The capital of Spain has a long history that you can learn about on various Free Walking Tours in Madrid. If you have little time, a Free All-in-one Madrid City Tour will allow you to get to know both the old and modern parts of the Spanish capital in about 4 hours. If you have more time, you might consider taking a shorter Free Tour of Old Madrid (or Tour of the Habsburgs) to explore the Arab and medieval part of the city, and then booking a Free Tour of Enlightenment Madrid (or Tour of the Bourbons), which will take you through grandiose avenues of the 17th and 19th centuries. Other popular Free Tours in Madrid lead by local guides include a Myths and Legends Tour, a Food Tour, and a Retiro Park Tour. In addition, football lovers might want to consider joining a Tour around the Bernabeu Stadium, and music lovers will enjoy a Madrid of 80s Tour through legendary bars.

Most Madrid Free Walking Tours will take you for a walk around the so-called Hapsburg Quarter, in the east of the city. Here you will find The Royal Palace, Plaza de Oriente Square, the Almudena Cathedral, the remains of the centuries-old Arab wall, Sabatini Gardens, the Plaza Mayor, the Opera, Cava Baja Street and the many charming bars around La Latina neighborhood. To the east of the city, you will see the Congress, Plaza de Neptuno Square, Gran Via Avenue, Paseo del Prado, Cybele Square, Retiro Park, the Bank of Spain and much more. In Puerta del Sol, the epicenter of local life, you will find the famous statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, a representative symbol of the city. Nearby, you will discover the most famous dishes and ‘tapas’ of Spanish cuisine at the beautiful Mercado de San Miguel. A short ride away from Madrid, you can also visit El Escorial, Alcala de Henares or Aranjuez.

A must-do in Madrid is a visit to the Art Triangle: the Prado Museum, the Thyssen Museum and the Reina Sofía Museum. In addition, Madrid has charming neighborhoods travelers love to explore, such as Malasana quarter, with its charming modern cafes and gourmet shops; Lavapies neighborhood, a multicultural mosaic; and Huertas area, where you can enjoy typical tapas and Spanish wines. Lovers of luxury shopping cannot miss the elegant boutiques of Barrio de Salamanca, while cheaper shopping options can be found along Gran Via Avenue. For a day of relaxation, Madrid offers spectacular parks: Parque del Retiro, the enormous Parque del Oeste, the Dehesa de la Villa, or the beautiful Campo del Moro, right at the foot of the Royal Palace. The locals' favorite spot is the cool Madrid Rio, which follows the course of the city's river. In this area, you will find The Matadero, one of the top artistic centers of the country.