Madrid

Embark on a guided 2-hour tour of Madrid's Royal Palace. Admire art pieces by Giordano and Goya while exploring the palace at a peaceful time of day alongside an expert guide with in-depth knowledge about the home to Spanish Royals past and present.  Start at the Opera Metro Station in Plaza de Isabel II, home to the Teatro Royal, where you will meet your guide. After a picturesque walk through Plaza de Oriente, enjoy skip-the-line privileges before entering the palace. Relish visits to the Throne Room, Banquet Hall, and Private Royal apartments. Be amazed as to how these rooms are brought to life in an engaging and fascinating way by your professional guide. Marvel at exclusive works of art by Giordano and Goya, as well as historical articles such as historic tapestries, suits of armor, and ornate swords. Take in in the building's 19th-century design and beautiful floral layout, which serves as an excellent backdrop for memorable photos. After the guided visit, feel free to take a relaxing stroll on your own through the Royal Gardens and visit other highlights such as the Royal Armory and Pharmacy.

Immerse yourself in the history, architecture, and cultural delights of Toledo, Segovia and visit the historic and beautiful Alcázar. Choose between a shared or private tour experience departing from Madrid. Your journey into Toledo begins with a breathtaking view of the city at the Mirador del Valle, a perfect opportunity to snap a stunning panoramic photo. As you enter the old district of Toledo, a walking tour will guide you through the historical Jewish quarter. The second half of your excursion takes you to the historical city of Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire the impressive Roman aqueduct, its impressive cathedral, and marvel at the architecture from ancient Roman and medieval times.  Saving the best for last, you’ll be led to the Segovia Alcazar, one of Spain's most famous castles from the 12th century. Afterward, take some time to explore the city on your own, along with insider tips from your guide to discover hidden gems.  Enhance your experience with an optional tour of the city of Avila. Start your guided visit at the Four Postes viewpoint and admire the skyline of this ancient city. Then, follow your guide through the historic streets. Stroll past the San Vicente Church, the city walls, and the impressive Cathedral of Avila. Hear the history behind each turn and explore the plazas of Adolfo Suárez and Mercado grande.

Experience the passion of flamenco and Spanish music at the historical Torres Bermejas tablao in the heart of Madrid. Enhance your evening with a traditional menu and drinks if selected. Opened in 1960, admire the unique interiors inspired by the Bermejas towers of Granada's beautiful Alhambra. Marvel at the walls of Arabic motifs, ornate tiles and wood-carved ceilings as the flamenco performers captivate you with their unforgettable artistic interpretations. Watch the stunning choreographies of the Cuadro Flamenco, composed of the best singers, guitarists, clappers, and dancers of the flamenco tradition. Be part of this amazing folkloric culture at a flamenco night complete with dining options inspired by traditional Spanish cuisine.

Immerse yourself in the history of the Real Madrid football team in the Bernabéu Stadium museum. Tour exclusive areas, and learn all about Real Madrid's legendary players and football glory. Start your adventure with a panoramic view of the stadium, giving you an idea of the sheer greatness of the club. As you tour the stadium, hear about the different cups won by Real during its long history. Watch videos of legendary fixtures, and see some of the kits, boots, and equipment used by the team over the years. Plus, you'll have to chance to admire the vast array of club memorabilia.

Take some time getting to know Madrid while riding through the city aboard an open-top double-decker bus. With one ticket, you will be able to hop on and off the bus all day along the route of your choice, or change to another, admiring the architectural and cultural magnificence of Madrid. Commentary is available via a headphones audio system in 14 different languages. Route 1 • Museo del Prado • Puerta de Alcalá • Barrio de Salamanca • Plaza de Colón • Plaza de Cibeles • Gran Vía, 14 • Gran Vía, 30 • Gran Vía, 54 • Plaza de España • Princesa esq. Alberto Aguilera • Plaza de la Moncloa • Teleférico • Templo de Debod • Puerta de San Vicente • Puente de Segovia • Puento de Toledo • Teatro Real • Palacio Real • Puerta de Toledo • San Francisco el Grande • Catedral de la Almudena • Plaza Mayor • Puerta del Sol • Círculo de Bellas Artes • Museo Thyssen • Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía • Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid Route 2 • Plaza Neptuno • Plaza de Cibeles • Plaza de Colón • Museo Esculturas • Museo de Ciencias Naturales • Nuevos Ministerios • Santiago Bernabéu • C.S.I. Científicas • Museo Lázaro Galdiano • Serrano • Museo Arqueológico • Puerta de Alcalá • Alcalá • Puerta del Sol • Plaza de las Cortes • Plaza de Neptuno High Season: March to October 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM Low Season: November to February 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Since it opened in 1819, the Prado Museum has acquired a dazzling array of paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and decorative art that cover the history of Spanish art to form one of the finest collections of European art in the world. Based on the former Spanish Royal Collection, the Royal Museum would become known as the National Museum of Painting and Sculpture, and subsequently the Museo Nacional del Prado. The collection currently comprises around 7,600 paintings, 1,000 sculptures, 4,800 prints and 8,200 drawings, in addition to a large number of historic documents. With your full-day ticket, you will have access to more than 1,300 works currently on display in the main building. The size of this collection can cause headaches for visitors trying to choose what to see, but the Prado has organized 3 routes that focus on its masterpieces, dating from the Romanesque to the 19th century. Once inside, you can purchase an audio guide to quickly lead you to works by artists such as Bartolomé Bermejo, Pedro Berruguete, Sánchez Coello, El Greco, Ribera, Zurbarán, Murillo, Alonso Cano, Velázquez and Goya.

Enjoy fast access to the Royal Palace of Madrid, the official residence of Spanish royalty. Enter through an express security check and explore one of the world’s largest palaces. Wander the corridors that have witnessed centuries of Spanish history. Admire the architecture and decoration of the salon rooms, including frescoes by famous artists. Enter the private apartments of monarchs, visit the throne room, and stroll through the banquet halls. Witness the Hall of Mirrors from the reign of Charles IV. See artworks by painters such as Caravaggio, Juan de Flandes, Francisco de Goya, and Velázquez. Visit the Royal Armory and discover its exhibits of porcelain, watches, furniture, silverware, and more. Explore the heritage of Spain’s monarchy at the Royal Palace.

The bus will pick you up in the center of Madrid. During the bus trip to Toledo, a travel assistant will share some of the most interesting facts about the city. Discover Toledo, a city declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1986.  Once arriving in Toledo, enjoy a magnificent panoramic tour. The bus will make a couple of stops for you to photograph the most impressive views of the city. The guide will take you to the main square of Zocodover to explore Toledo. Visit Toledo's Cathedral, the second richest Catholic building in the world after St. Peter´s Cathedral in Rome. Admire the Alcazar, an impressive fortress, and El Greco's most famous painting, Count Orgaz´s Burial. Taste Toledo's signature sweet marzipan made of almonds and honey. Explore the Jewish Quarter's narrow streets, the Santa María la Blanca Synagogue, San Juan de Los Reyes Monastery, and the Christ of the Light Mosque. 

Take a day trip from Madrid to visit two of Spain's oldest cities, Avila and Segovia. Explore the rich history of these UNESCO-listed cities with a guide. Admire Avila's walls, cathedral, and Basilica of San Vicente. Then continue to Segovia's Roman aqueduct, Gothic cathedral, and Alcazar fortress. Drive for an hour from Madrid and find yourself in Avila. See the stunning 11th-century walls surrounding the city. These fortifications are the most complete in all of Spain. Next, visit the interior of the Basilica of San Vicente to see the best examples of Romanesque architecture in the country. Pass by the Plaza Mayor and the Cathedral. At your next stop, enter the church-convent of Saint Teresa of Jesus that was built by the Order of the Discalced Carmelites in the 17th century, supposedly in the same place where Saint Teresa of Avila was born. Following the visit to Avila, enjoy free time to have wine, beer, soft drinks, and an aperitif, or continue exploring the city on your own. Regroup at 2 PM to head to the city of Segovia. Begin your tour of Segovia with a visit to its main symbol, the Roman Aqueduct, as evidenced by its presence on the city's coat of arms. Pass by the Casa de los Picos, Plaza de Juan Bravo and Plaza Mayor. Arrive at the cathedral dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption and of San Frutos. Enter to see its size, elegance, and blend of late Gothic style and Renaissance features, to understand why it's called the Lady of the Cathedrals. Finally, go into the Fortress of the Alcazar of Segovia, a medieval castle, located on a rocky crag at the confluence of 2 rivers near the Sierra de Guadarrama. Witness one of Spain's most distinctive castle-palaces by virtue of its shapes, such as the bow of a ship. After the visit, start the trip back to Madrid in a comfortable bus.

Leave Madrid in the morning and travel 50 minutes to San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Visit the baths upon arrival and then begin the tour of the San Lorenzo Monastery. Learn the long history of Spain, specifically the reign of Felipe II. See the building that best summarizes the ideological and cultural aspirations of the Spanish “Golden Age” and is named a World Heritage Site. See places like the Patio de Reyes, Cloister, Chapter Rooms, The Basilica (except on Sundays), The Pantheon of Kings and Infants, and the Royal Rooms. Travel to the Valley of the Fallen located in the Peña de Cuelga Muros after leaving San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Visit its surroundings and the basilica carved into the rock, and the burial place for 33,847 people who died in the Spanish Civil War. Be amazed by the great granite cross that is visible from kilometers away.