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.
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.
Options
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.
Regular Small Group Tour
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
770 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The best way to visit Prada museum
Maxim Y,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Adam gave us a very informative and memorable tour in the Prada museum. He highlighted the must see masterpiece paintings and provided great information about the artists and the paintings historical and technical details.
Great
J6068CGstacyr,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Rosita was an amazing tour guide! We saw so much and learned the history and the experience was fun and enjoyable. I highly recommend
The Prado Museum and the...
Catherine B,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The Prado Museum and the Royal Collection are amazing. Sean was an amazing guide; he was very knowledgeable and fun.
Knowledgeable tour guide
Navigate56364027987,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Earnest has a lot of knowledge and gave a good tour. Unfortunately the Royal place was closed but we were not told beforehand.
Prado, old historic Madrid Center
Exploration644892,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I cant say enough great things about Ernesto/Ernie. His passion for art and the city made a perfect guide. Extremely personable with a vast knowledge of art and the ability to bring art to live and to the untrained eye. His enthusiasm and love for art and city were contagious! Highly recommend Ernie, the best!
Ernesto was fabulous, tour was excellent, tour operator was negligent in not sharing PRIOR to booking NO royal palace.
870jannr,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ernesto was amazing! Knowledgeable, professional and friendly. Lots of interesting info shared. He was put in an awkward situation where the tour was to include a tour of the royal palace but it was not communicated until the tour was about to begin that it was closed due to the pope’s visit. That was unfortunate because it made me feel as though the very expensive tour was shortchanging my experience. This info Was very well known to the tour companies and visitors who’d have been made aware before committing to the tour. I had a text communication with a rep from the tour the night before and I was not told the palace would not be included. For that reason alone ( a very big omission) I give the tour operator a ZERO and the rep from last night also a zero rating.
Best way to tour the Prado & palace!
Steven H,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Delightful & knowledgable guide! Ernesto was a wonderful host & we highly recommend this tour to learn more about the history of Spain &!view beautiful antiquities.
Great tour
elenamH5190QA,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ermesto was great and full of knowledge. We really enjoyed the tour.
Take Ernesto!
jurajs2016,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ernesto was just great! Increddible nice and knowledgable guide!
Great experience
Trek751328,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide was great - knowkedgable, personable, patient.
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