Free Tour · Bourbon Madrid
Madrid Monumental
Gran Vía, Cibeles, Puerta de Alcalá & Retiro Park
01 · The tour
The Madrid that changed Spanish history
If Old Madrid is the origin, Bourbon Madrid is the transformation. This is the city that put on its finest dress with Gran Vía, that filled itself with monumental fountains like Cibeles and Neptune, that opened the gates of Retiro Park to the people. We walk through the Madrid of cinema, of the great banking buildings, of the streets where La Casa de Papel (Money Heist) was filmed, and of European culture.
If you already know the historic centre, this is the next tour you need to take. And if you do not know it yet, it pairs perfectly with the Madrid Essentials tour to understand the whole city.
Nº0
TripAdvisor Madrid · 9 years
0,0★
30,000+ reviews
0%
Local Madrid guides
No.1 company on TripAdvisor
Best of the Best 9 years running (2017-2026) · No.1 on TripAdvisor Madrid out of more than 1,200 companies · Top 3 free tour in Europe 2026 · 30,000+ reviews.
Why our tour is special
- BEST OF THE BEST on TripAdvisor: 9 years in a row (2017-2026, only 1% of experiences worldwide receive this recognition)
- Nº1 on TripAdvisor Madrid: ranked first among 1,200+ tourism companies
- 30,000+ reviews on TripAdvisor, Google, GuruWalk and Free Tour
- Top 3 Free Tour in Europe 2026
- Over 10 years walking Madrid with travelers from all over the world
- Small groups: maximum 25 people per guide
- Exclusive audiovisual material, custom maps and our own historical guides
02 · The route
Stop by stop
We do not just show you the places. We tell you their stories, reveal their secrets and make you part of them. Our local guides, experts in anecdotes and legends, deliver a unique experience that lets you feel the true soul of modern Madrid.
- 01
Puerta del Sol
Spain's Kilometer Zero, the starting point of modern Madrid.
- 02
Calle Alcalá
One of the oldest and most elegant arteries in the city.
- 03
Royal Academy of Fine Arts
Where Salvador Dalí studied; today it holds masterpieces by Goya, Velázquez and Zurbarán.
- 04
Metropolis Building
The golden dome crowned with the Winged Victory, one of Madrid's most iconic skyline images.
- 05
Gran Vía
Madrid's Broadway: 1.3 km of theatres, cinemas and spectacular architecture.
- 06
Instituto Cervantes
The institution that defends the Spanish language worldwide, set in a converted historic bank.
- 07
Bank of Spain
The building from La Casa de Papel (Money Heist); we tell you what is really inside.
- 08
Cibeles Fountain
Madrid's symbol, where Real Madrid celebrates its trophies.
- 09
Neptune Fountain
Where Atlético de Madrid celebrates; the city's great rivalry even has a sculptural side.
- 10
Monument to the Fallen of May 2nd
The eternal flame in memory of the 1808 uprising against Napoleon.
- 11
Puerta de Alcalá
The monument that gave its name to one of Spain's most famous songs.
- 12
Retiro Park
Madrid's lung, once a private royal garden and today open to everyone.
2h 30m.Free.The Madridthatdazzles.
Limited spots per group. Booking takes 30 seconds and you pay nothing until the end.
Book my spot →Book with no upfront payment. No fixed price.
A free tour is a guided walking tour with no fixed price. You book your spot without paying in advance and, at the end of the route, you decide how much to give your guide based on how much you enjoyed it. The usual contribution in Madrid is between 15€ and 20€ per person, but it's entirely up to you.
Important
This is a walk through the Madrid of the Bourbons (Gran Vía, Cibeles, Puerta de Alcalá and Retiro Park), so wear comfortable shoes and keep your camera ready: the route is packed with viewpoints and photo-worthy facades.
Exclusive bonus when you book
When you book your spot, you do not just secure a unique walk through imperial Madrid. You also get an exclusive secret gift we hand out at the end of the tour, designed to keep the Madrid of Gran Vía and Cibeles alive in your memory long after you leave. On top of that, we send you an exclusive WhatsApp guide with the must-see places in Madrid depending on how many days you have, the best viewpoints and hidden corners to photograph Cibeles, Alcalá and Gran Vía, restaurant and rooftop recommendations with the best views, and the common tourist mistakes to avoid.
Who is it for?
Who is this tour for?
For travelers who already know Old Madrid and want to discover the other face of the city. For visitors staying several days who want to make the most of every moment. Lovers of cinema, architecture and grand monuments will feel right at home. And if you want to take the most iconic photos in Madrid (Gran Vía, Cibeles, Puerta de Alcalá) with real context instead of just posing, this is your tour.
If you have 2 days or more in Madrid, the Essentials and the Monumental tours are the perfect combination to understand the full city.
Meeting point
We meet at Puerta del Sol
How to find us
- Where
- We meet at Puerta del Sol, next to the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree (Oso y Madroño), right in front of the Apple Store. Look for our fully yellow umbrella to spot us easily in the crowd.
- The signal
- Look for the guide holding the bright yellow Trip Tours Madrid umbrella.
- Be on time
- Arrive 10 minutes early. The group leaves on time.
Confirm your spot on WhatsApp
After booking you'll get a message. Confirm it to secure your place. Spots are limited and groups fill up, especially on weekends.
+34 642 78 47 32Before you book
- Book in advance. Spots are limited to 25 people per guide.
- The tour runs in any weather. We only cancel in case of an official weather alert.
- You will receive a WhatsApp confirmation the morning of the tour with your guide's direct contact.
- Comfortable shoes are recommended for this 2h30 walk.
- Group of 8 or more? Consider a private tour, fully adapted to your pace and interests.
Reviews of this tour
What past travellers said
5.0· 3,249 reviews
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
A free walking tour has no fixed price. You book your spot for free and, at the end of the route, you decide how much to give your guide based on how much you enjoyed it. In Madrid the usual contribution is between €15 and €20 per person, but the amount is entirely up to you.
2 hours and 30 minutes. We start on time and respect the group's pace.
At Puerta del Sol, next to the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree (Oso y Madroño), right in front of the Apple Store. Your guide will be holding a bright yellow umbrella so you can easily spot us in the crowd.
Spanish and English, on separate schedules. Choose your preferred language when you book.
The Essentials Tour covers Old Madrid (medieval and Habsburg era: Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace, Mercado de San Miguel). The Monumental Tour covers 18th to 20th century Madrid (Bourbon era: Gran Vía, Cibeles, Puerta de Alcalá, Retiro). They complement each other perfectly, so if you have 2 days we recommend doing both.
Absolutely. We adapt the explanations so younger visitors stay engaged too. Children under 4 do not need a reservation.
The tour runs anyway. We only cancel in case of an official weather alert. If it rains, we let you know in advance via WhatsApp.
We pass in front of the Bank of Spain (no entry, it is an active building) and we finish at the entrance of Retiro Park. If you want to explore the park inside, we give you a map at the end with everything worth seeing.
Only at the end of the tour, in cash or by card, the amount you decide based on your experience.
If your group is 8 people or more, we have something special for you. We recommend considering a private tour, the perfect option for a unique, tailor-made experience focused entirely on what interests you most. Get in touch and we will organise it.
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