What to do in Madrid

When clients are considering things to do in Madrid I always recommend several different kinds of experiences.  One of the best ways to see experience the city is with a guide. It is best if you do the city tour on your first full day in Madrid.  Its a great way to get an overview of the city, visit some spots you would most likely not find on your own and you get to learn what you like and do ont like so you can go back to the those places that really  interested you.  Our guides are also excellent resources.  They always know what is happening in town and what the new hot spots are.  A guided visit is really the best way to ensure you do not end up feeling like you missed something important.

Our private tours in Madrid:

Best In Spain Madrid Metropolis

The Insider’s Introduction to Madrid

Leave your guidebook in your room!  On this tailor made Madrid tour we will mix some of the best highlights of Madrid with some “off the beaten path” oddities, passing through not only the some of the old traditional areas of town but the up and coming neighborhoods too. Discover Madrid based on your likes and on your time schedule. You will get an overall perspective of Madrid from an insider’s point of view, you’ll learn what parts of the city you like and which ones to return to and explore on your own. Along the way we will take time to experience some of the best wine and tapas at favorite spots many locals enjoy. Madrid TOurs

This alternative walking tour of Madrid can include but are not limited to places like Circulo de Bellas Artes , Plaza Santa Ana, Plaza Mayor, La Latina/Plaza de la Paja, Basilica de San Francisco el Grande, Palacio Real, Templo de Debod, Palacio Liria, Malasaña/Tribal, and Chueca.

Contact us and we will get back to you with more details and pricing for you

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Best In Spain Food09

Gourmet Tapas Tour

Its one of my favorite things to do no matter where I am in Spain. Whether you call them tapas in Madrid or pintxos in the north, everyone agrees there is nothing more Spanish than going out on the town to have some tapas and drinks. This tour is a great way to get an insider perspective on Madrid’s history and culture while tasting your way across town.

We are currently updating or tapas tour.  Please send us an email and we will get back to you with the latest details.

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Best In Spain Prado

Prado Essentials

This private guided tour of the Prado covers different masterworks of the most representative schools and artists of all times represented at the Prado. From the Italian Quattrocento to Goya, Madrid Original will propose you a selection of works by the Flemish primitives, Dürer, Raphael, Titian, Greco, Rubens and Velázquez.

Our selections are some of the many that could be done, but we have managed to build consistent dialogs between the different works selected. You will enjoy noticing the contrasts or similarities among them.

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GoyaOutsidePrado

Goya Beyond the Prado

The Prado owns the largest Goya collection in the world… but Goya also exists outside the Prado: in churches, small museums and palaces. We suggest a scholar-led tour of Goya outside the Prado, a kind of treasure hunt across the city.

With this tour, we will review all its tapestry related activity: from sketches to cartoons, from a visit to the Royal Tapestry Factory to the exhibition of woven tapestries in Royal Palaces, such as El Pardo.

His activity as religious painter, engraver and portraitist will lead us to the Royal Academy Museum, the Lázaro Galdiano Museum, San Antonio de la Florida, Museo Calasancio and other small institions… all showing Goyas to the public. And, booking months in advance, we will arrange the visit to the other half-hidden jewels in private and institutional collections, such as the Palace of Liria and the Bank of Spain. If you are looking more interesting things to do in Madrid this is definitely a tour for you.

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My recommendations for things to do in Madrid: definitely go on the insiders introduction to Madrid, visit at least one museum (book a guide if you can) and take an afternoon or evening to experiences tapas like the locals.

For more information please read my article on My favorite things to do in Madrid

Client Testimonials

  • I hadn’t been to Madrid since the late 1980s and I only had 72 hours to get re-acquainted with the city. A friend recommended I hire Ron Otto for a tailored tour of Madrid. Ron’s knowledge of the city – not based on tour books and guides, but on years of experience living in the city and doing events there – allowed me to see Madrid from the eyes of an insider. No long lines, quick access to great views on rooftops in the heart of the city, entrance to small churches off the beaten path, a sense of history and the vibrancy of Madrid now. Working with Ron made my trip memorable and easy and ensured I’ll be back for more!

    Kevin M. O’Connor, New York
    New York
  • Ron’s ability to organize my family’s 2-week trip to Spain was truly amazing – considering it was initially based on a few phone calls and emails. His attention to detail, day trip suggestions, accommodation resources and overall “hand holding” though the planning process and actual trip was second to none. He truly put together a “trip of a lifetime” and I’m so thankful to have worked with him

    Karen Mattson
    General Manager at Great Lakes Cylinders, LLC
  • My family and I spent two weeks in Spain and Ron planned everything. The tours, guides, dinners, accommodations and meals were all amazing. Ron does his research, has great connections and goes out if his way for his clients. Several friends have used him as well and they have nothing but wonderful things to say!

    Kevin Van Eekeren
    Founder & CEO Crave It
  • Ron was invaluable in bringing amazing ideas and connections to the table for our Travel Channel special featuring the best experiences in Spain. He had great creative suggestions, excellent relationships on the ground with vendors, and the tenacity to help us make even the impossible happen. I enjoyed working with him thoroughly and hope to have the opportunity to do it again.

    Corinna Robbins
    Co-Executive Producer at High Noon Entertainment
  • When is a train station not just any train station? When is a ceramic tile not just any ceramic tile? When is a landscape not just any landscape? These are the type of questions you ask when you travel Spain as seen through Ron Otto’s eyes – exploring ‘the best’ through the eyes of an ‘artist’. His unique perspective made my memories of Spain truly unforgettable.

    Ken Cassillo
    London, UK
  • Ron put together the best family trip we have ever had. We had sixteen people of all ages, need and wants and Ron was able to satisfy each and every one of us. From the spectacular tours to the truly uniques customer service, Ron was able to plan a wonderful vacation for my family.

    David Van Eekeren
    President at Land O'Frost
  • Ron is an absolute asset to know! His expertise and efficiency is exceptional and truly value his recent assistance with the planning and logistics of our VIP’s Madrid trip, it was a huge success.

    Ron is a diamond to work with, personable and really understood the requirements. I would have no hesitation to recommend Ron’s services to any organisation.

    Cinzia Delegate
    Executive Assistant & Sales Support, American Express
  • I’m just back from a four day break in Barcelona. Ron masterminded the whole trip, overseeing everything from the fantastic hotel (where his contacts helped us get an upgrade) to a bunch of delicious restaurants. I’ve been to Barcelona a number of times before so I know it pretty well, but Ron recommended and arranged trips to places only the real expert would even know about let alone have ready access to. And he did it all with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency. Next time I go anywhere in Spain, Ron will be the first person I call.

    Oliver Rawlins
    Group Director of Communications, Guardian Media Group
  • Ron did an outstanding job in helping to plan and execute our month long vacation for 11 people (5 adults and 6 children). He was thorough and prompt with information while always being responsive to our requests with a great attitude. Ron understood our travel needs very well and worked hard to ensure that all of the various details were addressed, either by us or those with whom we interacted. Ron was an invaluable resource for us in communicating with people and identifying local items of interest and necessity. Ron helped us find: a house to rent, a day camp, restaurants in over 15 towns, an emergency dentist and doctor, children’s activities, tickets to events, and directions. Ron was a trustworthy and reliable liason who had our best interests in the forefront. I look forward to working with Ron again in the future!

    Ileen Jacobs
  • Ron assisted my company on a large-scale TV production shoot throughout Spain and Morocco. Ron is a class act as a person and his service and skills are top caliber. He faced insane requests and time constraints and never failed to deliver quality.

    Patrick Jager
    SVP, Development and Programming at High Noon Entertainment
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