Free walking tours in Madrid and what to see

Must-sees

The historic centre is easy to explore on foot. Start at the Puerta del Sol and walk down to the Plaza Mayor, an enclosed, arcaded square. In a few minutes you reach the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, which face each other. Next to them are the Plaza de Oriente and the Teatro Real. On the way you cross the Madrid of the Habsburgs, with narrow streets, convents and the Plaza de la Villa.

The other great axis is the Paseo del Prado, with the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía, home to Picasso’s Guernica. Right behind lies the Retiro park, with its boating lake and the Crystal Palace. For another side of the city, stroll along the Gran Vía or go to the Rastro flea market on a Sunday. La Latina, Malasaña and Chueca come alive in the evening.

Free tours and guided visits

The most common free tour covers the Madrid of the Habsburgs and the Bourbons: Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, the Royal Palace and the Almudena. It lasts about two hours and the guide tells the story of the city from its Moorish origins. At the end you tip what you think it was worth. There are also routes through the Barrio de las Letras, on legends and mysteries, or on the Civil War.

Among the paid visits, a guided tour of the Prado or the Royal Palace is worth it: you understand what you see better and don’t miss the highlights. Madrid is also a good base for day trips to Toledo, Segovia, Ávila or El Escorial, which usually include return transport and a guide.

How long to spend

Three days let you see the main sights without rushing. Day one, the historic centre and the Royal Palace. Day two, one or two museums on the Paseo del Prado and the afternoon in the Retiro. Day three, neighbourhoods such as La Latina, Malasaña or Lavapiés. With five days, add a trip to Toledo or Segovia and keep Sunday morning for the Rastro.

Where to stay

For sightseeing, the most practical choice is to sleep in the centre. Between Sol, Ópera and the Plaza Mayor almost everything is within walking distance. The Barrio de las Letras, by Huertas, is next to the big museums and has plenty of atmosphere. For something quieter, look at the Salamanca district or the area around the Retiro. Malasaña and Chueca are good for nights out, although they are noisier.