Layover Exploration • 5 hours 5
(48)

Escape the airport: see Madrid on your layover

Stretch your legs, bask in the sunshine and see a touch of intoxicating Madrid while you wait.

Plan to adjust your schedule to 3 pm lunches and 10 pm dinners as many restaurants do not open for lunch or dinner until those times

What makes this experience special

Key highlights

  • Don't waste your layover in Madrid waiting at the airport - get out and explore the city
  • With your host’s tips, you’ll make the most of the time you have in Madrid
  • Don’t worry about navigating or missing your connecting flight - we’ll take that into account
  • Squeeze in some sightseeing and visit the city's iconic attractions
  • Swap airport food for an authentic Spanish meal at an open-air market - ahh, much better
  • Let your host personalise an experience for you that fits your schedule, budget and the places you'd most like to see
  • Get a taste of Spain’s sunshine-filled streets, or, if it’s winter, warm your belly with some tasty sherry or port

What to know before you go

Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.

5 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested

What’s included

Private & personalized itinerary
5 hours with a host
Round-trip airport transfers by public transport
Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options)

What’s not included

Food and drinks
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs other than airport transfers
Gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

Your hotel/apartment or any other central location

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

How your day could unfold

A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you most

What you’ll do

So your layover is in Madrid, is it? As lovely as we’re sure the airport building is, there’s no reason why you can’t bust out of your terminal and hit the tarmac of Madrid’s streets instead for a spot of sightseeing.

Whether you’ve got a few hours or are spending the night, with one of our Madrid hosts by your side, absolutely no time will go to waste in making your layover the ultimate stayover!

They’ll navigate and ensure you’re back in time for your connecting flight, so the only question becomes, why not? Take to the cobbled stone plazas and get exploring. Is there a neighborhood you’ve always wanted to see?

Would you like to stretch your legs in elegant Retiro Park or maybe go for some sherry tasting? It’s noon somewhere in the world, right? Alternatively, indulge in some of Spain’s most delicious food at the San Miguel Market, making sure you order a Cortado for that much-needed caffeine kick during your travels.

At least when you go, it will be with a full heart, fuller belly, and knowing you’ve had a kiss of that Spanish sun on your skin. Who knows? Perhaps you’ll be returning for a full vacation next time!

1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?

Real Stories, Real Connections

See our hosts and guests creating memories

17,500+ 5-Star Reviews and Counting

Trusted and recommended by travelers worldwide, including 99% on Google and TripAdvisor.

recommended by 99% of travelers on google
recommended by 99% of travelers on tripadvisor
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What travelers think of our Spain experiences

Deborah May 2025

Cloti is an excellent tour guide. She made my husband and I feel very welcomed to Seville. We had a wonderful walking tour full of interesting and unexpected bits of history and culture. We love the personal touch and being able to have a conversation instead of listening to a rote script. It was very special to be introduced to Seville this way - we highly recommend!

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Natashia May 2025

Cloti was very knowledgeable about the history of Seville as well as the history of important cities that were related to our tour such as Cadiz, Granada, Cordoba to name a few She was very professional and patient giving us time to enjoy the places of interest and taking pictures, She was very helpful, she pointed out restaurants, extra places to visit and distance from Seville On top of that, It stated raining during our excursion and she went out of her way and bought us some umbrellas I definitely would recommend this wonderful lady as a tourist guide

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Cristian Aug 2024

Excelente Me encontré con Lisa en Barajas y tomamos el Metro a la ciudad Lisa muy atenta, con un saludo genuino Fuimos a desayunar y después le dimos al recorrido de casi 5 horas a pie por el centro de Madrid Buen ritmo y me dio datos que ningún guía anteriormente Me había dado 100% recomendable Excellent I met Lisa in Barajas and we took the Metro to the city Lisa very attentive, with a genuine greeting We went to have breakfast and then we started the almost 5-hour walking tour through the center of Madrid Good pace and gave me information that no guide had previously given me 100% recommended

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Cindy Oct 2019

My mother and I toured with Silvia on our first day in Madrid. She is very friendly, full of energy and provided us with her inside view of 3 neighborhoods (Salamanca, Malasaña and Centro). She took us off the touristy streets and it made the tour more personable. She also took us to one of her favorite lunch spots...La Pescaderia. It was delicious and very reasonable. If you’re looking for an overview of the city, I highly suggest requesting Silvia!

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Francisco Jul 2019

Minha experiência começou alguns dias antes da data marcada para o tour, sendo que Nicola, que foi responsável por me guiar no tour, me enviou emails me explicando em detalhes como iriamos nos encontrar, e uma sugestão de intinerário. Na hora marcada, começamos o passeio por Madri. Tive a oportunidade de conhecer vários detalhes históricos dos principais edifícios e ruas da cidade. Além disso, Nicola me levou a dois mercados para que eu pudesse experimentar um pouco da culinária local... o sanduiche ramón é imperdível, como também as croquetas!!! Para finalizar, uma passada por alguns dos museus da cidade, com destaque para o Museu do Prado. Bem, foi um dia agradabilíssimo, com o encontro de mais um amigo. se recomendo, claro, com certeza!

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Amy Jul 2018

Joanna asked me what my favorite experiences were and then created a fabulous personalized walking adventure in Madrid. We spent eight hours seeing gardens, markets, shopping, eating, and taking pictures in all the historical districts. We walked a lot, but the conversation and historical information shared made the day be totally pleasurable. We toured multiple art museums together and her expertise in Art History was obvious. She prides herself in her guests having a great experience. Wonderful day with a wonderful person.

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