Madrid: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour 3 Routes & Santiago Bernabéu

Three Routes Through Madrid, No Schedule But Your Own

You board a bus and choose your own route through Madrid's three distinct circuits, hopping off at Santiago Bernabéu, Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía, Temple of Debod, or any of the other stops that appeal to you. The app tracks buses in real time so you're never guessing when the next one arrives. Your 24 or 48-hour ticket covers all three routes and stays valid for three months, so you can spread the sightseeing across multiple days if you prefer.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Start at Neptuno stop
• Take Contemporary Madrid Route
• Visit Puerta de Alcalá and Casa Árabe
• See Goya and Plaza de Toros
• Stop at Colon and Bilbao
• Explore Malasaña and Callao
• End at Gran Vía
• Take Historic Madrid Route
• Visit Cibeles and Gran Vía
• See Plaza de España and Moncloa
• Ride Teleférico cable car
• Visit Tempo de Debod and Puerta de San Vicente
• See Cuesta de La Vega and Puerta de Toledo
• Explore Plaza Mayor and Barrio de Las Letras
• Walk Paseo del Prado
• Take Modern Madrid Route
• Visit Museo Ciencias Naturales and Santiago Bernabeu
• See Nuevos Ministerios and Museo Sorolla
• Stop at Serrano and Puerta Alcalá
• End at Canalejas

The Experience

The bus pulls up at Stop 1 and you're already moving. The Contemporary Madrid route leaves at 10:10am, the Historic one at 10am, the Modern Madrid route at 10:05am — so you pick whichever direction calls to you first. Your ticket works on all three, which means you're not locked into one loop. You can ride the Historic Madrid route down through Plaza Mayor and the Barrio de Las Letras, get off at Paseo del Prado when something catches your eye, then catch a different bus heading toward Santiago Bernabéu or Gran Vía whenever you're ready. The app tracks the buses live, so you're not standing at a stop wondering if one's coming.

Each route runs every 25 to 80 minutes depending on which one you're on, and the longest single loop is 90 minutes — the Historic Madrid route that swings past the Temple of Debod and Puerta de Toledo. The Contemporary Madrid route takes 65 minutes and hits Malasaña and Callao, neighborhoods where the energy shifts the moment you step off. Modern Madrid covers Santiago Bernabéu, the Museo Sorolla, and Serrano in the same time. You're not sitting through a guide's script; the audio commentary is there if you want it, in multiple languages, but the real point is that you control the pace. Stop at Plaza de España for twenty minutes or two hours. Hop off at Plaza de Toros, walk around, catch the next bus.

The ticket lasts 24 or 48 hours depending on which you buy, and it's valid for three months from your travel date, so if you book it now and plans shift, you've got time. Vouchers work on paper or mobile, and you redeem them at any stop along the routes. The buses run every day except Christmas and New Year's, and the whole system is built so you don't have to figure out metro transfers or street navigation — you just ride, look, and decide where to get off next.

What’s included

• Access to all three Madrid hop-on hop-off routes (Contemporary, Historic, and Modern).
• 24 or 48-hour ticket validity.
• live bus tracking via the AI-powered City Sightseeing app.
• informative audio commentary in multiple languages.
• hop-off access near Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía, Temple of Debod, Plaza de Toros, and other key landmarks.
• three-month ticket validity from your selected travel date.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by City Sightseeing Ltd - Europe

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see Madrid's main sights without planning metro routes or walking between neighborhoods — the three routes cover everything from historic plazas to modern districts, and the live tracking app means you're never waiting blind at a stop.

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Top questions

Can I use the ticket on all three routes in one day?

Yes. Your ticket gives you access to all three routes — Contemporary, Historic, and Modern Madrid — and you can switch between them as many times as you want within your 24 or 48-hour window.

How often do the buses come?

The Historic Madrid route runs every 25 minutes. The Contemporary and Modern routes run every 80 minutes. The app shows live tracking so you can see exactly when the next bus is arriving at your stop.

What's the longest single route?

The Historic Madrid route takes 90 minutes to complete. The Contemporary and Modern routes each take 65 minutes.

Can I use the ticket across multiple days?

Yes. The ticket is valid for three months from your selected travel date, so you can use it on different days if you prefer to spread out your sightseeing.

Is the audio commentary included?

Yes. Informative audio commentary is available in multiple languages and covers the history and culture of the city as you ride.

What if I need to reschedule my visit?

Your voucher is valid for three months from the date you select at checkout, giving you flexibility to use it on a different day within that window.

Are the buses accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, the buses are wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller.

Do I need to print the voucher or can I use it on my phone?

Both mobile and printed vouchers are accepted. You can redeem either one at any stop along the routes.