The Best Experiences in Madrid

Get to know Madrid via a variety of cultural experiences
Get to know Madrid via a variety of cultural experiences | © benedek / iStock
Clayton Mory Schuster

Uncover the beauty of Madrid by taking part in these cultural experiences, giving you insight into the Spanish capital and all that it has to offer. From dancing to cooking, discover Madrid with Culture Trip’s list of the best experiences.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

Art and culture experiences in Madrid

Flamenco show at Café Ziryab

Discover the passion of flamenco on your visit to the capital. From the swift movements of the dancers’ gyrating bodies to the slap of the twanging guitars, this 80-minute extravaganza brings the sweeping scope of the traditional dance to life. Set in the charming Café Ziryab, the show comes with a complimentary drink and tapas is also available.

Salsa lovers’ dancing experience

Spanish culture is intertwined with salsa – one of the world’s most intimate dances. This experience is for all abilities, novices and experts, as your host leads the group from one venue to the next, highlighting the most popular dance clubs and nightlife hangouts in Madrid. While no drinks are included in the ticket price, each location has an on-site cash bar to purchase refreshments. The host will remain nearby on each dance floor to show you around the venue and to teach you a few new moves along the way.

Opera and zarzuela show and dinner

This three-hour evening at La Castafiore treats diners to a meal and a musical show in the heart of Madrid. Here, you’ll enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine, including omelettes and baby eels with clams, and a host of drink options (beer, wine, coffee, sodas) as the waitstaff belt out operatic songs and traditional zarzuela musical-comedy numbers. Prepare to be put on the spot, as the show includes a lot of audience interaction that brings dinner guests into the performance.

Extreme sports and adventure days in Madrid

Hot-air balloon, city tour and Iberian food tasting in Segovia

Old town, Segovia, Castile and Leon

Discover the ancient city of Segovia, located approximately one hour from central Madrid. Begin the day with a one-hour hot-air balloon tour of the Iberian countryside. The flight offers unrivalled views of the Roman-built aqueduct, the city’s Gothic cathedral (the first such structure in Spain) and the Alcázar Real Fortress. Commemorate your aerial journey with a champagne breakfast. Next, embark on a minibus tour around Segovia, getting up-close views of the aqueduct, cathedral and fortress. Finish off your day with a traditional Iberian feast of cochinillo segoviano (suckling pig) before heading back to Madrid.

Treasure hunt experience

Compete against friends and family in a fun treasure hunt on the streets of Madrid. The itinerary begins at the famed Puerta del Sol, where you’ll meet your guide and get to grips with the game. The first riddle is nearby and takes your group on a journey that leads to local sights, points of interest and even a couple of bars – the ticket price includes a beer or wine at each of the two bar destinations.

Caving in Madrid National Park

Including hotel pickup, this experience takes you one hour outside of Madrid to The Witch’s Cave. The tour includes a 30-metre (100-foot) descent from the walkable entrance to three floors of tunnels, chambers and various wall formations. But fear not, your guides provide safety instruction, as well as all the equipment necessary to comfortably enjoy the caving experience. Prepare to get a little dirty, since conditions inside the cave can be wet.

Cookery classes in Madrid

Two-and-a-half-hour tapas cooking class

This foodie experience allows visitors to sample and learn how to recreate 10 tapas-style dishes from traditional recipes spanning the whole of Spain. These traditional dishes include gilda (skewers of pepper and anchovy) from the Basque Country and pan tumaca (bruschetta) from Catalonia. The guided cooking session is a great chance to enjoy an authentic meal paired with bold Spanish wines.

Half-day Spanish cooking course

If two and a half hours of instruction would leave you wanting, this half-day intensive Spanish cooking course will slake your need for knowledge. This four-hour intensive class has multiple starting times for your convenience. Those who partake in the morning class will begin their gastronomical experience in Madrid by heading out to a local market to pick up the freshest and most vibrant ingredients available. The class is conveniently located in Madrid’s historic centre and is ideal for pairing with light sightseeing either before or after the session. Drinks are offered with each meal, and guests leave with a recipe booklet to continue their cooking journey at home.

Here’s what else you can do in Madrid

Five-hour pub crawl

One of the most difficult parts of visiting a new city is deciding which places to go and which places to skip. This five-hour late-night pub crawl takes away the guesswork and offers an itinerary of the best bars and clubs in the Spanish capital. Join a crowd of like-minded partygoers embarking into the night for revelry and a lifetime of memories. Your ticket includes skip-the-line access to each club, as well as drink discounts and a free shot at each bar.

Horse riding and polo

The sport of polo has wide appeal across the world and, with this experience, can be learned and possibly mastered in the middle of your Spanish holiday. This activity begins with a tour of the Los Mariachis Polo Club, just outside Madrid, after which the expert polo players assess your skill level. Lessons in tricks and tips for the game follow before you are placed on a real horse and allowed to participate in a full-on polo match.

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article