Private tours · Madrid
Madrid at Your Own Pace
A day in Madrid shaped entirely around you: the Royal Palace or the Prado in the morning, the Retiro or Salamanca's boutiques in the afternoon, and a sunset view to finish, with a driver on hand.

Madrid is a city to enjoy rather than tick off, and the best days here rarely follow a fixed script. This private experience gives you a car and driver for the day and a plan built with you in advance, so you can move between palaces, museums, parks and shops at your family's rhythm, without counting metro changes or waiting for taxis.
A typical day starts with one major visit while energy is high. You might choose the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Spanish monarchy used for state ceremonies, followed by a stroll through the Habsburg quarter around Plaza Mayor. Or you might prefer art: two focused hours in the Prado for Velázquez and Goya, the broad sweep of the Thyssen-Bornemisza, or Picasso's Guernica at the Reina Sofía.
Lunch is unhurried, as Madrid intends it to be, and if the children need a rest the driver can take you back to the hotel. The afternoon can go in very different directions. Families often head to the Retiro for rowing boats, puppet shows and shaded paths. Shoppers may prefer the elegant streets of the Salamanca district around Calle Serrano, where the driver can wait while you browse and keep bags in the car. Football fans can book a tour of the Santiago Bernabéu on a non-match day.
End the day as Madrid does: watching the sunset from the Templo de Debod, an ancient Egyptian temple set on a hill above the Royal Palace's gardens, or walking along Gran Vía as the lights come on.
For more ideas, see our Madrid destination guide, our family travel guide and our guide to shopping and tax-free refunds. This is one of our private tours, arranged on request; availability and price are confirmed by the team after reviewing your plans.
How the day flows
Indicative order — we adapt it to your pace, the heat and your tickets.
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Morning: palace or museum
Choose the Royal Palace and the Habsburg quarter around Plaza Mayor, or a focused visit to the Prado, the Thyssen or the Reina Sofía.
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Midday: lunch and rest
A relaxed lunch in a neighbourhood of your choice, with time back at the hotel if the children need a nap.
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Afternoon: park or shopping
Boats and shade in the Retiro, the boutiques of Calle Serrano, or a Santiago Bernabéu stadium tour on a non-match day.
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Evening: sunset and a stroll
The Templo de Debod at sunset or a walk along Gran Vía as the lights come on, then return to your hotel.
Included
- Private vehicle with driver for the agreed hours
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Madrid
- Itinerary planned with you in advance and adjusted on the day within the agreed hours
Not included
- Entrance tickets to museums, palaces and the stadium
- Guide inside museums or palaces (on request, subject to availability)
- Meals, drinks and shopping
- Gratuities
Practical details
- Meeting point
- Pick-up from your hotel in Madrid
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Language
- Confirmed in your proposal
- Price
- In your proposal, before you book
- Group
- Private: only your party
Good to know
- The Royal Palace can close for official events; museum hours vary by day
- Major museums are best booked in advance with a time slot
- Child seats can be requested in advance; please share ages, heights and weights
- Some central streets are pedestrian or restricted; the driver stops at the nearest permitted point
- In July and August, plan outdoor time for the morning and evening
Read before you go

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What to expect when you land at Madrid-Barajas, how each way into the city compares, and when a pre-booked transfer is worth it.

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The best shopping streets and outlet villages in Spain, when the sales are, and a step-by-step guide to claiming your VAT refund through the DIVA system.

