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Hit the Streets of Madrid With This Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour (Includes Map)

Our self-guided walking tour shows you the top sights, world famous art and the best places to eat in Madrid.

Madrid or Barcelona? Barcelona or Madrid? Madrid and Barcelona? It took us such a long time to make up our minds when we were planning our Spain and Portugal itinerary. Eventually, we committed ourselves to Madrid and we couldn’t be happier with our decision. With only two full days in Spain’s capital, we knew that we had to use our time wisely to see the highlights and eat all the tapas that we wanted. Except for planning to visit one of Madrid’s world-famous art museums, we had no real plan before arriving, so upon arrival, we grabbed a city map from our hotel and designed our own self-guided walking tour of Madrid.

Our self-guided walking tour of Madrid is a perfect introduction to the city. But let’s be honest: with only two days and being first-time visitors it doesn’t feature any hidden gems. It’s definitely not a local’s guide to Madrid. Instead, you’ll get to see the highlights of Madrid at a leisurely pace over two days and our recommendations of where to eat.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you).

Where to Stay for this Madrid Walking Tour

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. And price. We stayed at Hostal Met Madrid which is just across the road from the Mercado de San Miguel. The room was spotless, quiet and the location can’t be beaten.

Being so central, this guesthouse is the perfect base for exploring Madrid. We walked everywhere we mention in our Madrid walking tour, except for taking the metro to the Reina Sofia museum.

Don’t think it’s a hostel ala bunkbed though. A hostal is a budget-midrange hotel, almost like a guesthouse and quite popular throughout Spain. The room was spotless, came with a small fridge and the AC was very welcome during our siesta sessions.

Hostal Met Madrid offers exceptional value for money and comes highly recommended. The money we saved on accommodation and transport went straight into our tapas/churros/sangria kitty 🙂

Check prices and availability

Madrid Self-Guided Walking Tour Map: Day 1

Day 1 of our Madrid walking tour will take in the major sights and monuments, and include stops at places to indulge in the city’s fabulous food.

Start Your Walking Tour at Puerta Del Sol

Madrid self-guided walking tour starting in Sol

Puerta del Sol, or simply Sol, is one of Madrid’s most central points from where all the city’s roads stem from. It’s also one of the busiest metro stops and the plaza is always buzzing. Sol is the starting point of our walking tour and also the gateway to many of the bars and restaurants in the immediate area.

The Tio Pepe sign advertising Andalusian sherry is one of Madrid’s famous landmarks. The man on horseback in the centre of the plaza is King Charles III of Spain . Other than tourists, street performers and businessmen you can also find the statue of the Bear and Strawberry tree here, which is a popular meeting spot. The statue represents Madrid’s coat of arms and while it’s the pride of Madrileños , you don’t have to go out of your way to see it.

Another quirky point of interest is the Kilometre Zero slab in front of the Town Hall. All major roads in Spain radiate outwards from this point.

Plaza Mayor

Entrance to Plaza Mayor, Madrid

Plaza Mayor is one of the most beautiful and famous landmarks in Madrid. The arcaded square is intimate rather than grande, and it’s indeed very picturesque. Three stories of residential buildings with wrought-iron balconies completely wrap around the Plaza Mayor.

Nine entranceways lead into the square where you’ll find an equestrian statue of King Phillip III who overlooks the international crowds and street performers.

Surrounding the square are cafes and restaurants which could make a nice place for a drink or bite to eat. But don’t eat here (yet) as our breakfast/brunch stop is just steps away. If you are staying in the area you should also come back to Plaza Mayor after dark since it has a totally different feel at night. Then you can have a drink and bite to eat here.

Eat Tapas at Mercado de San Miguel

Mercado de San Miguel on a self guided walking tour of Madrid

By now you should have worked up a nice appetite. That’s great since the stylish Mercado de San Miguel might as well be called the Mercado de Tapa Nirvana. The iron and glass art nouveau structure is one of the best places to come to experience Madrid’s excellent tapa culture. Not only are all the tapas here mini works of art in themselves, but everything we had here was damn good.

Established in 1916, this gastronomic paradise is one of Madrid’s oldest and hippest markets. The covered market has over 30 vendors, each stall perfecting one or two tapa dishes. All the tapas are beautifully displayed and we wanted to eat them all. It’s a good idea to walk through the market to see everything there is before going back to get your favourites. Good to know too is that alcoholic drinks are available. So if you feel like living it up here in Madrid, go ahead and have breakfast sangria, vermouth or beer. If saving yourself, then perhaps get a coffee. The market is open every day from 10:00 until midnight and makes a perfect stop any time of day or night. Since our hotel was just around the corner we came here a few times.

Want more food? Check out these awesome food tours in Madrid: Wine and Tapas in Madrid Lonely Planet Experiences: Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Tour Evening Tapas Tour through Madrid

Spot Unique Street Names

Madrid self-guided walking tour

Keep an eye out for the street names as you follow our walking tour. Even if you don’t speak any Spanish (like us) the pictures will pretty much tell you what it means.

We really liked looking at street names in Madrid. It seems that in days gone past each street was known for something special. As you walk around spot all these different streets. Street of the embroiderers, street of the blacksmiths, street of the clowns etc.

See the Modern Almudena Cathedral

Almudena Cathedral

Situated adjacent to the Plaza de Armas of the Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral might look old but in fact, it was only opened in 1993. Uniquely modern inside, the cathedral is Neo-Gothic in style.

It looks as if a rainbow exploded onto the ceiling with its colourful patterns and designs. The stained glass windows have a nice modern twist to them as well, and can perhaps be described as religious pop art. Entry to the cathedral is free of charge, but you’ll need to pay if you want to visit the museum.

Feel Royal at the Madrid Palacio Real

Madrid Royal Palace

Right next to the cathedral is the monumental Royal Palace of Madrid, which is the largest palace in Western Europe. The palace is home to Spain’s royal family but is only used really for state ceremonies these days. Looking at the long line kept us from looking inside. The palace is still impressive to look at from the outside though.

Top Tip: Avoid the lines and book your fast-track entrance tickets online.

Is the Plaza de Espana Open?

Madrid self guided walking tour

We came here to see the monument to one of Spain’s most beloved figures: Don Quixote. When we arrived at the plaza we were disappointed to find it all boarded up due to construction work. The text on the boards read SUMMER BITCH !

Apparently, while construction was going on they found major historic artefacts and because extensive excavation will need to be done, it will be months before the plaza reopens. Staff at our hotel told us later that it will only reopen in 2020, but no one is sure when.

Stroll & Shop on Gran Via

Madrid self-guided walking tour

Plaza de España marks the southern end of Gran Via, Madrid’s most famous shopping street . Beautiful buildings from the early 1900s line the entire length of Gran Via and you can also find Spain’s famous fashion stores such as Zara, Mango, Stradivarius and Bimba y Lola here if you’re in the mood for burning money.

Gran Via is also known as the Spanish Broadway thanks to many theatres and exciting nightlife options.

Indulge in the Best Chocolate Con Churros in Madrid

Madrid self-guided walking tour

Is it possible to put heaven into a cup? ABSOLUTELY! Time for chocolate and churros! You’ll find Madrid’s, if not the world’s, best hot chocolate tucked away in alley Pasadizo San Ginés just off the busy Calle Arena. Madrileños have been coming here since 1894 for their chocolate – churros fix.

Order a cup of thick, sweet chocolate and a plate of golden fried churros from the marble counter and the waiter will bring it to your table within minutes.

Dip your churros into the rich and smooth chocolate and you’ll soon understand why Chocolatería San Ginés has been around for more than a hundred years and people are still lining up. This place has ruined every other hot chocolate that we will ever have.

Best of all, it’s open 24 hours a day to cater to all our choco-junkies.

As a national pastime, siesta is as Spanish as Sangria, Jamon and bullfighting. After being on the streets since the morning it’s a good idea to have some downtime and experience this essential aspect of Spanish life.

Dinner in Madrid doesn’t really start until well after 21:00, so go back to your place and do as the Spaniards do and take a nice long siesta. Take a nap, read a book, watch a movie, make love, open a bottle of wine or all of the above in no particular order.

Dinner at Museo de Jamón

Entrance to the Museo del Jamon in Madrid

Not a museum in the traditional sense but indeed belongs up there with the Prado and Reina Sofia, the Museum of Ham is a casual stand and eat-at-the-counter tapas bar . One part bar, one part meat deli the Museo is always loud, always packed and everyone always seems to be enjoying life here. But then who wouldn’t with cheap beer and ham under the same roof? It was actually so good and cheap that we came here three times in two days!

A little intimidating at first, it’s best to dive right in and join the crowd at the bar. Ask for jamón, and the barman will present you with an English picture menu. Ham is not simply ham here. Hundreds of pig legs hang from the walls, so you’ll need to specify whether is jamón Ibérico or jamón serrano . There are also plates of cheese and crispy sandwiches on the menu. We really liked the Iberico and melon plate and old sheep cheese portion.

Museo del Jamón is a chain and has branches scattered throughout Madrid. We visited the one on Calle Mayor, halfway between Sol and Plaza Mayor and the branch on Plaza Mayor the next day. The one on Plaza Mayor has seating outside on the square which is good for having a bite and drink, but the branch on Calle Mayor was our favourite by far.

Madrid Self-Guided Walking Tour: Day 2

Today is museum day but we choose to visit only one of the world-famous art museums. We think that doing more than one will be draining. You can choose to visit either the Prado or the Reina Sofia, which are located near each other anyway.

The second day of our self-guided walking tour of Madrid has less walking than the first day. You’ll have plenty of time to eat tapas and drink sangria too. Sounds like a plan so let’s get going!

Breakfast at Cerveceria 100 Montaditos

Breakfast in Madrid

For breakfast, you can choose to return to the Mercado de San Miguel for tapas or Museo de Jamon for more ham and perhaps a morning beer. Or give the small but popular Cerveceria 100 Montaditos a try.

Offering breakfast options from €1, it makes the perfect breakfast spot to start your second day of our Madrid self-guided walking tour. The breakfast set of Pan con Tomate (crushed tomato toast with olive oil), jamon toast and coffee is an excellent choice for only €1.90 Throw in a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice for €2 and you have a great start to your day for €3.90. As the name suggests they also have cold beer on tap.

After breakfast walk to Sol before taking the metro to Atocha station. Known as the golden triangle of art, the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen museums are all a short walk away from Atocha station.

See The Guernica in the Reina Sofia

The entrance to the Reina Sofia art museum in Madrid

One thing we really HAD TO DO in Madrid was to visit one of its world-famous art museums . Just like our Madrid vs. Barcelona predicament before coming to Spain, we were stuck with Prado vs Reina Sofia.

In the end, Reina Sofia won since we are more interested in seeing modern and contemporary Spanish art. The Reina Sofia boasts a collection of over 21 000 works of art from the 20th century. So if modern art is your thing, you’re in for a treat.

The big draw of the Reina Sofia is Picasso’s Guernica , but it also has a handsome collection of works by Dali, Miro and Gris amongst others. The Guernica is huge; much bigger than we had anticipated. Photos showing how it evolved and how Picasso changed the painting before completion are very interesting. Photography is not allowed in the exhibition area where the Guernica is displayed.

We recommend buying your ticket online before you visit as lines to get in can apparently get ridonkeylously long. When we arrived just after opening time we walked right in without having to wait.

The museum is closed on Tuesdays. Opening hours are 10:00-21:00. The entrance price is €10 when buying at the museum, or €8 when buying online. Plan to spend at least 2.5 hours here.

Lunch at Venta el Buscon

Madrid self-guided walking tour

Take the metro back to Sol and walk a block to Calle Victoria. This little street is chockablock with great restaurants and tapas bars. All of them have lunch menus displayed outside for about €15. We ended up at Venta el Buscon which is a great little place with generous portions and friendly staff.

The lunch menu includes bread, starter, mains, dessert and a drink for €14. Our enthusiastic and charismatic waiter tried the best he could to explain the menu options to us in English. We didn’t understand that dessert was included, so when we asked for the bill after our main course (we were stuffed by then anyway) the waiter said: NO! POSTRE INCLUDED!! Not knowing what postre is, he went on to say CAKE.

Jin had a beer, prawns, calamari and tiramisu while De Wet went with vermouth, curry samosas, oxtail and cheesecake.

Venta el Buscon has superb service, a great atmosphere and fantastic food. We definitely recommend a meal here.

With your tummy full, head back to your hotel to escape the hottest part of the day. Blame the jet lag, blame the hot weather, blame all the walking or tell yourself that you’re respecting local culture, but don’t underestimate the power of a good old siesta.

Cafe Culture in La Latina

Madrid self-guided walking tour

The colourful and vibrant neighbourhood of La Latina is great for walking around and having a drink outside at one of the countless cafes and bars. Away from the main streets, you will find many small squares filled with tables and chairs and waiters willing to take your order.

If in Madrid on a Sunday you should also visit the El Rastro flea market which is held near La Latina metro station.

See the Best View in Madrid at the Circulo de Bellas Artes

Best view in Madrid

The best view in Madrid is even better at sunset. Best place to see this view? At the Circulo de Bellas Artes of course. The trendy rooftop terrace and bar on the 7th floor offer fantastic views across the Gran Via and towards la plaza Cibeles.

In summer the sun sets around 21:30 in Madrid so come here about an hour before. We had to wait in line for about 20 minutes before we could take the elevator up to the rooftop.

You need to pay €4 to take the elevator up to the rooftop, but once there you don’t have to order anything unless you want to of course.

Dinner in Plaza Mayor

Sol Plaza at night, Madrid

As we mentioned before, dinner in Madrid does not start until late at night. After seeing the sunset (around 22:00) we walked back towards Sol and on to Plaza Mayor to see it lit up at night. We decided to have dinner at the Plaza Mayor branch of Museo del Jamón . At this branch, you can sit at tables outside on the plaza, unlike the branch around the corner where you have to stand at the bar. There’s no better way to end our Madrid self-guided walking tour than putting your feet up and having sangria and ham in Plaza Mayor.

Now it’s your turn : Let us know in the comments below if you have any questions. As always we will try our best to help. Did we miss anything? Go put on a pair of comfy walking shoes and hit the streets of Madrid!

Heading to Seville? Check out how to really enjoy Seville in 3 days . Going to the Costa de Sol? Here are the best Marbella Hotels .

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Street art tours in Madrid by Cooltourspain

#1 Daily street art tour Lavapiés run by local specialists.

Street art tour lavapiés.

  • Photo Friendly
  • Kids friendly
  • All weather

Alternative street art tour Lavapiés

The art Madrid discovered differently. Join now our daily walking tour in Madrid to explore one of the most off the beaten, multicultural and colorful districts. Experience and feel the local culture. What are the backstories of each artist? What are the social issues affecting our city? Book today and participate in an interactive experience that will show you the message that lies behind the artworks of national and international artists who painted in Embajadores neighborhood.

Street art tour in Lavapies with Javier

Pioneers in street art tours

It was in 2016 when we became the first daily street art walking tours in Madrid. We support the local graffiti communities

walking tour madrid art

Passionate about graffiti

The street art tour Lavapies is led by local graffiti hunters who have been sharing their passion and knowledge for three years! We love the street art Madrid!

walking tour madrid art

  • Hands-on experience

Not only you will discover the best street art in Lavapiés, but you may also participate in a stencil graffiti development during this original tour.

walking tour madrid art

Local experts

Cooltourspain's street art tours in Madrid are never the same. Our professional guides are 24/7 graffiti hunters, who will offer you updated details.

Street art tour Lavapiés Itinerary

Street art tour lavapiés pricing.

Daily tours at 11.15AM

  • Kids & Teenagers with discount
  • Under 6 years old FREE
  • Lavapiés district
  • Local guide (ENG)
  • Stickers package
  • + Stencil graffiti
  • English language

Meeting Point

Teatro Valle Inclán  (Calle de Valencia, 1)

(Lavapiés metro station)    

Daily tours at 11:15AM

* Previous booking & confirmation required.

Street art tour Lavapies ending Point

Plaza Cascorro

(La Latina/Tirso de Molina metro stations)      

Reviews of our street art tour Lavapies

walking tour madrid art

from €25 /adult

You should expect from us a booking confirmation email in the next hours, where we’ll include the credit/debit card payment secure link from Banco Sabadell. In case of error while loading the calendar, please contact us via email ([email protected]) or phone/whatsapp +34638399784

Payment Options

We will gladly accept online payment in the methods below, as well as cash in hand for last minute reservations.

Have a Question?

Feel free to send us a Whatsapp, email or Facebook message. We will gladly answer all your questions

Related walking tours in Madrid

These are other guided visits that may be of your interest. Check them out!

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Feminist tour

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Privacy overview.

Why You Should Experience Madrid's Art With A City Walking Tour

City view of Madrid, Spain

If you've been to Spain, chances are you've either been or heard wonderful things about Madrid. With a whopping 6.7 million inhabitants according to World Population Review , Madrid is Spain's largest city. The bustling capital city is also home to sunny skies, bustling nightlife, historical buildings, and soon-to-be unforgettable memories.

The fiery region has many things to offer. Besides world-class paella simmered by the finest chefs dripping in spices, Madrid is also home to incredible foods , flamenco music, top-tier wines, impeccable architecture, pristine beaches, and more. Take a stroll down the Gran Via , Madrid's most famed street. It is lined with shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Gran Via just so happens to hold the nickname of the "Spanish Broadway." A walk down it will highlight the heart of the city and some of the most famous buildings, such as the Metropolis building and the iconic Edificio Carrión Building that has the neon-lit Schweppes sign. Composed of granite and marble, the structure dates back to 1933 and is a well-known site in the city.

There's no shortage of entertainment in Madrid. We'd be remiss if we didn't mention that the art scene in this spicy destination is unmatched. Whether you're a fan of art or not, Madrid may single-handedly be the place to reimagine art in another realm.

See Madrid's top art by indulging in an art tour

Madrid is home to many renowned artists, each highlighting various time periods and different styles. The city is simply an art lover's dream and the hub of artistic ventures, with over 40 museums  and many art galleries that are all worthy of a visit. Home of the beloved Prado museum, which holds over 2,300  paintings from elite artists (per the  Prado Museum website ), a stop-in is a must.

Designed by architect Juan de Villanueva in 1785, the museum was opened to the public in November 1819. Over the years, the museum gained immense notoriety for its collection of prized masterpieces of classical European art, which are housed on-site. From Bosch to El Greco to the beloved paintings " Las Meninas " by Velázquez and " The Family of Carlos IV " by Goya, Prado is home to it all. 

While a visit to Madrid isn't complete without a stop at the Prado Museum, what about the many other famed artists Madrid is home to, such as Picasso's "La Guernica," and "La Fuente de Cibeles" by Vincente Rodriguez? While this curated list of beloved artwork by Culture Trip highlights a few must-see items, there is much more to see, and certainly, an  art tour that highlights the best of the best .

Explore the cool spots in Madrid, like a local

Whether you're on a long holiday or cramped for time, an art tour with Cool Tour Spain should be top of mind. Seeing the renowned artwork of the region is great. Cool Tour Spain thrives on highlighting artwork from a local perspective. Created in 2016, the tour not only highlights graffiti in town along with the facts about the various neighborhoods in Madrid, guests will see a variety of contemporary art as well as bask in the architecture that makes Madrid so unique.

Per the website , each tour starts at 20 euros per person, however, as an add-on for an additional 5.00, guests can choose to try their best and stencil graffiti for a take-home souvenir. This tour ranks highly with visitors, with one commenting , "Had such an amazing time with @cooltourspain exploring the street art of #Madrid. I highly recommend booking a walking tour when you visit @Madrid." While this tour thrives on alternatives and showcasing the off-the-beaten path of the city, there are a plethora of tours offered to fit your needs for you and your group (via this top-tier list by Nomadic Matt ).

Whichever tour you opt for, an insider's perspective on this creative hub is a solid idea. Madrid's art scene is beaming with creativity and highlights a luminous aura that is hard to neglect.

walking tour madrid art

  • Cultural & Theme Tours
  • Literary, Art & Music Tours

walking tour madrid art

Madrid Golden Triangle of Art Walking Tour: Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen Museums

  • 7-hour Golden Triangle tour in Madrid
  • Visit the Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums
  • Hear fun facts about the artwork from an art-historian guide
  • See works by the likes of Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró
  • Discover art from the 12th century through to the modern day

Inclusions & Exclusions

  • Professional art historian guide
  • Admission tickets to the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum and the Thyssen Museum
  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Departure & Return

Central Madrid

Tour ends at Thyssen Museum

What To Expect

Make your own way to Madrid's Prado Museum, and look out for your guide next to the Velazquez Statue. At 9:45am, you'll start your experience with a 2-hour tour of the Prado Museum. Peruse its collections of European art that span periods from the 12th to 20th centuries, and listen to your guide's commentary to learn about the Spanish Royal Collection.After the Prado, you'll continue to the nearby Reina Sofia Museum for a 1.5-hour tour. Here, you'll encounter works by prominent Spanish artists from the 20th century such as Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso. Discover Impressionist and Expressionist masterpieces and gaze at both American and European contemporary paintings. Take a break for lunch at your own expense, then meet your guide at 3:15pm by the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum - a gallery that fills in the history left by the previous two museums. Check out Renaissance treasures and the cultural phenomenon of Pop art, and see countless portraits and landscape paintings. Your Golden Triangle art tour then ends around 5pm.

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Adult pricing applies to all travelers
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • A moderate amount of walking is involved
  • No food or personal beverages are allowed inside the museums
  • Photography is not allowed inside the museum
  • Please note that the guide will be waiting at the meeting point with a sign of Amigo Tours
  • Please note that the tour in Prado Museum has a duration of 1.5 hour but the guide requires also some extra time to organize the tickets and whispers
  • Please check which option you have chosen, as the inclusions may be differente depending on the option
  • All tours are run simultaneously in  English and Spanish

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel At least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Your Contact Details

Questions or requests.

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