--- title: "Madrid : Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Royal Palace" lang: en alternate_de: https://guidekin.com/de/spain/madrid/tours/madrid-puerta-del-sol-plaza-mayor-and-royal-palace/ type: tour city: Madrid country: Spain price: 4 currency: EUR price_unit: per_group availability: bookable rating: 4.96 reviews: 482 duration_minutes: 150 languages: [it] free_cancellation: "true" rank_in_category: 2 of 20 (Royal Palace) schedule_checked: 2026-10-02 data_updated: 2026-10-12 canonical: https://guidekin.com/spain/madrid/tours/madrid-puerta-del-sol-plaza-mayor-and-royal-palace/ --- # Madrid : Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Royal Palace **Guidekin's take:** Walk from Puerta del Sol through Plaza Mayor to Royal Palace, taking in the Arab Wall and Almudena Cathedral. A local guide and illustrated map are included; this Italian-only walk stays outside monuments, tips are extra and booking is priced per group. 4.96 from 482 reviews at €4 per group/vehicle for 2h 30m. In our comparison: #2 of 20 in Royal Palace, by rating weighted by review volume (table below). ## Overview Explore the historic heart of Madrid with an expert local Guide: Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, San Miguel Point of Sale, the Arab Wall, Almudena Cathedral and the Royal Palace. In 2.5 hours you will discover the medieval secrets of Madrid, its hidden alleys, legends and corners that ordinary tourists never reach. We are the No.1 company on TripAdvisor Madrid among more than 1,200 tourism companies, with the Best of the Best Award for 8 consecutive years — only 1% of experiences in the world receive it. More than 20,000 reviews confirm over 10 years of touring with travelers from all over the world. Small groups, maximum 25 people per Guide. Upon Reservation receive our personalized Madrid Guide via WhatsApp. When finished, your Guide advises you where to eat and what not to miss. ## Before you book - Meeting point: Puerta del Sol, - Entry ticket not included: buy it separately - Max 25 people: shared group - 4 start times: between 11:00 and 18:00 - Food not included: bring or buy your own - Wheelchair accessible: operator-marked - Strollers OK: infants accepted **Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point ## Key facts - Price: from €4 per group/vehicle - Duration: 2h 30m - Rating: 4.96/5 from 482 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Likely to sell out - Operator: Trip Tours Madrid - Group: Shared, up to 25 travellers - Guide languages: Italian - Tickets: Admission not included, pay on site - Start times: 11:00, 16:30, 17:00, 18:00 - Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket - Price checked on Viator: 2026-10-02 ## Reviews 4.96 from 482 ratings on Guidekin & Tripadvisor. 100% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 481 of 482. - 5 stars: 468 (97%) - 4 stars: 13 (3%) - 3 stars: 0 (0%) - 2 stars: 0 (0%) - 1 star: 1 (0%) ### What reviewers say Reviewers praise the historical storytelling and relaxed pace; a few mention wet or cold conditions during the walk. **Praised:** - Historical storytelling that combines detailed explanations with humour - An easy walking pace with time for stops and questions - Useful food and sightseeing recommendations for the rest of the visit - A helpful introduction to the old town and its main sights **Complaints:** - Rain or cold wind during the walk Written by Guidekin from the 82 most recent English reviews on Tripadvisor (2024-07-29 to 2026-09-27); last checked 2026-10-04. ## What's included - Advice on restaurants and activities at the end of the tour - Personalized Guide of Madrid via WhatsApp (Reservation) - Printed material and exclusive illustrated map - Professional local Guide, expert in the history of Madrid ## Not included - Tip for Guide (delivered on completion based on satisfaction) - Entrance fees to monuments (completely open-air tour) - Food and drink ## Itinerary 1. **Puerta del Sol** (20m) - The nerve center of Madrid and Km 0 of all the streets of Spain. The history of this square from the fifteenth century, its iconic monuments — the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, the New Year's clock — and the secrets hidden in its most emblematic buildings. 2. **Plaza Mayor** (25m) - The most famous square in Madrid, built in 1619 under Philip III. Bullfighting theater, autodafé of the Spanish Inquisition and royal coronations. We will tell you the darkest and most fascinating stories that have animated these walls for 400 years. 3. **Mercado San Miguel** (10m) - One of the most beautiful iron markets in Europe, built in 1916. We explain its history and architecture, and advise you what to taste if you want to enter and discover the typical flavors of Madrid. 4. **Plaza de la Villa** (20m) - The ancient political heart of medieval Madrid and the oldest square in the city. Three centuries of architecture at a glance: Gothic, Plateresque and Baroque Madrid told by its historic buildings. 5. **Arab Wall** (10m) - The oldest remains of Madrid, from the ninth century. The original fragments of the wall that founded the city and the story of why Madrid was called "Magerit" before it became the capital of Spain. 6. **The only cathedral in Madrid, consecrated by John Paul II in 1993** (20m) - Scenario of the royal wedding of Felipe VI and Letizia in 2004. We tell you about its centuries-old history and curiosities that almost no one knows. 7. **Royal Palace of Madrid** (20m) - The largest royal palace in Western Europe, with 3,418 rooms. Facade, gardens and stories of the kings who lived there for centuries. We conclude here with the best panoramic views of Madrid. 8. **Teatro Real** (20m) - It is one of the most important theaters in Europe and the first performing arts institution in Spain. We couldn't finish this tour without seeing its imposing facade and telling you all about its history. ## Schedule - Runs: Sat, Sun - Departures: 11:00, 16:30, 17:00, 18:00 - Schedule last checked: 2026-10-02 - These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout. ## Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. ## Meeting point Puerta del Sol, next to the Bear and Strawberry Tree statue, north side in front of the Apple Store. Look for our COMPLETELY YELLOW UMBRELLA — we’ll recognize you instantly even if the square is crowded. Trouble? Write us on WhatsApp and we will help you right away. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJ53xFoYAoQg0R10_q4uDboT4 ## Good to know - Wheelchair accessible - Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller - Service animals allowed - Public transportation options are available nearby - Transportation options are wheelchair accessible - Suitable for all physical fitness levels ## Cost for your party | People | Total | Per person | |---|---|---| | 2 | €4 | €2 | | 4 | €4 | €1 | | 6 | €4 | €1 | Cheapest option for that party size from the operator's current price tiers; the calendar shows the exact figure for your date. Shared tours in Royal Palace start at €35 per person. ## Compared with other Royal Palace | Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group | |---|---|---|---|---| | **This tour · #2 of 20** | €4 per group | 2h 30m | 4.96 (482) | shared, max 25 | | [Madrid Essential: Historic Center, Plaza Mayor & Royal Palace](/spain/madrid/tours/madrid-essential-historic-center-plaza-mayor-royal-palace/?format=md) | €3 per group | 2h 30m | 4.98 (7570) | shared | | [Madrid Essential : Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Royal Palace](/spain/madrid/tours/madrid-essential-puerta-del-sol-plaza-mayor-and-royal-palace/?format=md) | €4 per group | 2h 30m | 4.94 (604) | shared | | [Royal Palace Madrid Small Group Tour with Skip the Line Ticket](/spain/madrid/tours/royal-palace-madrid-small-group-tour-with-skip-the-line-ticket/?format=md) | €50 | 1h 30m | 4.91 (233) | shared | Ranked #2 of 20 in Royal Palace by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €35 to €299, median €93; typical length 2h 30m. 9 of 20 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Full list: https://guidekin.com/spain/madrid/royal-palace-madrid/?format=md ## More in Madrid - All Madrid tours: https://guidekin.com/spain/madrid/?format=md - This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/spain/madrid/tours/madrid-puerta-del-sol-plaza-mayor-and-royal-palace/ Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/spain/madrid/?format=md