Tour
7,3 km
3h
19 audios
Text version
Bienvenidos a Madrid! Spain’s capital, often overshadowed by its Andalusian and Catalan sisters, is in fact a vibrant city bursting with energy and history. Nestled in the very heart of the country, you’ll find Madrid sitting at the foot of the Cantabrian mountains that split Spain into two. Therefore, it stands 600 meters above sea level, making it the second-highest capital in Europe after Andorra la Vella. It’s relatively a young capital—only since 1561, when King Philip II chose it over Toledo, the former Visigothic capital. Five centuries later, Madrid is now the largest city in Spain and the second-largest in the EU after Berlin. You’ll feel its unique personality throughout each of its neighbourhoods, offering a wide variety of cultural and festive experiences. This tour focuses on the eastern part of the city, taking you through the popular, open, and welcoming districts of Malasaña and Chueca, as well as the famous “Paisaje de la Luz”, meaning “Landscape of Light”—a recently designated UNESCO World Heritage Site that groups the entire area around Retiro Park, celebrated for its remarkable concentration of artistic heritage.
You’ll need to cross Gran Via and step back a little to fully take in the gigantic size of the Telefónica building. With its 1930s New York vibe, you’re not imagining things—it evidently took inspiration from American skyscrapers belonging to that era. It’s Read more
Here we are at the most famous square of the city: Puerta del Sol. So where does "Gate" and "Sun" come from? Originally, there used to be a gate here that served as a passageway through the city walls of 15th-century Madrid—which explains the "Gate" part. Read more
You’ve probably spotted it from afar, all those painted tiles belong to the Villa Rosa tablao, right before you. If you’re wondering what a tablao means, it’s a venue where flamenco shows are performed, and this one is an institution in Madrid, founded in 1911 on what Read more
You’ve just arrived on Santa Ana Square, standing at the heart of the Barrio de las Letras, which is the Literary Quarter. Speaking about literature, this plaza is home to statues of two of Spain’s greatest playwrights: Pedro Calderón de la Barca and Federico García Read more
You’re now standing in front of the entrance to the Convent of the Descalzas Trinitarias — literally, the "barefoot Trinitarians"! Quite ironic, right? This monastery was established in what used to be the palace of Charles V and Isabella of Portugal. It was their Read more
You’re reaching Calle de las Huertas, which means the street of orchards, since vegetable gardens used to grow in El Prado courtyard. A street filled with bars, it also goes by the name of Calle de las Copas, meaning the street of glasses. On a more poetic note, you’ll Read more
The statue honouring Velázquez on your right is a sign that you’ve reached the famous Prado Museum. The bronze figure shows the painter holding his palette and brush, echoing the pose he gave himself in his most famous painting: Las Meninas. The Read more
The pink palace you’re passing by right now is the Hall of Realms. It gets its name from the ceiling paintings inside, which depict the coats of arms of the 24 kingdoms and territories under the Spanish monarchy, during the reign of Philip IV. A member of the Read more
The beautiful Paseo de las Argentinas, nicknamed the Promenade of Statues, offers a grand entrance into the stunning Retiro Park. On the way here, you’ve come across ninety-four statues of Spanish kings, who stood on the cornice of the Royal Palace until Read more
Here you are in front of the stunning Crystal Palace of Retiro Park. This enormous tropical greenhouse is truly a masterpiece of iron and glass architecture in Spain. Its architect, Ricardo Velázquez, was inspired by London’s Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, built Read more
The Velázquez Palace, as it stands today, was specially built in 1883 by architect Ricardo Velázquez to host the National Exhibition of Mining. He would later go on to design the Glass Palace as well. He created a two-coloured brick building, covered by a spectacular Read more
Here you are in front of the majestic monument to Alfonso XII, towering over the pond and serving as one of Retiro Park’s most iconic landmarks. Its story begins in 1887, when Maria Christina, Regent of Spain, decided to commission a monument to honour Read more
Here’s a triumphal arch: the Puerta de Alcala, one of the five ancient entrances to the Old Town. It was the first ever built since the fall of the Roman Empire—even before the Arc de Triomphe in Paris! King Charles III wished to replace a former 16th century gate, Read more
As you arrive on Plaza de Cibeles, you quickly realise that this is one of the most important—and definitely one of the most iconic—squares in the city. For any football fans out there, you may have recognized this place as the gathering point for Real Madrid fans to Read more
Here’s the famous Gran Via, the city’s main street, facing a picture-perfect landmark: the Metropolis Building. A phoenix once stood at its top, back when the building belonged to La Unión y el Fénix. Since then, the phoenix has flown away to leave room for a winged Read more
A complete change of scenery and atmosphere awaits you in the lively Chueca neighbourhood. Known as Madrid’s gay district, Chueca is one of the world’s top LGBTQ+ travel destinations. The area is packed with trendy bars, popular restaurants, and Read more
You’ve now arrived at the San Ildefonso Market, the perfect spot for a “world food cuisine” break while exploring the neighbourhoods of Chueca, Malasaña, or Tribunal. This modern and stylish space is filled with street food stalls from around the globe, built just a few Read more
You’ve arrived at the charming Plaza San Ildefonso, a lively square lined with terraces and overlooked by the church bearing the same name. Right now, we’re in the heart of the Malasaña district, an area originally nicknamed “el barrio de las maravillas,” Read more
So, you’re probably wondering why we’re stopping in front of this church, which, I’ll admit, isn’t exactly the most stunning in the city. But trust me on this one: step inside—if the small entry fee doesn’t put you off—and you’ll be blown away. The entire interior Read more
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Dive into Madrid’s royal history and rich culture by exploring its must-see landmarks.
In case you didn’t arrive in Madrid by train, make sure to step inside Atocha Station. You’ve probably never seen a station like it before. Its iron and glass canopy and tropical garden make it a must-see in Madrid.
On a different note, check out the Las Ventas bullring — also known as the Plaza de Toros. It’s the largest bullring in Spain,
Another site worth seeing is the Matadero, Madrid’s former slaughterhouse turned cultural hub. If you’re here on a Sunday, be sure to wander through the famous Rastro flea market. Hundreds of stalls line the area around Plaza de Cascorro and stretch down Ribera Street. A vibrant mix of tradition and treasure — and a crowd you won’t forget.
If you still have some time to spare, head to the Parque del Retiro for a relaxing break in the heart of the city. While you’re in the area, take the opportunity to visit two of Spain’s most remarkable museums: the Museo del Prado and the Reina Sofía. If these don’t interest you, go just to see Guernica.
What truly defines Madrid is the atmosphere, and the everyday life flowing through each of its districts. We’ve taken you through some of the capital’s must-see sites, but your stay in Madrid won’t be complete unless you take the time to experience each barrio and their unique personalities. There’s the historic Madrid of the Habsburgs, the bohemian La Latina, the multicultural Lavapiés, Chueca — Madrid’s own Marais — and Malasaña, the hipster heart of the city. Each district has its own strong identity, and together, they make Madrid the vibrant, cosmopolitan capital we love so much.
If you have time to explore outside the city, you’ll find plenty of nearby sites that are well worth visiting.
Start with the small town of Alcalá de Henares, about thirty kilometres from Madrid. It’s best known as the birthplace of Cervantes, one of the greatest Spanish writers and author of ‘Don Quixote’. Nicknamed the ‘city of knowledge’, Alcalá gives you the chance to walk in Cervantes’ footsteps at his childhood home and museum. With its grand university and picturesque old town full of arcaded streets, the town has earned its place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Be sure to visit the beautiful main hall of the Colegio de San Ildefonso, with its intricately carved Mudéjar ceiling, where the King and Queen of Spain present the prestigious Cervantes literary prize every year. You can even climb the Santa María tower for sweeping views, or catch a show in one of the oldest corral de comedias — open-air theatres — in Spain.
Don’t miss Aranjuez, south of Madrid, the town that inspired Joaquín Rodrigo’s famous Concierto de Aranjuez, a guitar concerto. Most visitors come for the Royal Palace and its beautiful gardens, modelled after Versailles in Paris. The old town, built to house the nobility, has been designated a historical and artistic site for its unique Baroque architecture. You’ll discover palaces, convents, balconies, villas, and patios laid out along wide streets and elegant squares.
If you only have time for one must-see site outside Madrid, let it be El Escorial. This vast monastery is a UNESCO site you can easily reach by bus — line 664 takes you to the village of San Lorenzo, just 200 metres from the entrance. Built in the 16th century, this imposing site was once the heart of the most powerful empire in the world. Inside, you’ll find a royal palace, a basilica, a library, museums, and the royal pantheon, where Spanish monarchs from Charles V to Alfonso XIII are buried. You can stroll through the monks’ gardens, visit the royal children’s and queen’s pavilions, and admire the reflection of the surrounding landscape in the large ornamental pool.
People often forget that Madrid sits 657 metres above sea level — making it the second-highest capital in Europe after Andorra. If you’re craving mountain air, the Sierra de Guadarrama is a perfect escape. Partly a national park, this mountain range is filled with lakes, streams, and peaks rising over 2,000 metres — a paradise for nature lovers.
One of the most beloved spots in the Sierra is the village of Rascafría, nestled in the Lozoya Valley. Sitting more than 1,000 metres above sea level, it’s a picture-perfect mountain village, with a beautiful 15th-century church and the El Paular Monastery, just 2 kilometres away. You can buy products made by the monks — honey, cheeses, liqueurs — and explore the nearby Puente del Perdón (Bridge of Forgiveness), for a breathtaking view of the monastery. You can also visit the old Batán paper mill, which produced the paper for the very first edition of Don Quixote in 1605. Just beyond that, you’ll find the magical Finnish Forest, with its quiet lake and tall pine trees.
If you want to venture a little further from Madrid, don’t miss Segovia — about a hundred kilometres to the northwest. You’ll fall under its spell the moment you arrive, greeted by its remarkably well-preserved Roman aqueduct and the warm colours of its old town, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s an impressive cathedral, a fairytale-style Alcázar, winding lanes, and shops filled with local products — all against the backdrop of a magical hilltop town over 1,000 metres above sea level.
No list would be complete without the marvellous city of Toledo, perched high above the Tagus River. Once the capital of Spain, it’s brimming with stories, legends, and an incredibly rich heritage. We already have an itinerary for Toledo, that takes you through 25 points of interest, covering the complexity of Spain’s history. Just 30 minutes from Madrid by train, it’s a close and unmissable trip.
Enjoy a wide range of activities—from art to culinary delights—to make the most of your stay in Madrid.
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Traditional flamenco shows take place all across Madrid.
Feel the thrill of flamenco’s stirring music and sensual dance moves in a legendary venue…
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Good to know: Several options are available to make the most of your flamenco evening, including drinks or a full dinner. When time flies, hunger can strike sooner than expected!
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Discover this charming hotel nestled in the heart of Madrid. Here, everything comes together to make you feel completely transported…
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Highlights
Prime location
Excellent breakfast
Beautiful décor
Authentic Spanish charm
Things to Consider
Some rooms may feel a bit small
Location: 16 Calle de las Huertas, Madrid City Center, 28012 Madrid
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If you’re traveling to Madrid and unsure which type of tour to choose, know that both guided and self-guided visits offer plenty of benefits. With a guided tour, you’ll have a local expert sharing fascinating insights about the city’s many monuments, museums, and historic squares. Plus, if you’re traveling solo, it’s a great way to meet other travelers and locals alike. On the other hand, a self-guided visit is perfect for those who value spontaneity and flexibility. It lets you tailor your trip and manage your time exactly how you want. The choice depends on what you want to see and experience in Madrid!
This is the big question many ask: “Can you visit Madrid in just one day?” The answer is yes, absolutely! While a single day won’t let you explore the city in depth, it’s enough to get a solid overview. Start with Plaza de Cibeles, where you can admire the stunning Neptune Fountain — a city symbol and a favorite among Real Madrid fans. Next, visit the Prado Museum, one of Madrid’s most iconic spots, to see the country’s finest art collection (make sure to book your tickets in advance!). Finish your day with a stroll near Puerta del Sol, where you’ll find famous landmarks like the Puerta del Sol clock and the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree.
Hold on! Summer isn’t the best time to visit Madrid, dear travelers. However, if you love hot weather and don’t mind crowds, June to August works too. For milder weather and fewer tourists, spring and autumn are your best bets. Madrid is well connected, with 10 trains and 5 coaches arriving daily. Trains are usually cheaper if you book early and are among the most eco-friendly transport options. If you prefer flying, Marseille-Provence Airport offers direct flights to Madrid. Now you’re all set!
Everyone agrees: a weekend isn’t enough to discover Madrid fully. Plan for at least four days, or five if you want a more relaxed pace. Located in the heart of Spain, Madrid offers countless museums and incredible food experiences. It’s not just a cultural and historical trip, but a culinary journey that will delight your taste buds. During your stay, explore the grand Royal Palace, and consider a day trip to Toledo to see its cathedral and synagogue. If time allows, enjoy a flamenco show at Torres Bermejas!
For a great stay, choose a hotel in a lively and pleasant neighborhood. Navaway highly recommends Puerta del Sol & Gran Via — the cultural and dynamic heart of the city. You’ll be close to all the main sights, with plenty of spots for families and easy access to transportation. Alternatively, Barrio de La Latina is a historic district praised for its excellent food. Its narrow, cobbled streets offer an authentic vibe and bring you near iconic sites like the flea market El Rastro.
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