Layover Exploration • 5 hours 5.0 (6)

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
Pick-up and drop off at Barajas airport by taxi
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 this experience

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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Julia, Jan 2025

Lisa was fantastic-very flexible and accommodating; she adjusted the itinerary on the fly and customized the experience according to our interests. All in all, a wonderful day in Madrid!

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Ann, Dec 2024

Spending this time with Lisa as our guide through the neighborhoods of Madrid was fantastic! We loved the opportunity to customize where we went and what we saw all throughout the day! We learned about the history and culture of Madrid, as well as stopped at some local spots to see shops and cafes that had an interesting history. Exploring with Lisa was like spending time with a friend. She was informative and funny, checking if we were enjoying our time, and giving us a perspective to what it is like to live in Madrid. We also loved hearing her stories about her journey to Madrid from Venezuela and the US, and we are so impressed with her entrepreneurial spirit of starting her own company. Fantastic day! Highly recommend! Thank you Lisa for highlighting the wonderful city of Madrid for our family!

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Kim, Dec 2024

Let me tell you about the incredible time I had with my tour guide, Lisa, in Madrid! From the very moment we met, it was like reconnecting with an old friend who was very knowledgeable about this amazing city. Lisa was a lot of fun and brought the energy I was looking for in a guide. I wanted a flexible agenda for our 6 hours together since I was only in Madrid for part of a day. The tour was a masterclass in personalization. It wasn’t about a script or a schedule—it was about me. What I wanted to see, feel, and experience. And somehow, Lisa just knew exactly how to craft the perfect day. We had an amazing connection and by the end, I wasn’t just saying goodbye to a guide—I was saying goodbye to a new friend. If you’re thinking about exploring Madrid, Lisa is the guide you need.

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Danny, Dec 2024

Lisa took us on a historic old town tour. We enjoyed our 2 hour walking tour and found the history provided by Lisa created a great picture of old town Madrid through the centuries. Thank you Lisa!

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Alina, Nov 2024

It was a nice experience, on our fist day to Madrid. Really enjoyed our private tour. Lisa was great, highly recommended her tours!

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