Jesus was a great guide, informative and very professional. I would definitely take another tour led by him.
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.
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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Royal Palace of Madrid (exterior)Grand Baroque façade with formal courtyards reflecting Spain’s royal architectural heritage.
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Plaza Mayor
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Madrid de los Austrias
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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.
Not Included
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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 pointUnless noted, pre- and post-tour transport isn’t included - 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
Carlos was an outstanding guide, extremely knowledgeable, consistently delivered insights on details of our walking tour that we could not have picked up— even with a recorded audio guide. He was also very warm and friendly, responsive to each of our interests and different levels of experience in Madrid. The pace was very good, kept our interest high and made good progress along the way yet also made accommodation when we needed a brief stop. Carlos was yet another Context docent who made our experience with Context very enriching.
We had taken a tour the day before from another tour co. That, unbeknownst to us, covered much of the same sites as was planned for our context tour. When I asked Carlos a few hours before if he could make some adjustments and even meet us at a different spot, he gladly did so. It was a wonderful tour. Carlos is very knowledgeable and eager to share Madrid with us. A great experience.
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.
