4 Madrid Architecture Tours Worth Flying For

1.Architecture tour Gran Vía from its best rooftops 20thC

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 3 hours 35 minutes to 4 hours (approx.) · from $216Our pick

Join architect and Madrid native Emilio for a private English-language tour of Gran Vía, beginning at the Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop and ending near Plaza de España. You’ll study Madrid’s 20th-century architecture, enter Telefónica, visit historic interiors, and finish with wide views toward the Royal Palace and Cathedral.

“I gained a new understanding of the history and architecture of the city. I felt very comfortable exchanging ideas. After this tour I looked at the city with different eyes. can’t recommend this tour enough.”

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2.Madrid Historic with an architect : Arabs, Austrias and Bourbons

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $65Best value

Walk Madrid’s old center with architect Emilio, using plans and historic photos to read the city through its buildings. In three to three and a half hours, you’ll see the Royal Palace, Arab Wall, Plaza de la Villa, San Miguel Market, Plaza Mayor, and more. It is a private English-language tour with no interior palace visit.

“Fantastic rich history shown through architecture in a beautiful city. Emilio was knowledgeable and engaged.”

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3.Architour through Lavapiés and Rastro with an architect

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $210

Join Madrid architect Emilio for a private English-language walk through Lavapiés and El Rastro. Expect corrala housing, an old Inquisition jail, Art Deco theaters, rationalist architecture, Reina Sofía’s Nouvel extension, markets, street art, and local tapas. The tour runs about three hours and ends at Mercado de San Fernando.

“Wonderful tour! Emilio had so much breadth and depth of knowledge around the history, politics and architecture of these neighborhoods. We SO appreciated his energy and enthusiasm and because of him we were able to see and appreciate many spots that we would have otherwise missed or perhaps seen but without contextualization. Our daughter is studying architecture and was in Madrid for the semester, we did this tour when we visited during her last month there. I wish she'd been aware of and able to go with Emilio for his other tour(s)-so much to learn about this beautiful city. Highly recommend booking this tour and wear your most comfortable walking…”

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4.Gran Vía Rooftops and Architecture Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 3.5 hours

Walk Gran Vía with architect and teacher Emilio, moving from the Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop to street-level landmarks and back up to Hotel RIU Plaza España. Expect architecture, politics, city history, and wide views of Madrid in a private 3.5-hour tour. English and Spanish are available.

“Emilio was amazing. He was so informative re: the architecture and history of the buildings in Madrid. He was such an excellent teacher and had a really engaging teaching style. My husband and I were so impressed by all the information he was able to provide. It far exceeded our expectations. I strongly recommend it!”

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