Madrid, the dynamic and charismatic capital of Spain, is a city that effortlessly bridges the gap between tradition and modernity. As you step onto its bustling streets, you’ll be greeted by a kaleidoscope of experiences, a melting pot of cultures, and a vibe that will sweep you off your feet. This city is where historic charm meets vibrant energy, offering a captivating blend of rich cultural heritage, world-class art, and a zest for life that’s remarkably addictive.
And that’s just the start! We haven’t even begun to mention the internationally acclaimed art museums, Michelin-starred dining, excellent shopping opportunities, and achingly beautiful architecture. Venture into the areas surrounding the city on one of the many Madrid day trips, and you’ll be blown away by dramatic national parks, charming medieval cities, and romantic vineyards that beckon you to explore.
It doesn’t matter how much research and planning you do; you simply can’t beat the expert knowledge of a guide. Whether you’re dreaming of making authentic Spanish tapas, watching a mesmerizing flamenco show, horseback riding through a forest, or exploring parts of the city most visitors never get to see, joining the best tours in Madrid is the way to do it!
But even when you’re armed with this information, putting together the ultimate Madrid itinerary is still a major challenge. Where do you go and which tours do you choose?
With such a fantastic choice of things to see and do, it can feel impossible to simply get started. To give you a helping hand, we’ve put together a list of the absolute best tours in Madrid. Stick to these exciting Madrid tour recommendations, and you’re guaranteed to have an incredible time exploring Spain’s capital city!
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14 Fun Tours and Day Trips Around Madrid, Spain
1. Learn How to Make Restaurant-Quality Spanish Eats
One of the best tours in Madrid for foodies, this half-day Spanish cooking class invites you to step into the kitchen and learn how to make some delicious Spanish delicacies. Opt for the morning tour for the chance to pick up fresh ingredients from a local market and transform them into an amazing paella. Or wait until the evening and whip up several traditional Spanish tapas!
If you choose the morning class, you’ll be led through one of Madrid’s most popular food markets, where you’ll learn how to pick the best ingredients that will work wonders in the kitchen. After shopping, you’ll head to the cooking school and get started! You’ll begin by making gazpacho (a type of cold tomato soup), followed by a mixed paella that includes seafood and chicken.
The evening class skips the trip to the market, but it gives you the chance to make five different tapas – Spanish potato omelet, garlic shrimp, chorizo in apple cider, patatas bravas, and tomato bread with ham. You’ll also learn how to make the wonderfully creamy and hugely popular Catalan crème for dessert.
2. Watch a Live Flamenco Show at a Legendary Tablao
Immerse yourself in the passionate world of flamenco and let traditional Spanish music flow through your veins at the historic Torres Bermejas tablao. Nestled in the heart of Madrid, this legendary flamenco club has an amazing reputation and a long-standing history that goes back generations.
Keep things simple and enjoy a couple of drinks with the show, or make it a night out you’ll never forget by upgrading to a dining table with a traditional Spanish meal.
Established in 1960, Torres Bermejas tablao is known throughout Spain for its unique decor, inspired by the Bermejas towers of Granada’s enchanting Alhambra. Before the show begins, take the time to admire walls adorned with intricate Arabic motifs, ornate hand-painted tiles, and exquisitely carved wooden ceilings.
When the performance begins, you’ll be absolutely blown away. During the show, you’ll be in the perfect position to witness the mesmerizing choreographies of the Cuadro Flamenco. This traditional flamenco group is made up of the finest singers, guitarists, clappers, and dancers who have been practicing this tradition for years.
3. Explore the City on a Vintage Bike
Madrid is an incredible city filled with amazing things that you completely miss if you travel exclusively by train, metro, and car. Experience everything the city has to offer without becoming exhausted by signing up for this city tour. On this adventure, you’ll hop onto a vintage bicycle and cycle around the city, led by an expert guide who knows all the best places to visit.
You’ll stop by iconic buildings such as the Palacio Real and Prado Museum, where your guide will fill you in on the history of the place and tell you all kinds of fascinating info about it. A great trip to do early in your vacation, this city tour is an excellent way to get your bearings and discover which parts of the city you want to spend more time in and the best way to get there.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to stop and take photos. Don’t worry if you’re a solo traveler. As you’re traveling in a group, there will be other people who can take your photo for you!
4. Eat Your Way Through the City on a Tapas and Wine Tour
All the best Madrid tours include savoring delectable tapas and sipping fine Spanish wines. If you’re looking for a tour that’s exclusively dedicated to indulging your palate, this foodie tour is the one for you. On this remarkable tour, you’ll stop by a number of bustling markets with the company of a local guide who will take you to all the best places to eat and drink.
During your gourmet adventure, you’ll walk through various streets, stopping at some of the top tapas bars in the city. At each stop, you’ll have the chance to dig into delights such as croquettes filled with all kinds of ingredients and crispy padrón peppers generously seasoned with sea salt. Every plate will be paired with amazing wines, beers, and ciders, of course!
Next, you’ll move onto the San Miguel Market for even more tapas and drinks before taking a gentle stroll to your final destination. Your last bite will be an incredible dish of pork cheeks with mashed potatoes, paired with a robust red wine and some of the best city views you’ll see during your vacation.
5. Fall in Love with the World Heritage City of Cuenca
Escape the hustle and bustle of Madrid on this captivating full-day tour that whisks you away to the ancient town of Cuenca, stops by a romantic vineyard, and visits La Ciudad Encantada.
You’ll start your journey with a scenic bus ride to the mesmerizing Castilla La-Mancha region, pausing at a wine cellar along the way to try some amazing local wines. Next, you’ll head to La Ciudad Encantada (the Enchanted City), where you’ll enjoy a guided walking tour that highlights the city’s magical landscapes.
Next, it’s on to the historic city of Cuenca, where you’ll gaze at the Devil’s Window viewpoint and take a break at a traditional restaurant for lunch. As your adventure comes to a close, you’ll travel up to El Barrio del Castillo, the city’s highest point. Here you’ll have the chance to wander around the city’s historic quarter before stopping at a stunning viewpoint and heading back to Madrid.
6. Taste Wine Made at Generations-Old Wineries
If you enjoy fine wines, you’ll fall head over heels in love with this tour that takes you through Madrid’s scenic wine country. On this oenophile experience, you’ll visit three of the best wineries in the region and develop a whole new love for this ancient, delicious drink.
You’ll take a guided tour around each winery, where someone will show you exactly how they make their unique wine. This part of the country has been making wine for more than 900 years, and some wineries still use tools and techniques that date back centuries! You’ll see vineyards full of Tempranillo grapes that are used for making hearty red wine, as well as Malvar and Albillo grapes used to make refreshing white wine.
After you’ve discovered everything there is to know about winemaking at each location, you’ll be invited to try a number of the typical wines made there. To enhance the experience, each tasting will be accompanied by a small selection of local cheeses and charcuterie.
7. Sail Over Madrid and Segovia in a Hot Air Balloon
If you’re looking for the best day trips from Madrid, you’ll struggle to beat a hot air balloon ride. On this one-of-a-kind experience, you’ll sail high above the city over the region of Segovia, taking in the breathtaking Spanish countryside far below. This excursion includes pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation, so you can spend more time enjoying your amazing ride.
When you arrive at the departure point, you’ll hop straight into the hot air balloon’s basket and rise up thousands of feet in the air. From this high up, you’ll have an incredible view of local landmarks, such as the 12th-century Alcázar.
Even if you’ve visited this famous site before, there’s nothing like seeing it from a bird’s-eye view! You’ll also sail over ancient cities and an amazing Roman aqueduct that’s almost 2,000 years old.
So you don’t miss a single thing, your pilot will point out all the most interesting places along the way. At the end of your trip, you’ll totally understand why Segovia has been given the title of a World Heritage City.
8. Visit the Prado Museum with an Art Expert
Visiting the Prado Museum is absolutely something you’ve got to do while you’re in Madrid. But unless you’re an art expert, it can be a bit overwhelming and sometimes confusing. An easy way to have the best possible experience is to visit the Prado Museum on a private tour led by someone who knows everything there is to know about the museum and its artwork.
During this cultural experience, you’ll have the chance to admire the remarkable works of Spanish and international painters from different periods throughout time. Your guide will explain what each painting represents and what was going through the painter’s mind at the time so you can fully appreciate the piece.
As you move throughout the museum, you’ll be invited to explore various styles of painting and see important historical events through the eyes of world-renowned painters. Some of the highlights you’ll see include various anatomical drawings by Ribera, 19th-century paintings from the “El Casacón” genre, and the “Black Paintings” by Francisco de Goya.
9. Surround Yourself with the Beauty of the Guadarrama National Park
If you need a break from city life, sign up for a guided tour of the Guadarrama National Park. Hidden away, just 40 minutes outside the city, this dazzling national park is brimming with unparalleled beauty, spectacular viewpoints, and countless hiking trails that take you to all kinds of secret places.
On this outdoor encounter, you’ll follow your guide on a walking tour of the national park. As you meander your way through the varying landscapes, you’ll stop by stunning landmarks, such as the Puerto de la Morcuera, Puerto de Cotos, Puerto de Navacerrada, and La Pedriza. Your guide will tell you exactly where to stand to get the best pictures.
An incredible place when you feel the urge to surround yourself with nature, the Guadarrama National Park is teeming with fascinating flora and fauna. Around 1,280 different animal species call the park home. So be on the lookout and you may just spot foxes, wildcats, badgers, mountain goats, wild boars, and deer during your visit!
10. See the City’s Streets through the Eyes of a Graffiti Hunter
Out of all the art-themed Madrid day trips, this is definitely one of our favorites. Unlike other art tours that take you through Madrid’s award-winning galleries, this art tour invites you to experience a more urban, rough, and obscure type of art – graffiti.
With the company of a local guide, you’ll work your way through the neighborhoods of La Latina, Embajadores, and Lavapiés, seeking out one-of-a-kind murals. Your expert guide is one of Madrid’s graffiti collaborators who has helped create some of the amazing pieces you’ll see on the tour. They’ll be able to give you their unique insight into the people, culture, and themes behind each of the pieces, helping you gain a better understanding.
If you’d like to experience more of Madrid’s culture, this tour is an excellent place to start. Your guide will be able to get you invites to loads of different longboarding, cycling, yoga, dance, and photography workshops that are completely free.
11. Explore the Medieval City of Toledo
Madrid is a fantastic city to base yourself in and explore the surrounding areas – and Toledo is one place you’ve definitely got to see. On this full-day tour, you’ll have the chance to explore this medieval city, wander through its labyrinthine streets, and admire its stunning architecture.
After being whisked away to your destination by bus, you’ll embark on a panoramic tour of Toledo’s historic center. This is one of the most beautiful parts of the city that you won’t want to miss out on.
When your tour is done, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the city on your own. If you’re not sure where to begin, we suggest checking out the Alcázar of Toledo that’s perched on a hill overlooking the city and the Toledo Cathedral with its vast collection of religious artwork.
The Jewish Quarter, with its historic buildings, winding alleys, and hidden courtyards, is a wonderful place to wander. If you get hungry, find a restaurant that serves traditional food and order carcamusas – it’s a type of local hearty pork stew. At the end of your free time, you’ll hop on the bus and head back to Madrid.
12. Tour the Atlético de Madrid Stadium
If you’re a fan of football (soccer), this is one tour that you absolutely won’t want to miss. Dive into the fascinating world of Atlético de Madrid and the Cívitas Metropolitano, one of the most modern stadiums in the world.
The basic tour option gives you the chance to explore the stadium at your own pace. You’ll have special access to all the exclusive areas, such as the presidential box, dressing rooms, and the PR room.
You’ll also have the chance to step onto the pitch itself. As you walk through the tunnel out into the open, it’s easy to imagine what it must be like to be one of the star players, with thousands of people screaming your name!
For the best experience, we recommend upgrading to the photo package. With this option, you’ll have the opportunity to stand at the corner of the field and have a professional take amazing shots of you. At the end of the tour, you’ll stop by the gift shop and pick up your unique souvenirs.
13. Zoom around Madrid at Night on a Segway
Madrid is a magical place to explore by night, and one of the best, quickest, and most fun ways to get around is on a guided Segway tour. On this one-of-a-kind experience, you’ll zoom through the historic center of the city on an eco-friendly, self-balancing Segway, soaking up the amazing atmosphere that’s only present after dark.
You’ll start at the Plaza San Miguel, where you’ll learn the basics of riding a Segway. When you’re feeling confident, you’ll jet off and experience the city coming to life around you. You’ll gaze at imposing architecture illuminated in the dark and see mesmerizing landmarks, such as the Palacio Real and Plaza Mayor.
One of the highlights of the tour is the Temple of Debod, which a lot of people miss when exploring the city. This amazing structure was gifted to Madrid by Aswan in Egypt in 1968. You’ll also pass by the Sobrino de Botín, one of the oldest restaurants in the world that you should definitely make reservations for on another night.
14. Discover the Wonders of Segovia and La Granja
The historic city of Segovia and the impressive residence known locally as La Granja are just two amazing places you’ll visit on this sensational day trip from Madrid. After touring the stunning gardens and Baroque buildings of the royal residence, you’ll continue on to the world-famous Alcázar in Segovia and the imposing Roman Aqueduct that dates back to the first century.
As you continue your tour, you’ll be treated to remarkable views of the church of San Martín and the Segovia Cathedral, among many other landmarks that you’d miss if you stayed in Madrid. You’ll have the chance to experience Plaza del Azoguejo, the best-preserved area in Segovia, and learn all about its history, which dates back to Roman times.
If you book the upgraded option, you’ll be taken to a traditional Spanish restaurant between La Granja and Segovia. If you prefer to do things your own way, you can stick with the basic tour and choose your own restaurant or use the time to wander the ancient streets of Segovia on your own.
There you have it! The 14 best tours in Madrid. Do you have any Madrid day trips or tours you’d recommend? Let us know in the comments below!
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