Madrid in a Day Tour:Royal Palace, Historic Center & Prado Museum
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Explore the best of Madrid with this expertly guided walking tour featuring skip-the-line tickets to the Royal Palace, one of Europe’s most breathtaking royal residences, and to the Prado Art Musuem - the cultural jewel of Spain. If you wish, choose the Prado Early Access option when booking for a VIP experience in the Prado Museum where you'll enjoy a guided tour of the galleries one hour before they open to the public. As you make your way through the stunning galleries of the Prado Museum, through the charming historic center, and wrap up at the grandiose Royal Palace, you'll be accompanied by an insightful local guide who will decode the city's lesser-known stories and hidden secrets every step of the way. And with a small group of just 16 guests maximum, you'll enjoy a more relaxed and intimate experience with easy access to your guide so you can ask them all your burning questions.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
This tour is in English.
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
Sites on this tour are subject to occasional closures. If modifications are needed and time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour.
Walks and Devour comply with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up to date information.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Museo Nacional del Prado
Your tour starts when you skip the line and enter the Prado art museum, home to one of the greatest collections of European art in the world. Breeze past the crowds and head straight inside to enjoy a full tour of the museum’s highlights. Along the way, you'll meet the masters who have defined Spanish art throughout the centuries, from the court painters of the Spanish Royal Family to legendary artists like Goya, Velazquez, El Greco, Bosch, Tintoretto and more. Your guide will tell you the stories behind the art and help you understand what makes each piece so celebrated—which just isn't possible to do on your own in a museum boasting over 1,000 pieces on display! If you wish, choose the Prado Early Access option for a VIP experience in the Prado Museum where you'll enjoy a guided tour of the galleries one hour before they open to the public.
Plaza Mayor
Leaving the museum, you’ll walk the medieval streets of central Madrid, stopping at famous landmarks like the Plaza Mayor and the Puerta del Sol as your guide tells your story of how the city went from an outpost of a crumbling Moorish empire to the preeminent Catholic power in Europe. And while there's plenty of history to be found in these streets, today the area is one of the city's coolest neighborhoods. You'll also learn how to make the most of it during the rest of your stay as your guide shares tips on where to eat, shop, and relax.
What‘s Included
Local English-speaking guide
Plaza Mayor
Skip-the-line tickets and guided tour of Prado Museum
Puerta del Sol
VIP early access ticket to Prado Museum (if option selected)
Skip-the-line tickets and guided tour of Madrid Royal Palace
Hotel Pick-Up / Drop-Off
Gratuities
Options
Regular Small Group Tour
Madrid in a Day with VIP Prado
VIP Prado Museum Upgrade: Make your tour even more unforgettable with this exclusive pre-opening Prado Museum option.
Private Madrid in a Day Tour
Top Sites : See the best of Madrid on a private tour combining 3 essential sights: Royal Palace, Prado Museum, and the historic Center.
Reviews
750 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Incredible first day in Madrid!
Laura W,May 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It’s a lot of time on your feet, but so worth it!! The Museum and the Palace need to be seen with an experienced tour guide that loves what they do and can provide the knowledge to share the most special facts and stories!
Great way to spend a day in Madrid
Lisa L,May 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great way to see the Prado, the Palace, and central Madrid in about 4 hours. Florin, our guide, was greatb
It was hard to hear the guide and his accent didn’t help. Too much time spent on a few pieces instead of more highlights
Mary Lynn R,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00The tour was the most disappointing I have ever experienced. I wish I could do it again.
Felt a Bit Rushed
Humberto B,May 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00We felt rushed at El Prado. The guide was awesome, but we realized we would have preferred a more in depth guide at El Prado. The tour at the place was fine.
Great experience
elizabethpC8184FO,May 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00David was a great tour guide. We learned so much from him and his calm and cool demeanor was appreciated.
Beautiful tour in Madrid , will miss Madrid
Awilda C,May 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a must do !!! Love the knowledge and it was Fantastic overall!! Prado and Palace visit was fantastic.
Best way to see Madrid!
kendallalford,May 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00David was incredible! Super knowledgable about all things art and the history of Madrid. My sister only have 24 hours in Madrid and knew this tour was a must. This tour & David especially, equipped us with the knowledge to truly appreciate the city! Meeting was easy, speed was efficient but not rushed, and the price was a bargain for the experience you have!
Prado & Royal Palace Tour
Michael B,May 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide (Ann I believe)was excellent. She was very knowledgeable, arrived on time and at the Goya statue, she knew the history of the area and the works within the Prado Museum. The Royal Palace tour was great and she explained every room well! I would highly recommend!
Skip From One Line to Another....You're in a Line!
Ohtobeinsandiego,May 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00When you promote a tour as skip-the-line, it should really skip the lines to enter, not skip one long line for a slightly shorter one. The tour started at the Prado Museum and the entry area was pretty crowded. Our guide retrieved our tickets and took us to a long line where we entered with a bunch of other people who apparently "skipped the line," and processed through security. We spent about an hour and a half in the Prado and hit the high points. Leaving there, we walked through central Madrid to make our way over to the Palace. Again, there was a really long line to get in. The guide retrieved our tickets, then we stood in the rain entering via a slightly shorter line. The tour of the palace was informative, but the guide was unable to answer some questions about some of the things on display. All-in-all, it was a pretty average tour. I question the advertising of this being a skip-the-line tour.
Awesome Tour
Sulagna B,May 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was very detailed and did use every minute of the scheduled time. Jamie, our guide is very talented and very through in his knowledge of art and history.
From €74.00
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