Aerial view of Madrid’s Gran Vía and the domed Metropolis Building at golden hour

Spain · The Capital

Madrid

Royal palaces, three of the world’s great art museums and a food scene that runs late into the night. Experience Madrid with private guides and the best tables in town, planned by our Spain specialists.

  • 3 world-class art museums
  • 1725 Botín, the oldest restaurant
  • 33 min by train to Toledo

Hassle-Free Dream Travel!

Google ★★★★★ 5.0 · 601 reviews
Patricia DiMichele
★★★★★
I would not have been able to take this trip to Spain with my sons without CeCe's thorough planning. She guided me through all the planning decisions that needed to be made, made all the necessary arrangements and reservations and then helped us when we had some travel issues while we were there. Most importantly she listened to what we wanted and designed the trip around that. And everything we needed on the trip was easily accessed by all of us on the Axus app!
Jim Kelly
★★★★★
Jordan Hall and the Travel Byrds team did a fantastic job helping us plan and execute our recent trip to Octoberfest, Dolomites, Lake Como, and Tuscany. Jordan is very knowledgeable and organized, and guided us all the way through the process. I highly recommend Jordan and her team, and we will definitely use her for all future trips.
Jennifer Polito
★★★★★
Thank you so much to Kika for setting up our vacation and taking all the headache out of getting us ready to go. We love working with you every time and we appreciate you so much!
Jennjfer Metz
★★★★★
Christina was amazing. She was always available for questions or concerns both before and during our trip to Greece. She and her team made sure our trip was exactly what we wanted. We were able to cancel an adventure with no problem while we were already on our vacation. Our trip was so awesome due to Christina and her team! We will use Travel Byrds again!
Sally Purdy
★★★★★
Monica Bowen, from Travel Byrds provided excellent service for our trip to Ireland and Scotland. Everything was perfect from all our hotels and one vrbo/airbnb to the most fabulous driver Loraine Doyle! All the activities we chose to partake in from her numerous suggestions were fabulous! Thank you!
Heidi Loughran
★★★★★
We laid out an idea of a trip to Ireland for a week and then on to Italy for a week. Alex took it from there! She booked our flights, our transfers, our excursions, our hotels, our rental car. She conferred with us every step of the way. She kept within our budget. She had tips and travel wisdom we would have never known on our own. She was completely available for any questions we had even while on our trip. Our excursions were Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse (it was sold out on arrival but we had booked ahead at Alex’s recommendation!) We saw Connemara and Killarney National Park, Kylemore Abbey, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Cork, Blarney Castle. All went without a hitch. In Italy she booked an all day boat ride on the Amalfi Coast that was exquisite. She booked St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican, Vatican museum, colosseum, forum Palantine Hill in Rome with passes that took us to the front of the line, a rental car to drive to Lanciano and the Adriatic. She booked our trains to Rome and Florence. She booked the Uffizi in Florence and a wine tour in Tuscany. All the tickets are held in one place on the Travel Byrds app that you don’t need Wi-Fi to pull up. No scrambling to find tickets. Recommendations and information about each site is provided. Each hotel she booked was absolutely lovely with incredible service. We could not have found these places on our own. I will never travel again without Alex. I want to shout it from the rooftops! You will save money, save headaches and see things, experience the world far better than if you try it on your own! Thank you Alex for your travel wisdom, kindness, and for making our dream come true!
Mary Foster
★★★★★
I met Christina (CeCe) when I joined a group to travel to Madagascar and the Seychelles recently. The trip was action packed, well paced, and entirely enjoyable. CeCe was on the ball each and every day to handle the needs of our group. The accommodations, tour guides, experiences and restaurants she arranged included many local places we visited and allowed us to immerse ourselves in the local cultures and people. It was an unforgettable trip and I will never forget CeCe and all she did for all of us (especially me and my travel partner!). She is a treasure and knows what she's doing!
Loren Wray
★★★★★
Excellent service for folks who love to vacation but hate the details involved. My travel bird researched and booked my entire vacation leaving me to simply show up and enjoy! The price of the service also, cannot be beat. I strongly recommend Erika and Travel Byrds.
Ryan Myers
★★★★★
We used Travel Byrds for the first time this summer to help plan a family trip to Italy and Tera was wonderful! She really took the time to listen to our needs and was patient as we inevitably made several changes to our plan. The trip was amazing and her help did not end when we left. I would highly recommend Tera and the Travel Byrds!
Lauren Merrill
★★★★★
Ashley was amazing to work with while planning our honeymoon! We felt super safe while getting to our resort with the private transportation she booked and we stayed at a beautiful resort that was perfect for us! We highly recommend Ashley!
Melissa Brown
★★★★★
I had never worked with a travel advisor before and wasn't sure what to expect. From my first conversation with Ashley, I immediately felt comfortable. She listened to what I wanted, gave me different options and helped me work through them without making anything feel overwhelming. Once we decided, she handled EVERYTHING. I didn't realize how much time and stress goes into planning a trip until I didn't have to do it myself! No hours of research, comparing endless options, nervously double-checking reservations or keeping track of confirmation numbers. Ashley handled it all, and everything we needed while traveling was organized right in the app. I'm honestly kicking myself for not using a travel advisor sooner. The entire experience was so much easier, and I can't wait to work with her again.
Carina Brown
★★★★★
Our Asheville girls trip was the perfect combination of nature, great food and beautiful scenery. Ashley built the itinerary around exactly what we wanted. We ziplined through the fall foliage, explored the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiked trails that matched our abilities, toured the Biltmore and took in the views from Chimney Rock. She also found amazing local restaurants and handled our reservations. Watching the sunset over the mountains during dinner at the Omni Grove Park Inn was unforgettable. The best part was never having to ask, "What do you want to do today?" Everything was thoughtfully planned, but we still had the freedom to enjoy the trip at our own pace. We could just be present and enjoy our vacation instead of spending it figuring out what to do next.
Cindy Keys
★★★★★
Gina Radar agent and Travel Byrds did an exceptional job making sure everything worked seamlessly during my recent trip to Italy/Greece. Personalized service and worry free! I highly recommend Gina and Travel Byrds!
Alli M
★★★★★
Tera and Flora were absolutely amazing to work with! We could not have had a better experience with them and the amazing trip they planned for us! I wish I could give more than 5 stars. They helped us plan our Honeymoon to Italy and through their app they have everything laid out for you along with guidance and advice depending on where you are going! They were very adaptive to any alternatives we wanted to make and were so quick to make bookings for us. Highly highly recommend Travel Byrds for a perfectly planned trip!!
Kim Kaas
★★★★★
Maggie did it again!! A trip to Hawaii should not be considered without Maggie and Travel Byrds to assist with making it a trip you will never forget! Thank you for helping us create memories to last a lifetime!
Ariyah Robinson
★★★★★
Jeffrei did a wonderful job planning my birthday trip! She gave us wonderful recommendations for Cancun. She listened to our preferences and found us the perfect resort fit within our budget!
Shannon Housley
★★★★★
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Erin at The Travel Birds! This was my first time ever using a travel agent, and as someone who is admittedly a bit of a control freak when it comes to travel, handing over the planning was a big deal for me. I typically spend hours researching and planning every detail of our trips myself. But when we decided to spend 12 days traveling through Ireland—and I knew I would also be driving—I started feeling a little overwhelmed trying to coordinate the itinerary, accommodations, transportation, and all of the details that go along with a trip like this. That’s when Erin stepped in, and I am SO glad she did. She took care of everything and planned an absolutely wonderful vacation for us while staying within our budget. It was such a relief knowing that all of the details had been thought through and taken care of, and I was actually able to look forward to the trip instead of stressing over planning it. Erin was incredible to work with, and the entire experience completely changed my mind about using a travel agent. I would 100% recommend Erin and The Travel Birds to anyone planning a vacation—especially if you want someone you can trust to handle the details and make the process easy. I can confidently say I’m officially converted! Erin and The Travel Birds will be planning our future vacations from here on out. ❤️✈️
Patricia DiMichele
★★★★★
I would not have been able to take this trip to Spain with my sons without CeCe's thorough planning. She guided me through all the planning decisions that needed to be made, made all the necessary arrangements and reservations and then helped us when we had some travel issues while we were there. Most importantly she listened to what we wanted and designed the trip around that. And everything we needed on the trip was easily accessed by all of us on the Axus app!
Jim Kelly
★★★★★
Jordan Hall and the Travel Byrds team did a fantastic job helping us plan and execute our recent trip to Octoberfest, Dolomites, Lake Como, and Tuscany. Jordan is very knowledgeable and organized, and guided us all the way through the process. I highly recommend Jordan and her team, and we will definitely use her for all future trips.
Jennifer Polito
★★★★★
Thank you so much to Kika for setting up our vacation and taking all the headache out of getting us ready to go. We love working with you every time and we appreciate you so much!
Jennjfer Metz
★★★★★
Christina was amazing. She was always available for questions or concerns both before and during our trip to Greece. She and her team made sure our trip was exactly what we wanted. We were able to cancel an adventure with no problem while we were already on our vacation. Our trip was so awesome due to Christina and her team! We will use Travel Byrds again!
Sally Purdy
★★★★★
Monica Bowen, from Travel Byrds provided excellent service for our trip to Ireland and Scotland. Everything was perfect from all our hotels and one vrbo/airbnb to the most fabulous driver Loraine Doyle! All the activities we chose to partake in from her numerous suggestions were fabulous! Thank you!
Heidi Loughran
★★★★★
We laid out an idea of a trip to Ireland for a week and then on to Italy for a week. Alex took it from there! She booked our flights, our transfers, our excursions, our hotels, our rental car. She conferred with us every step of the way. She kept within our budget. She had tips and travel wisdom we would have never known on our own. She was completely available for any questions we had even while on our trip. Our excursions were Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse (it was sold out on arrival but we had booked ahead at Alex’s recommendation!) We saw Connemara and Killarney National Park, Kylemore Abbey, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Cork, Blarney Castle. All went without a hitch. In Italy she booked an all day boat ride on the Amalfi Coast that was exquisite. She booked St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican, Vatican museum, colosseum, forum Palantine Hill in Rome with passes that took us to the front of the line, a rental car to drive to Lanciano and the Adriatic. She booked our trains to Rome and Florence. She booked the Uffizi in Florence and a wine tour in Tuscany. All the tickets are held in one place on the Travel Byrds app that you don’t need Wi-Fi to pull up. No scrambling to find tickets. Recommendations and information about each site is provided. Each hotel she booked was absolutely lovely with incredible service. We could not have found these places on our own. I will never travel again without Alex. I want to shout it from the rooftops! You will save money, save headaches and see things, experience the world far better than if you try it on your own! Thank you Alex for your travel wisdom, kindness, and for making our dream come true!
Mary Foster
★★★★★
I met Christina (CeCe) when I joined a group to travel to Madagascar and the Seychelles recently. The trip was action packed, well paced, and entirely enjoyable. CeCe was on the ball each and every day to handle the needs of our group. The accommodations, tour guides, experiences and restaurants she arranged included many local places we visited and allowed us to immerse ourselves in the local cultures and people. It was an unforgettable trip and I will never forget CeCe and all she did for all of us (especially me and my travel partner!). She is a treasure and knows what she's doing!
Loren Wray
★★★★★
Excellent service for folks who love to vacation but hate the details involved. My travel bird researched and booked my entire vacation leaving me to simply show up and enjoy! The price of the service also, cannot be beat. I strongly recommend Erika and Travel Byrds.
Ryan Myers
★★★★★
We used Travel Byrds for the first time this summer to help plan a family trip to Italy and Tera was wonderful! She really took the time to listen to our needs and was patient as we inevitably made several changes to our plan. The trip was amazing and her help did not end when we left. I would highly recommend Tera and the Travel Byrds!
Lauren Merrill
★★★★★
Ashley was amazing to work with while planning our honeymoon! We felt super safe while getting to our resort with the private transportation she booked and we stayed at a beautiful resort that was perfect for us! We highly recommend Ashley!
Melissa Brown
★★★★★
I had never worked with a travel advisor before and wasn't sure what to expect. From my first conversation with Ashley, I immediately felt comfortable. She listened to what I wanted, gave me different options and helped me work through them without making anything feel overwhelming. Once we decided, she handled EVERYTHING. I didn't realize how much time and stress goes into planning a trip until I didn't have to do it myself! No hours of research, comparing endless options, nervously double-checking reservations or keeping track of confirmation numbers. Ashley handled it all, and everything we needed while traveling was organized right in the app. I'm honestly kicking myself for not using a travel advisor sooner. The entire experience was so much easier, and I can't wait to work with her again.
Carina Brown
★★★★★
Our Asheville girls trip was the perfect combination of nature, great food and beautiful scenery. Ashley built the itinerary around exactly what we wanted. We ziplined through the fall foliage, explored the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiked trails that matched our abilities, toured the Biltmore and took in the views from Chimney Rock. She also found amazing local restaurants and handled our reservations. Watching the sunset over the mountains during dinner at the Omni Grove Park Inn was unforgettable. The best part was never having to ask, "What do you want to do today?" Everything was thoughtfully planned, but we still had the freedom to enjoy the trip at our own pace. We could just be present and enjoy our vacation instead of spending it figuring out what to do next.
Cindy Keys
★★★★★
Gina Radar agent and Travel Byrds did an exceptional job making sure everything worked seamlessly during my recent trip to Italy/Greece. Personalized service and worry free! I highly recommend Gina and Travel Byrds!
Alli M
★★★★★
Tera and Flora were absolutely amazing to work with! We could not have had a better experience with them and the amazing trip they planned for us! I wish I could give more than 5 stars. They helped us plan our Honeymoon to Italy and through their app they have everything laid out for you along with guidance and advice depending on where you are going! They were very adaptive to any alternatives we wanted to make and were so quick to make bookings for us. Highly highly recommend Travel Byrds for a perfectly planned trip!!
Kim Kaas
★★★★★
Maggie did it again!! A trip to Hawaii should not be considered without Maggie and Travel Byrds to assist with making it a trip you will never forget! Thank you for helping us create memories to last a lifetime!
Ariyah Robinson
★★★★★
Jeffrei did a wonderful job planning my birthday trip! She gave us wonderful recommendations for Cancun. She listened to our preferences and found us the perfect resort fit within our budget!
Shannon Housley
★★★★★
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Erin at The Travel Birds! This was my first time ever using a travel agent, and as someone who is admittedly a bit of a control freak when it comes to travel, handing over the planning was a big deal for me. I typically spend hours researching and planning every detail of our trips myself. But when we decided to spend 12 days traveling through Ireland—and I knew I would also be driving—I started feeling a little overwhelmed trying to coordinate the itinerary, accommodations, transportation, and all of the details that go along with a trip like this. That’s when Erin stepped in, and I am SO glad she did. She took care of everything and planned an absolutely wonderful vacation for us while staying within our budget. It was such a relief knowing that all of the details had been thought through and taken care of, and I was actually able to look forward to the trip instead of stressing over planning it. Erin was incredible to work with, and the entire experience completely changed my mind about using a travel agent. I would 100% recommend Erin and The Travel Birds to anyone planning a vacation—especially if you want someone you can trust to handle the details and make the process easy. I can confidently say I’m officially converted! Erin and The Travel Birds will be planning our future vacations from here on out. ❤️✈️

Meet the city

The Madrid Highlights

Spain’s capital is grand by day and lively by night. Tap through to explore its royal and artistic heart.

The Royal Palace of Madrid behind its ornate iron gates

One of Europe’s largest palaces

The Royal Palace is the official residence of the Spanish royal family, though today it’s used for state ceremonies. Its more than 3,000 rooms include the gilded Throne Room and a royal armory.

Next door, the Almudena Cathedral and the Sabatini Gardens complete a perfect morning, especially with a private guide.

  • Private guided palace tour
  • The Royal Armory and Throne Room
  • Sunset at the nearby Temple of Debod
The Cibeles Palace and fountain at the start of Madrid’s Paseo del Prado

The Golden Triangle of Art

Three great museums sit within walking distance along the Paseo del Prado: the Prado, with Velázquez, Goya and El Greco; the Reina Sofía, home to Picasso’s Guernica; and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, which spans the centuries.

An expert art guide helps you see the masterpieces without the overwhelm, at your own pace.

  • Velázquez’s Las Meninas at the Prado
  • Picasso’s Guernica at the Reina Sofía
  • Private, skip-the-line tours
Madrid’s Gran Vía lit up at dusk beneath a dramatic sky

Madrid’s grand boulevard

Built in the early 20th century, Gran Vía is lined with theaters, shops and elegant buildings like the Metropolis, with its famous winged statue on the dome.

Rooftop bars along the boulevard offer some of the best sunset views in the city.

  • Rooftop drinks at sunset
  • Theater and musicals
  • Shopping in the Salamanca district nearby
Madrid’s rooftops and skyline with a Spanish flag flying in the foreground

Plazas, markets and tapas

The heart of old Madrid revolves around the arcaded Plaza Mayor and the Puerta del Sol. Just beyond, the Mercado de San Miguel and the lanes of La Latina are perfect for a tapas crawl.

Finish with chocolate and churros at a classic chocolatería, or dinner at Botín, recognized as the world’s oldest restaurant.

  • Tapas in La Latina
  • Plaza Mayor and Mercado de San Miguel
  • Churros and hot chocolate
Almudena Cathedral in Madrid glowing in the late-afternoon sun

The cathedral beside the palace

Facing the Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral took more than a century to complete and was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993. Its bright, modern interior surprises many visitors.

Climb to the dome for one of the best views over the palace and the Casa de Campo beyond.

  • Views from the dome
  • Combine with the Royal Palace
  • Quiet early-morning visits

In the city and beyond

Things to Do and Day Trips

Madrid sits at the center of Spain’s high-speed rail network, so historic cities are a short ride away. Filter by what you love.

Toledo’s Alcázar crowning the hilltop old town under a blue sky33 min by train

Toledo

The “City of Three Cultures,” where Christian, Jewish and Muslim heritage meet in a hilltop maze of lanes above the Tagus River.

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The high-speed train takes about 33 minutes. Visit the cathedral, the El Greco museum and a damascene workshop, and save room for marzipan.

Salamanca’s cathedral and old town above a stone bridge over the river1.5 hrs by train

Salamanca

Spain’s oldest university city, built of golden sandstone, with one of the country’s most beautiful plazas.

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About an hour and a half by train. Look for the little astronaut carved into the cathedral doorway during a 1990s restoration.

The futuristic City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia reflected in still waterUnder 2 hrs by train

Valencia

Paella’s hometown, with the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences and long Mediterranean beaches.

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The high-speed train takes under two hours, making Valencia an easy overnight or a stop on the way to the coast.

Flamenco dancers in traditional dresses performing in a Spanish plazaEvenings

Flamenco in a tablao

Madrid has some of Spain’s best flamenco venues. We reserve front-row seats at an intimate show, often with dinner.

Golden Spanish empanadillas served on a patterned plateAfternoons

A private tapas tour

Hop between classic bars in La Latina and Huertas with a local guide, from jamón and croquetas to vermouth on tap.

Madrid’s Gran Vía lit up at dusk beneath a dramatic skySunset

Rooftops on Gran Vía

Madrid’s rooftop terraces are the place to be at sunset, with views over the domes and the boulevard.

Read moreShow less

Pair a rooftop drink with a show in one of Gran Vía’s theaters, then a late dinner nearby.

Know before you go

How to Do Madrid Well

Madrid runs on its own clock. These tips help you enjoy it like a local.

Timing

Late nights are normal

Lunch is from 2 pm and dinner rarely before 9 pm. Siesta-time quiet and late nights out are part of the rhythm.

Museums

Go early or with a guide

The Prado and Reina Sofía are busiest at midday. Timed tickets and a private guide make a big difference.

Where to stay

Central and characterful

We love the area around the Paseo del Prado, the elegant Salamanca district and the streets near Gran Vía.

Getting around

Trains for day trips

High-speed trains from Atocha and Chamartín reach Toledo, Segovia and beyond. In town, walk or use private drivers.

Climate

Hot summers, crisp winters

Madrid sits high on the central plateau. July and August are hot and dry, while winter days are often cold but sunny.

Sundays

The Rastro market

Madrid’s famous flea market fills the streets of La Latina on Sunday mornings, followed by tapas nearby.

Work with One of Our Travel Experts

The average person takes over 11 hours researching their vacation. Take that time back and let us handle the nitty gritty of reading reviews, asking questions, comparing hotels and more.

The Alhambra palace in Granada at sunset with the Sierra Nevada behind

After a true deep dive into your requests, your travel agent will come back with a variety of suggested hotels, activities, and surprise experiences. You tell us which ones fit you best and we'll work through the logistics!

Barcelona’s rooftops stretching to the sea, framed by the spires of the Sagrada Família

You'll be equipped with an itinerary complete with the details of your trip. If anything happens along the way, you can relax knowing your travel agent will take care of everything!

Sailboats anchored in the turquoise water of Cala Macarella, Menorca

Good to know

Madrid FAQs

How many days do I need in Madrid?

Three days covers the palace, the art museums and the old town. Add a day for each day trip, such as Toledo or Segovia.

Is Madrid or Barcelona better?

Both, if you can. Madrid is about art, royal history and tapas, while Barcelona brings Gaudí and the beach. The high-speed train links them in about two and a half hours.

What is the best time to visit Madrid?

April to June and September to October are ideal. Summer is hot, and many locals leave the city in August. See our best time to visit Spain guide.

Do I need to book the Prado in advance?

It’s a good idea. Timed tickets save waiting in line, and a private guide helps you focus on the masterpieces.

Is Madrid a good base for day trips?

Yes. Toledo, Segovia and El Escorial are under an hour away, and Salamanca and Ávila are easy by train or with a private driver.

Your Dream Spain Getaway

Madrid is a feast of art, royal history and late-night tapas. Tell us about the trip you’re dreaming of, and one of our Spain specialists will start designing it with you.

  • A tailor-made itinerary, designed around you
  • Tickets, guides and transfers handled
  • Hand-picked hotels with exclusive perks

Start Planning Your Tailor-Made Trip by Contacting One of Our Spain Specialists

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