Madrid Highlights by Bike: Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor & Retiro

Three hours on two wheels past the Royal Palace, through Plaza Mayor's arcades, and into Retiro Park

A 3-hour bike tour of Madrid with a local English-speaking guide covers the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, Plaza Mayor, Temple of Debod and Retiro Park, with regular photo stops and a refreshment break included. The tour stays under 15 riders and suits all cycling abilities. Bicycle, helmet and guide are provided. Children from age 2 are welcome, and specialized infant seats are available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Royal Palace of Madrid5m
2. Almudena Cathedral5m
3. Prado Museum5m
4. Temple of Debod5m
5. Plaza Mayor5m
6. Retiro Park20m

Explore Madrid's main landmarks by bike

• Visit Royal Palace of Madrid
• See Almudena Cathedral
• Pass Prado Museum
• Visit Temple of Debod
• Explore Plaza Mayor
• Relax at Retiro Park with refreshment

The experience

The route starts at the Royal Palace, the largest royal palace in Western Europe and the official residence of Spain's kings since Charles III. From there, the guide leads you past the Almudena Cathedral, which stands in Hapsburg Madrid and took decades to complete after its foundation stone was laid in 1883. You'll stop to photograph both structures and hear the stories behind them before moving into the heart of the old city.

Plaza Mayor comes next: the arcaded square at the center of Hapsburg Madrid where you'll have time to walk the colonnades and take in the scale of the space. Then the route takes a turn toward something unexpected: the Temple of Debod, an Egyptian temple from the 2nd century BC that was transported to Madrid and reassembled in Cuartel de la Montaña Park after the Egyptian government donated it to Spain to save it from flooding. It's the kind of landmark most visitors miss, and the guide explains how it ended up here.

The final stretch moves into Retiro Park, where the pace slows and you stop for refreshment. The park spreads across a wide area developed under the Catholic Monarchs in the early sixteenth century, and the bike lets you cover ground without the fatigue of walking. You'll see why the park is the real draw of this neighborhood: cultural attractions, tree-lined paths, and the space to breathe after three hours of moving through the city's denser streets.

What’s included

• Bicycle and helmet for each rider.
• local English-speaking guide leading the group.
• refreshment break in Retiro Park.
• regular photo stops at each landmark.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:00Last departure this season: 30 Nov

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 11 years)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Trixi Bike Tours Madrid

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to cover Madrid's main landmarks in a single morning or afternoon by bike rather than on foot, which lets you see more ground in less time.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (2 to 11 years).

What's the Royal Palace actually like when you ride past it?

The Royal Palace is the largest royal palace in Western Europe and serves as the official residence of Spain's kings, though it hasn't been their home since Alfonso XIII. The bike tour stops here so you can photograph it and hear the history from your guide before moving on to the next landmark.

Is there time to walk around Plaza Mayor on this tour?

Yes. Plaza Mayor is a stop on the route, and you have time to walk through the arcaded square at the heart of Hapsburg Madrid and take photographs before the group moves on to the next site.

What is the Temple of Debod and why is it in Madrid?

The Temple of Debod is an Egyptian temple dating back to the 2nd century BC that was transported to Madrid and reassembled in Cuartel de la Montaña Park. The Egyptian government donated it to Spain to save it from flooding after the construction of the Aswan Dam.

Do I need to be an experienced cyclist for this tour?

No. The tour is designed for all cycling abilities and only a moderate level of fitness is required. The pace includes regular stops for photos and information, so you're not riding continuously for three hours.

What happens in Retiro Park during the tour?

Retiro Park is the final stop on the route, and the tour includes a refreshment break there. You'll bike through the park's paths and have time to see why it's the main attraction of the neighborhood before the tour ends.