Taking in many of Madrid’s major landmarks, you’ll see the Royal Palace, Teatro Real (the Royal Opera House) and even the world’s oldest restaurant on this 3-hour Free Tour of Madrid’s must-see sites.
Your Madrid Free Tour starts in front of the Tourist Information Centre in Plaza Mayor and finishes by Plaza de Isabel II (Metro Ópera). We never cancel; tours run rain, hail or shine.
One of Europe’s most beautiful cities…
You’ll fall in love with Madrid and see it as the locals do – as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe! As well as the stunning San Miguel Market (one of Madrid’s gastronomic highlights) and the Plaza de la Villa (one of Madrid’s prettiest squares), your expert local guide will also introduce you to some of Madrid’s most iconic royal sites. See the famous Royal Opera House and marvel at the gorgeous Madrid Royal Palace.
…with some of the darkest days of Spanish history
Sadly though, it hasn’t all been happy royal families and majestic squares for Madrid. The city has seen its share of dark times, which your expert local guide will explain to you on this walking tour. The Madrid free tour starts in Plaza Mayor, where public torture and executions took place during the Spanish Inquisition, before taking you to the monument for the victims of the assassination attempt on King Alfonso III, when a homemade bomb disguised as a bouquet of flowers went off on his wedding day. You’ll also see the Almudena Cathedral, and hear about how the Spanish Civil War halted its construction.
The Madrid Free Tour starts in front of the Tourist Information Centre in Plaza Mayor
Visit the famous royal sites such as the Madrid Royal Palace and the Teatro Real Royal Opera House
Discover Madrid gastronomy with the origin of tapas, the San Miguel Market and the world’s oldest restaurant
Hear the tragic stories of the Spanish Inquisition
Find out about the assassination attempt on King Alfonso III on his wedding day
Learn about the impact of the Spanish Civil War on Madrid
TOUR SCHEDULES
Today
11:00 AM2:00 PM
11:00 AM3:00 PM
PHOTOS
Guests about to start the Free Tour in Plaza Mayor
Free Tour group stopping at the Royal Palace of Madrid
Plaza de la Villa
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
Local English-speaking guide
What’s not included
Gratuities for the guide (optional)
Additional Information
Our business is connecting great guides and smart travelers, and we're proud that so many local guides employ us to welcome travelers like you on their journey through some of the world's best cities. No two tours are alike, and the sites, stories, and length of the tour will vary depending on what your freelance guide decides is best. That's why the tours we promote never get stale or feel scripted, and why both independent guides and savvy travelers prefer SANDEMANs
Wheelchair accessible
MAP
The Free Tour starts at Plaza Mayor, in front of the Tourist Information CentreOpen in Google Maps
Royal Palace
Royal Opera House
San Miguel Market
Plaza de la Villa
Almudena Cathedral
Tour starts here
Tour usually ends here
Tour usually covers
Customer reviews
Went on the free walking tour of Madrid early July and LOVED IT! I was a solo on the tour & from start to finish everything was so welcoming & fantastic. I did the tour with tour guide Ramon & he was GREAT! He was so so much fun, very entertaining and so funny! Besides the guide, the actual tour was awesome & I learnt so much about the history of Madrid from the rulers to the origin of the word Tapas and so much in between, and never once felt like I was in a boring history class! I loved it so much, I booked in for the Spanish Inquisition tour only a couple of hours after which was just as amazing, and very fascinating! Would do it again 100% & recommend! Thank you Ramon!!
I only had 2 days in Madrid and this free tour with guide Sebastian was amazing! We had such a fun time, learned a lot about the city and saw so many wonderful sites. Highly recommend, especially if you only have a few days!
We went for the free walking tour and it was excellent. Our guide, Ramon, was engaging, funny and knowledgeable. Whether you’re in Madrid for a short trip or a long one, this tour is a great way to see the beautiful city and learn about the history. Would recommend!
Me and my sister did the free tour with Lexi which was really interesting and entertaining! Lexi is a funny guide and knows a lot about the city and Spain in general. We would really recommend it!
We happened across the red 'free tour' umbrellas on the Plaza Mayor and checked it out. Sign ups on-site. So glad we did. We took the free 3 hour tour today with Sebastian and were very impressed by the knowledge shared in such an entertaining way. He knows the history inside and out, and made what could be a very dry subject for many, a very engaging and informative time. An optional payment at the end is so easy to give. Highly recommended! We'll probably be doing another tour of theirs because this one was so good!
We took the free tour in English and it was really awesome, Sebastian presented the history of the city in a very engaging way, getting everybody involved and making jokes. He made sure to find us a place in the shade for all stops and was eager to answer all questions. Would 100% recommend to everyone.
We did the free walking tour with Lexi and it was amazing. She was super enthusiastic, fun and helpful with all the suggestions. Definitely recommend it. We liked it so much that we went on Spanish Inquisition tour with Ramón and that was equally interesting and fun!
We did the Madrid tour with Lexi. This was a great way to see the city and learn the history. Lexi was amazing! Very informative, professional and friendly. She took the time to give us tips and we even found out about the secret nun cookies! Definitely recommend going on a tour with her!
The Free Tour is the best introduction to the city! A general overview tour including many of the highlights of the city, the Free Tour usually lasts around 2.5 hours and is provided by a local freelance guide in partnership with SANDEMANs NEW Europe, so tour content can vary depending on your guide’s particular area of interest and expertise.
The Free Tour is a walking tour with no need for public transport and is designed for independent travellers, not groups. You can book your spot in advance online or simply show up at the start point on the day. There is no payment necessary at the start of the tour but you are welcome to tip your guide at the end!
We believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of Madrid's best local freelance tour guides, who passionately share the city's history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style. They'll never pressure you to tip; we believe that, if money is given, it should be voluntary and in direct proportion to the quality of the tour and the budget of the traveller.
Why join a SANDEMANs FREE Tour?
The route covers many of Madrid's major landmarks
The meeting point is centrally located in Plaza Mayor
The Free Tour is guaranteed to fit within your budget
The guides performing tips-based Free Tours are incentivized to perform every time
Enjoy a comprehensive overview of Madrid's fascinating history and must-see sites with your private ...
Info & Booking
€ 350
Customise Your Private Tour!
Tell us the landmarks, stories or parts of the city you want to see, how long you have to see them and when you want to go, and we’ll build an itinerary that suits you.
Enjoy a comprehensive overview of Madrid's fascinating history and must-see sites with your private ...
Info & Booking
€ 350
Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.
Tour starts here
Tour usually ends here
