BOURBON MADRID PRIVATE TOUR.
Description
The tour begins by the statue of Charles III in Puerta del Sol, where we’ll dive into Bourbon Madrid, a key era that turned the city into the modern capital we know today.
Along the walk, we’ll discover important institutions created during the Bourbon period, such as the Real Casa de Aduanas or the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts, as well as essential landmarks like the Cibeles Fountain, the Bank of Spain, and the Puerta de Alcalá. We’ll wander through Retiro Park, Madrid’s most famous green lung, reaching its famous Pond, the colossal Alfonso XII Monument, and the modernist Crystal Palace. We’ll cross the elegant Parterre Garden and leave the park through the Philip IV Gate, one of its most representative entrances.
For the final stretch of the tour, we’ll reach the emblematic Church of St. Jerome the Royal, located next to the Prado Museum, one of the most important art galleries in the world. From there, we’ll walk along the historic Paseo del Prado, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021. passing by its most famous landmarks, such as the stately Madrid Stock Exchange Building, the mythical Neptune Fountain, and the solemn Plaza de la Lealtad, before finishing at the harmonious Apollo Fountain. This provides a complete perspective to understand how the city evolved into the Madrid we know today.
Itinerary
- 1

Statue of Charles III.
Meeting point next to the statue of the king who transformed Madrid into a modern European capital.
- 2

Puerta del Sol.
The heart of the city and the symbolic starting point of Spain’s national roads.
- 3

Real Casa de Aduanas.
Headquarters of a new institution created by the Bourbons for the control of goods and trade.
- 4

Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando.
Headquarters of Spain's oldest artistic institution, dedicated to the promotion and teaching of the fine arts.
- 5

San José Church.
One of the best-preserved Baroque churches in Madrid, located between Calle Alcalá and the start of Gran Vía, and famous for its striking facade.
- 6

Buenavista Palace.
A majestic 18th-century Neoclassical palace that today is the seat of the Spanish Army Headquarters.
- 7

Bank of Spain.
Headquarters of the national central bank and one of the most representative examples of Spanish eclectic architecture.
- 8

Cibeles Square and Fountain.
An iconic square of Bourbon Madrid featuring the fountain dedicated to the city's most famous goddess.
- 9

Communications Palace and City Hall.
The former main headquarters of the Post Office, now serving as Madrid's City Hall.
- 10

Linares Palace.
A splendid late 19th-century eclectic palace that now houses the headquarters of Casa de América.
- 11

Puerta de Alcalá.
A universal symbol of Madrid and the first grand monumental gate built in Europe since the fall of Rome.
- 12

Retiro Park.
Madrid's most famous park, the city's green lung and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- 13

Retiro Park Lake and Alfonso XII Monument.
The heart of the park, with the famous lake and the colossal monument dedicated to the king known as "The Peacemaker".
- 14

The Crystal Palace.
An avant-garde iron and glass structure located in one of the most beautiful corners of Retiro Park.
- 15

Parterre Garden and Philip IV Gate.
The park's oldest and most monumental entrance, a Baroque masterpiece leading into an elegant French-style garden home to the oldest tree in Madrid.
- 16

Church of St. Jerome the Royal.
A Gothic church of the former royal monastery that was the setting for royal weddings and oaths.
- 17

Prado Museum and Paseo del Prado.
A historic boulevard designed to transform Madrid into an elegant European cultural capital, home to one of the world’s finest art museums.
- 18

Plaza de la Lealtad.
Square dedicated to those executed by the French army in 1808 and to all those who fell for Spain.
- 19

Neptune Fountain.
A majestic fountain of the God of the Seas presiding over the Paseo del Prado since the 18th century.
- 20

Apollo Fountain.
One of the 3 great mythological fountains dominating the Paseo del Prado, located between Cibeles and Neptune.
Schedule and meeting point
Important information
📍 MEETING POINT AND PICK-UP.
The guide will be carrying a white Volga Tours flag and will be waiting by the statue of Charles III on horseback in Puerta del Sol. As this is a private experience, we also offer hotel pick-up if your hotel is located in the city center and is within walking distance of the tour's starting point.
🕓 DURATION.
The tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours, though it may be slightly shorter or longer depending on the group and circumstances. Since this is an exclusive tour, the pace and duration can be adapted to your needs.
💶 HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
This tour has a fixed price per group, guaranteeing an expert guide exclusively for you. There are no extra costs per person or payments at the end of the tour. The price depends on the number of participants; you can check the rates and manage your booking by contacting us through the form you can find in this page.
❌ FREE CANCELLATION.
You can cancel your booking for free up to 72 hours before the start of the activity. If you cancel later or do not show up at the agreed location, no refund will be provided.
🏰 VISITS AND ACCESS.
All visits are external. Entrance tickets to monuments or buildings are not included.
⏰ PUNCTUALITY.
We recommend arriving at the meeting point a few minutes before the tour begins. If your group or any participants are running late, please let us know as soon as possible via our contact number so the guide can find a solution. We offer a maximum 30-minute grace period. After this time, the tour will be cancelled, and no refund will be issued.
👥 GROUPS.
The tour is 100% private. No other people will be added to your group, ensuring the guide’s full attention for your family, partner, or friends.
♿ ACCESSIBILITY.
Suitable for people with reduced mobility.
🐶 PETS.
Pets are allowed during the tour.
🌦️ CLOTHING AND WEATHER.
This is a walking tour, so we recommend comfortable shoes and clothing. On sunny days, please bring water and sun protection. If rain is expected, don't forget an umbrella or a raincoat. In winter or autumn, we recommend warm clothing to protect you from Madrid's cold temperatures.
💳 PAYMENT METHODS.
Bookings are confirmed via bank transfer or Bizum.
What's included
Expert Local Guide: A local expert in Madrid’s history and culture, dedicated exclusively to you and your group.
100% Tailor-made Experience: A fully flexible itinerary based on your interests, with the option of hotel pick-up for your maximum comfort.
Extended "Premium" Route: An expanded route with extra stops that are not included in the Free Tour or standard city walks.
Total Privacy and Intimate Atmosphere: No strangers, no crowds. A personal and relaxed experience designed for you to enjoy with your family, partner, or friends.
Personalized VIP Advice: Premium tips and recommendations on the best local spots, restaurants, and shows tailored to your tastes.
Highlights
The Transformation of a capital: You’ll discover how the Bourbon dynasty turned Madrid into a grand European capital, inspired by the elegance of Paris and Rome, and how their arrival changed Spain’s destiny, for better and for worse.
The Landscape of Light: An exclusive walk through the Paseo del Prado, a UNESCO World Heritage site, an area where art, science, and nature come together in the heart of the city.
Retiro Park, a royal retreat: We’ll wander through Madrid’s most famous park, discovering its iconic spots, like the historic Great Lake and the Alfonso XII Monument, as well as the avant-garde Crystal Palace and its lesser-known corners.
Icons of Enlightened Madrid: Get a close look at the great symbols that defined the skyline of the "new" Madrid, such as the impressive Puerta de Alcalá, the famous Cibeles Fountain, and the majestic Bank of Spain.
The Madrid of institutions: We’ll learn the history of the buildings that marked the country’s cultural and social progress, such as the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, the Royal Customs House, and the world-renowned Prado Museum.
Legacy and lifestyle: We’ll analyze how the arrival of this dynasty transformed not only the architecture, but also the leisure and pace of life in Madrid, making it the vibrant city it is today.
Request your private tour
No fixed schedule: we'll contact you to agree on a date.
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