Private City Walk & Royal Palace Experience, Madrid

Name: Private City Walk & Royal Palace Experience, Madrid
Rating: 4.6 (8 reviews)

4.6 (8 reviews)

Stroll through the capital with your private guide, then step inside the Royal Palace for an in-depth look at its treasures.

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Jason B.

Nov 06, 2023
Our guide, Enrique, whom we had for the earlier Reina Sofia tour as well, had studied art history and was very knowledgeable. The walk to the... Read more

Gene C.

Oct 11, 2023
excellent and well-informed guide

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Overview

Join a private guide on a walk through the streets of Madrid, learning about the Spanish capital's most important historic and cultural highlights as you make your way toward the city's exquisite Royal Palace. Here you'll skip the lines and get an in-depth look at the 18th-century complex, built atop the site of a medieval Moorish Alcázar. See how the Bourbon Dynasty lived until 1931, and wander between grand halls, opulent rooms, and manicured gardens as your guide shares fascinating stories of Spanish royalty and points out masterpieces by artists like Velázquez and Goya.

Highlights

Get a primer on Spanish culture, history, and architecture as you stroll through the streets of Madrid
Enjoy a privately-guided visit to one of Europe's best-preserved royal residences
View the palace's Royal Armoury, Royal Kitchen, and Throne Room
Admire art by famous painters (including Goya and Velázquez) in the Painting Gallery
Peek into the neighboring Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Almudena

Know before you go

Duration
3h

Recommended for
All ages

Group
Private

What you'll do

Your excursion starts at your hotel, where your private guide will be waiting to take you on a gentle stroll through Madrid's cobbled streets toward the Palacio Royal (Royal Palace). Depending on your location, you'll have the chance to stop by some important landmarks and cultural sites along the way and get a primer on the city and its royal history from your gifted storyteller guide. As you approach the palace, hear about its painstaking construction in the 18th century and how it was built atop the remains of a medieval Moorish Royal Alcázar.

Upon arrival, you'll have skip-the-line tickets, so you can step inside and jump right into exploring the opulent rooms filled with lavish furnishings, tapestries, and frescoes. Because this is a private experience, your guide will tailor the experience to your specific interests. You could learn about past eccentric kings or how the palace has influenced music and art throughout the continent. Highlights you won't want to miss include the Royal Armoury, the Royal Kitchen, and the Throne Room. You can also visit the Painting Gallery and enjoy works by some of Spain's most beloved artists, such as Velázquez and Goya.

As your exploration comes to an end, there's one more treat in store. Your guide will walk you next door to the Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Almudena for a quick peek inside. Despite Madrid becoming Spain's capital in the 16th century, the start of construction of its cathedral wasn't started until 1879—and not completed until 1993. As a result, the interior is relatively modern, bright, and refreshing, with contemporary pops of color. You can also stroll through the Sabatini Gardens next to the palace, where the royal peacocks reside, before saying your goodbyes and parting ways with your guide.

Start times

Daily

1:30 pm, 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm

What's included

Private expert guide
Skip-the-line Royal Palace tickets

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