Journey through Madrid, the land of bears
Fiery flamenco, fragrant flavors and fearless fables... Madrid is a kaleidoscope of colors, characters and cuisine. Amble through Gran Vía as your eyes dart skyward towards the classic façades and windows of lined buildings. Breathe in the warm aromas of croquetas, sweet scents of churros and lingering wafts of paella. Feel the warm caress of the Spanish sun as you twirl like your inner child to a local street performer strumming their guitar in Plaza Mayor. And connect with personal stories on one of our Madrid tours that help you discover the heart of the city.
What to do in Madrid
Discover the Temple of Debod
Bathed in golden sunlight during the day and illuminated under the dark skies of night, the Temple of Debod is a rich sight to behold. Hailing from 200 BC, this ancient temple was sent from Egyptian King Adijalamani of Meroë to honor God of Fertility and life, Amun, and Goddess of Motherhood and Healing, Isis. Wander through the stone archways to see if the swirling air hitches slightly. Peer closely at the chiseled hieroglyphics, guessing the symbols’ narrative. And simply slow the pace to a halt and bask in its mighty presence as its undeniable glow caresses your face.
Taste famous, local chocolate
Madrid is famous for plenty of local delicacies, but there is something about a smooth, blended, thick cup of chocolate that prompts you to close your eyes in warm contentment. Chocolatiers are peppered across the city with a particular favorite among the locals being Chocolatería San Ginés. Tucked in the heart of the city a short walk from San Ginés church, this home of culinary decadence began its story in 1894. Open until the early hours most nights, you will feel like a local as you settle into a chair among groups of Madrileños chatting quietly over their churros.
Find riches in the Royal Palace
The largest palace in Western Europe, the Royal Palace of Madrid boasts an eye-watering 3,418 rooms. Gilded in gold, opulence and tapestries that reflect various time periods, the palace is a maze of living history. Feel the past as it lingers with its ghostly fingertips. Visit the stone kitchen with its high archways. Weave between mannequins of horses and knights clad in armor that survived bloody battlefields of centuries gone by. Imagine the stories that not only belong to generations of the royal family, but the servants, scullery maids and cooks who lived and worked within these walls, too.
Wander Retiro Park
Called a green oasis, Retiro Park is home to more than 15,000 trees and multiple gardens filled with a diverse range of beauty, sweet scents and a calming presence among the inner jungle of the city. Stroll along its branched pathways as you discover a new setting of your own Spanish journey. Rent a rowing boat for a romantic or laughable bob and sway along the clear lake. Or venture inside the 19th-century glass pavilion where plants from distant shores bloom.
Spanish stories from a local
Be guided by the best on one of our Madrid tours which venture beyond the capital city. Each local Tour Leader is a passionate expert filled with personal tales that transport you to a cozy family hearth, the place of their favorite childhood treat, to a time where ancestors roamed and more.