Madrid: Big Bus Hop On Hop Off & 3 Routes

Three Routes Through Madrid From the Top Deck of a Double-Decker Bus

You board an open-top double-decker bus and ride three separate routes through Madrid's historic center, modern districts, and landmark neighborhoods. Audio commentary in ten languages plays on demand as you pass the Royal Palace, Prado Museum, Santiago Bernabéu, Retiro Park, and dozens of plazas and monuments. You hop off whenever something catches your eye and catch the next bus when you're ready — your 24 or 48-hour ticket covers all three routes, so you're not locked into a single loop.

Step-by-step itinerary

• View Plaza Mayor
• Pass Puerta de Alcalá
• See Plaza de Cibeles
• View Royal Palace of Madrid
• Pass Temple of Debod
• See Plaza de Colón
• View Plaza de España
• Pass Cibeles Fountain
• View Prado Museum
• See Royal Botanical Garden
• Pass Atocha Train Station
• View Reina Sofia Museum
• Pass Lavapies neighbourhood
• See Biblioteca Nacional de España
• Pass Gran Via
• View Chueca neighbourhood
• Pass Malasaña neighbourhood
• See Cibeles Fountain again
• Pass Paseo del Prado
• View Basilica of San Francisco el Grande
• See Almudena Cathedral
• Pass Retiro Park
• View Las Ventas Bullring
• Pass Serrano neighbourhood
• See Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

The Experience

Settling into a seat on the open-top deck, the city unfolds in front of you without the usual street-level scramble. That's the whole point of a hop on hop off tour in Madrid — you pick the pace, you choose which stops matter, and you get the 360-degree view that a ground-level walk can't give you. The Big Bus Madrid tour runs three separate routes through different parts of the city, so you're not locked into one loop. The Historic Route (purple) takes you through the old quarters and past the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, and Plaza Mayor. The Modern Route (blue) heads out to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The third route (orange) swings toward Las Ventas Bullring. You get 24 to 48 hours of access depending on which ticket you pick, which means you can ride one route all the way through, hop off at a museum or a plaza, and catch the next bus when you're ready to move on.

The audio commentary runs in ten languages, so you're not dependent on a guide's pace or personality — you listen when you want, skip what doesn't interest you, and rewind if you miss something. The bus stops at all the major landmarks: the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía, Thyssen-Bornemisza, Retiro Park, Atocha Station, the Royal Botanical Garden, Cibeles Fountain, and neighborhoods like Malasaña and Chueca. Some stops are just a view from the bus; others are places you'd want to get off and spend an hour. The route passes through Gran Vía, Paseo del Prado, and smaller plazas you'd miss if you were only walking the main tourist drag. If you're traveling with small children, strollers are fine, and the open-top design means even a toddler gets the view.

The real advantage here is that you're not negotiating metro transfers or trying to figure out which street leads where. You see the city's layout from above, get a sense of how neighborhoods connect, and then decide where to spend your time on foot. It's especially useful if you've got a couple of days in Madrid and want to hit the major sights without the logistics of planning transport between them. The 24-hour pass works well if you're doing a quick sprint; the 48-hour option gives you breathing room to actually stop and look at things.

What’s included

• Open-top double-decker bus access.
• 24 or 48-hour hop on hop off validity across all 3 routes.
• audio commentary in 10 languages.
• panoramic views of the Royal Palace, Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Las Ventas Bullring, Retiro Park, Atocha Station, Royal Botanical Garden, Cibeles Fountain, Almudena Cathedral, Plaza Mayor, and neighborhoods including Malasaña, Chueca, Lavapíes, and Serrano.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Big Bus Madrid

Is this one for you?Best for travelers who want to see Madrid's main sights without arranging separate transport between them, and who prefer flexibility over a fixed schedule — the hop on hop off format means you control where you stop and how long you stay.

Traveler reviews

3.68★★★★★★★★★★

340 verified traveler reviews

5 ★163

4 ★56

3 ★35

2 ★21

1 ★65

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

How often do the buses come?

The reference content doesn't specify the frequency between buses on each route. Check with the operator for current wait times at different stops.

Can I get off the bus and explore, then get back on later?

Yes. Your ticket is valid for 24 or 48 hours across all three routes, so you can hop off at any stop, spend time exploring, and board the next bus that comes along.

Is the audio commentary included?

Yes. Audio commentary in 10 languages is included with your ticket. You control when you listen using the provided headsets.

Which route should I do first?

The Historic Route (purple) covers the old city center and Royal Palace; the Modern Route (blue) goes to Santiago Bernabéu; the Orange Route heads to Las Ventas Bullring. There's no required order — pick based on what interests you most.

Is this suitable for families with young children?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and the open-top bus gives everyone a good view. The service is suitable for all fitness levels.

Do I need to book stops in advance?

No. You simply board at any stop along the routes and hop off wherever you'd like. No advance booking of individual stops is required.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are allowed on the bus.

What's the difference between the 24-hour and 48-hour tickets?

The 24-hour ticket gives you one full day of hop on hop off access across all three routes. The 48-hour ticket extends that to two days, giving you more time to explore each area without rushing.