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
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.
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.
Reviews
723 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Madrid in a day
Kathleen K,May 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide , Carlos, was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic! His insight made viewing the artwork so interesting! He shared tips on local events and restaurants as well. The tour of the palace was enlightening! So much history!
Our guide Maria was passionate about her city and it showed
Nicole Q,May 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Madrid in a day sounded daunting, but our guide Maria hit so many highlights that we really felt that we got a great overview of things. She was very helpful as we navigated The Prado, explaining so much about the artwork and artists. As we walked through the historic area, she pointed out landmarks and provided a lot of the rich history. Ending at the Palace was amazing.
Great one day tour
Melissa S,May 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour of Madrid in a day. Our guide Jaime was excellent and so full of knowledge of Madrid and history of this beautiful city.
Amazing tour with David
308nainap,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing tour with David!! He was patient and explained the historic relevance very well!
David 10/10 Tour
Wanderer11681892892,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00David 10/10 best tour guide would recommend.
Maria is the best!
O4217ADamandah,May 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Maria was amazing! She was very knowledgeable about Madrid. She was funny and easy to listen to. My son and I had an amazing time and would take another tour with Maria anytime!!
Great Spanish Cooking Class
Debbie T,May 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This class was great! Lots of fun and delicious food! We enjoyed it very much and learned a lot too.
VIP Prado with Jaime
I4910ILdanielb,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jaime led us through the tour with the VIP Prado option. It was very worth it! We were able to see all (or most?) of the most famous paintings in the Prado without any of the crowds. The tour of Palacio Read was just as interesting and engaging. As a couple with moderate interest in both history and art, this was an incredible tour and we really thank Jaime for his knowledge and enthusiasm for the entire tour.
Our tour guide- Beatriz
Dennis M,May 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide, Beatriz was very knowledgeable regarding art and history which made our tour a very enjoyable one. The length was just right and good value.
A Must Do Tour!
Roam359201,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Early entrance to the Prada is worth EVERY penny!!! Bite the bullet and do it! Best money spent. We were able to enjoy the art without any crowds. Irene’s explanations of the different pieces was incredible! I learned so much!!! I am not art educated and she helped me to see the masterpieces in a whole new light. INCREDIBLE! Do this tour! We included it with a skip the line tour of the palace. Again Irene’s narration enhanced the experience. My only complaint is the tour description includes a historic city center tour and we received very little narration or historical information of the sights we saw between the Prada and the Palace. Basically she just guided us from the Prada to the palace with a coffee stop halfway. I wanted the full city tour as well.
From €74.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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