Tours/Madrid/Royal Palace + Old City Madrid Exclusive Guided Walking Tour
Viator · Private tour

Royal Palace + Old City Madrid Exclusive Guided Walking Tour

5.0(8)Madrid1 hour
VIATOR5.0(1)TRIPADVISOR5.0(7)

Description

History and architecture will collide in Madrid on this combo tour of the Old City and Royal Palace. This 5.5 hour Exclusive guided combo tour will explore Europe’s largest royal residence as well as the streets and attractions around it. It’s the ideal way to make the most of your time in the Spanish capital.

Tour Options

Private Italian Tour 11am
  • Private Museum Tour & Walking Tour;Professional Tour Guide Exclusively For You;Tour Includes All Entrance Fees
Private Spanish Tour 11am
  • Private Museum Tour & Walking Tour;Professional Tour Guide Exclusively For You;Tour Includes All Entrance Fees
Private English Tour 11am
  • Private Museum Tour & Walking Tour;Professional Tour Guide Exclusively For You;Tour Includes All Entrance Fees;Duration 5 - 5.5 Hours (Including A Lunch Break);Tour Will Run, Rain Or Shine
SEMI-PRIVATE TOUR IN ENGLISH
  • Semi-Private Walking Tour & Museum Tour; Semi-Private" Means Group Size Is Never More Than 8 Guests Maximum
Private French Tour 11am
  • Private Museum Tour & Walking Tour;Professional Tour Guide Exclusively For You;Tour Includes All Entrance Fees

Itinerary

10 min

We start our tour make with the Almudena Cathedral, a Catholic Church consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993. You will also see the Museo de la Catedral de la Almudena, a museum that is part of the church.

10 min

Next we will visit the Muslim Walls of Madrid, also known as the Arab Walls, located on the road Cuesta de la Vega. The walls are probably the oldest construction surviving in the city, and their construction is linked to the origin of Madrid.

10 min

After this we will walk along the Calle Mayor, a centric street in Madrid starting in the Puerta de Sol and ending at the Cuesta de la Vega. Created in the Middle ages, this road became the main thoroughfare of the city in the Early Modern Period.

10 min

Along the Calle Mayor we will see the Plaza de la Villa we will see the Plaza de la Villa, one of Madrid’s best-preserved monuments. Located in the historical zone next to the Puerta del Sol Gate it is one of the main medieval centres of Madrid.

10 min

You will then walk through La Latina, a historic neighbourhood in the centre of downtown Madrid. The area occupies much of the oldest section of Madrid and is filled with small narrow streets for you to explore.

10 min

Plaza de los Carros is a nice little square with a lovely fountain. Here you can enjoy a nice drink and and take in the buzzing atmosphere.

10 min

Following on you will then see the Plaza de Puerta Cerrada, located in the La Latina neighbourhood of the historic center of the Spanish city of Marid. Built on a medieval Islamic fort, the La Latina neighbourhood is city’s oldest and one of its liveliest.

10 min

A major marketplace during the 13th and 14th century, Plaza de la Paja is known for its crowed streets pulsing with life. However, one can find small moments of serenity in the most surprising places.

10 min

Afterwards you will see the Arco de Cuchilleros, a well-known historical archway with stairs leading to the 16th century Plaza Mayor, arguably the most famous plaza in Marid. Well-known historical archway with stairs leading to the prominent, 16th-century Plaza Mayor.

10 min

Getting to the end of our tour, we will visit Puerta del Sol, a bustling square in the center of Madrid and one of the city’s most famous sites. It is the centre of the radial network of Spanish roads and also contains the famous clock whose bells mark the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes and the beginning of a new year.

10 min

Following, you will see the Real Casa de Postas, an administrative building, neoclassical in style which was the home to the telegraph service offices of the National Police force until it was bought by Madrid’s Regional Government in 1985.

10 min

Afterwards you will visit the Mercado San Miguel, located in the heart of the city centre, next to the historic Plaza Mayor. This historic market is not only considered beautiful but is full of food from all around the country.

10 min

We will then head to Plaza Mayor, a grand arcaded square in the centre of Madrid. First build during the Habsburg period of Philipp III’s reign, it was once the centre of old Madrid, and is very popular with locals and tourists alike today.

Admission included150 min

After a break for lunch, Since the royal family only uses it for official receptions, the Royal Palace and its over 3000 rooms are open to the public. Your engaging guide will show you the famous main staircase, designed by Sabatini, which includes over 70 steps. You’ll head into the Throne Room, and admire the ceiling painted by Tiepolo, and the Hall of Alabarderos, dedicated to the palace guards. You will be able to enjoy along the way artists such as Goya, Mengs or Giaquinto, and even take a close look at the symbols of the Spanish monarchy: the crown and the scepter.You will also discover a complete set of stringed instruments made by the legendary Antonio Stradivari. After visiting all of the rooms available to you, you’ll have walked in the footsteps of royalty, experiencing Madrid at its most elegant.

Highlights

Professional Guide
Royal Palace Admission Ticket
Guided Museum Tour & Walking Tour

What's included

Included
Professional Guide
Royal Palace Admission Ticket
Guided Museum Tour & Walking Tour
Not included
Hotel Pick -up
Gratuities

Traveller Ratings

5.0
8 reviews
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8
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Important Information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • It is imperative that you provide us with guests MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)
  • Notes: The Palace might be subjected to occasional closures or delayed opening or special event limiting access to our tour. When this occurs, we will provide guests with a reschedule option, or appropriate alternative. There is a link provided to verify beforehand the exceptional closing days online. In these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts. Appropriate dress is required for entry into some sites on this tour. Due to increased security measures at many attractions some lines may form on tours with 'Skip the Line' access.

Reviews(8)

E
emilygD4096XD
November 24, 2025
Excellent history walking tour of Old City

This was an excellent tour! Our guide, Isabella, spoke excellent English &, knew so much history of the palace & royal family... but presented it in such an interesting way... not boring at all! She recommended places to eat, and when we returned to do so, we were not disappointed.

L
Lane G
February 21, 2025
Great tour with an amazing guide

José M. was an energetic, attentive, and very knowledgeable guide. He had a great personality and speaks excellent English…by far the best of any guide I’ve had in recent memory. Put your walking shoes and prepare to get some exercise and fresh air. The skip the line aspect of the tour for the Old Palace was amazing. It likely saved us an hour of wait time. Jose methodically took us from room to room explaining all the fine details. Highly recommend.

A
adrian_b
November 23, 2024
A Great Day

Tour guide David was the best. He had so much knowledge and he made certain that we saw everything with a great explanation.

5
556selenac
August 9, 2024
Great!

Leticia was amazing! Very informative & knowledgeable, best tour guide! She was super friendly and definitely recommend!!

8
849mariok
April 25, 2024
Excellent experience

Jaime Pérez, our guide, did a great job explaining the background of the palace, the significance of the rooms, the intricacies of the paintings. He wa son time, affable and with a sense of humor

G
GoPlaces26466410074
March 18, 2024
Fantastic Palace Tour

Our tour guide Beatriz made this one of the best tours we experienced while visiting Spain. Her knowledge, expertise and beautiful ability to share Spanish history was unparalleled. I would recommend Beatriz and Babylon tours to anyone looking for an enriching and fulfilling tour experience.

D
D8669QLandreak
October 7, 2023
Great Tour

Great tour, very lovely and informative guide. Booking was easy and efficient. The communication was awesome. I would highly recommend.

8
8HeidiH8
July 24, 2023
Perfection!

Our tour Luis David was perfect! 10/10. He had perfect English and could answer any of our questions with ease. The tour was very comprehensive of Palacio Real and Old city Madrid. He was a wealth of knowledge, a Madrid native, and loved his beautiful city rightfully so. The tour was at a moderate comfortable pace. Luis David has a comfortable and open demeanor. Also the customer service was excellent as my tour itinerary had to change. They did everything they could to rearrange the schedule due to a palace closure that was out of their control (and they did not have to do that). Wow… im blown away and will definitely always see if Babylon tours are available in any city that I visit.

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