (Museo Nacional del Prado) is home to one of the most important art collections in the world, but its long lines to enter and vast size can be discouraging. Zip past the crowds and follow your guide to admire masterpieces by Velázquez, el Greco, Goya, Tiziano, Rubens, and others in less than two hours with this skip-the-line tour available in English, Spanish, and Italian.

Get unparalleled access to the world of flamenco with these pre-booked admission tickets, and enjoy an intimate evening dance performance. Skip the distraction of meal service and focus on the dancing. Unlike other venues, this dance space features only three rows of seating, so you’re sure to get close-up views of the emotion-charged stage. Entry tickets include one complimentary drink.

Discover the history of Madrid—hearing stories, facts, and insights from a local professional guide—on this walking tour. Gain a new understanding of this important city and its history as you see highlights and landmarks including Plaza Mayor, the world’s oldest restaurant Sobrino de Botin, Plaza de la Villa, and Teatro Real, all in a few hours.

Learn about Spanish food and culture through its world-famous food on this small-group, half-day walking tour of Madrid’s most charming neighborhoods. Taste several dishes and beverages—including the famous Iberian ham—enough for a breakfast and hearty lunch, at local eateries, stores, and market stalls as you sip, snack, and slurp your way through the city.

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.

Visit Segovia, Ávila, and Toledo—three cities that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites—on a full-day tour from Madrid that features ancient battlements, a soaring cathedral, a historic monastery, and more. Coordinated tours and transport make the most of your travel time so you can cover more ground without rushing to catch trains or find buses; traveling with a guide takes you straight to the three cities’ essential sights.

One of the world’s great art galleries, the Prado Museum has almost 3,000 works on display, including artists like Goya, Velázquez, Rubens, and Caravaggio. Almost every visitor to Madrid stops by here, so a skip-the-line ticket is a worthwhile investment. This one comes with a guide to lead you through the myriad rooms and introduce highlights including the works of El Greco and Velázquez’s Las Meninas (Ladies in Waiting).

Explore two of Madrid’s top sights in just half a day on this immersive, informative tour. In the morning, meet your guide outside the Monument to Felipe IV, enter with skip-the-line tickets, and discover masterpieces from artists like Goya, Rubens, and Velázquez. Next, spot landmarks like the Casa de Cervantes en route to the Royal Palace of Madrid, a regal marvel that’s still home to the Spanish royal family today.

The Prado Museum is one of the most popular attractions in Madrid and without this handy skip-the-line guided tour you could be waiting a long time to get in. Simplify your visit to one of Europe’s top art galleries and learn more about Spanish art and culture than you could touring alone. This small-group tour can be customized to suit your interests.

Visit Madrid's Royal Palace and its surroundings with a professional guide on this walking tour. Explore Plaza Mayor's rich history, indulge in the diverse flavors of Spanish cuisine at Mercado San Miguel, and stroll through charming streets like Calle De Codo and Plaza de la Villa. Then, skip the line for a guided tour of Madrid's historic royal residence.

Art enthusiasts will love the chance to explore one of Madrid’s top art galleries, the Reina Sofia Museum, with a guide. In a small group you’ll tour the museum for about ninety minutes, checking out some of the most famous works (such as Picasso’s Guernica) and lesser-known ones too. Learn more about Spanish art, culture, and history than you would visiting alone.

Madrid's food story was shaped by centuries of trade, conquest, and migration Learn all about it in this small group food tour, where you'll wander past the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor, while stopping at handpicked spots that have fed locals for generations. Duck into a centuries old wine cellar to try your hand at slicing Iberian ham like a pro, skip the line at one of the city's favorite street food counters for a local sandwich, pull up a stool at a centennial tapas bar for sizzling garlic shrimp, and finish with a surprising chocolate stop that reveals Spain's long history with cocoa. With a small group and a local guide who knows the difference between a tourist trap and the real thing, you'll get access and stories no guidebook can offer.

Explore the heart of Madrid—hearing stories, facts, and insights from a local professional guide—on this comprehensive walking tour. Discover this fascinating city, its history, and its culture, as you visit highlights and landmarks including Plaza de la Villa, Arab Wall, the Royal Palace, as well as less touristed spots like La Real Botanica de la Reina Madre and Arco de Cuchilleros.

This tour is ideal for time-tight travelers interested in religious sights and historic monuments. Avoid the hassle of organizing car rental, and instead, travel between locations with ease in a luxury bus with air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a guide. Explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site—the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial (El Escorial)—and visit the Valley of Cuelgamuros (Valley of the Fallen) monument and Catholic basilica.

Soccer enthusiasts won’t want to miss a guided tour of Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the home stadium of Real Madrid. Whether you support the local team or another, this one-hour tour is a great way to get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most important teams in the world. Visit one of the towers for a sweeping view of the stadium, check out the impressive trophy room, and more.

Explore Toledo's historic Jewish Quarter on this private guided tour and learn all about the Spanish city’s deep Jewish roots. Stroll through Toledo’s UNESCO-listed old town and visit synagogues dating from the 12th and 14th centuries as your guide shares a wealth of knowledge regarding a Sephardic community that dates back to the 4th century.

Known to some as the city of three cultures—because of its Muslim, Christian, and Jewish heritage—Toledo is a stunning medieval city that's an easy day trip from Madrid. Take a trip to this UNESCO World Heritage Site with this guided group tour, complete with round-trip Madrid transportation. After easy coach travel, enjoy sights like the old city walls, 12th-century synagogue, and Primate Cathedral (Catedral Primada)—all included.

Skip the crowded group tours and get more out of your time in Toledo with a private guide. Choose your preferred length of walking tour and visit the Toledo sights that interest you most. Follow a route chosen by your guide to see a mix of highlights and hidden gems or customize the route as you wish. Admission tickets to monuments are not included.

A Madrid panoramic tour by open-top double-decker bus is the perfect introduction to this incredible city. You can explore city sights at your own pace. Hear onboard audio commentary and check out Madrid’s many plazas, museums, and theaters with the provided map and guidebook.

Take in unique views of Madrid without getting tired legs with this private tuk-tuk tour. Sit comfortably on padded seats and enjoy protection from the sun with a roof-covering, as your driver takes you around the city. Take in highlights including the Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcala, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, and more. Ideal for travelers with limited time in Madrid who want to do as much sightseeing as possible.

Discover Madrid’s Royal Palace on a small-group tour with skip-the-line entry, so you get more time inside and less waiting outside. Begin this walking tour with an introduction to some of Madrid’s other top sites, including Plaza Mayor and Mercado San Miguel. Then, continue to the Royal Palace, where you get a headset so you can hear your tour clearly. Learn about the palace’s beautiful architecture and interesting history.

See Toledo more intimately with a private guide on a day trip that’s tailored to you. You’ll have the choice of several options when you book to suit the duration and schedule that works best. Opt for a mix of free time and guided exploration, and discover why UNESCO-listed Toledo has been dubbed the “City of Three Cultures” with commentary about its cathedral, mosques, and synagogues. Plus, you'll sail past long lines with skip-the-line admission to the Catedral Primada de España.