Off the Beaten Track in Madrid: Private City Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 46 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Off the Beaten Track in Madrid: Private City Tour worth booking?
Off the Beaten Track in Madrid: Private City Tour is a 2.5-hour experience in Madrid, Spain, from $21 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 46 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (46)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- $21 per person
Ready to experience a side of Madrid like a local, with a local? This is a tour, unlike any other! If you want to take a step away from the touristy path, there's no better way than by diving into the city's alternative
What you get
About this experience
Ready to experience a side of Madrid like a local, with a local? This is a tour, unlike any other! If you want to take a step away from the touristy path, there's no better way than by diving into the city's alternative side. Welcome to Chueca! If you're done with the main highlights, why not step away and take a less-traveled path that will show you an unexpected side of Madrid? Follow a local guide on a private tour full of surprises and check out Mercado San Anton, Plaza del dos de Mayo, and more that let the true form of the city shine! Withlocals Off the Beaten Track Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 46 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
46 verified traveler reviews for Off the Beaten Track in Madrid: Private City Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
With Locals
Great couple of hours with Beatriz. Walking dictionary of Spanish history. Love learning about the Islamic component of Spanish culture. She is a better teacher than we are students. Will try to finish all the homework she set - lots more little places to explore in Madrid before we head home.
via Tripadvisor
Knowledgeable and...
Knowledgeable and friendly guide, we enjoyed our time !! The guide was personable and we learned a lot !!
via Viator
Terrific city tour with wonderful guide
Elena was fantastic and really connected with our group of 6 first time Madrid visitors. She really took at lot of time to get to know us and our preferences, and to design a tour to fit our entire group. We loved the art & architecture focus and really appreciated some special "insider" surprises she provided. We're so glad to have a new best friend in Madrid. Highly recommended!!
via Tripadvisor
Local guide did not show up
I gave this tour one star-Not because the tour guide was bad- but the experience of getting on the tour was not up to what we used to on tours booked through Viator. We walked to the meeting place with our friends who had booked the same tour. Nobody from the tour company showed up until almost 10 minutes past the starting time. When the tour guide, Martel(sp?) arrived,he apologized for being late. He only had our friends’ names and not ours. He explained that we had booked private tours, so we each would have our own tour guide. However, our tour guide was not there. After I messaged through Viator, I received a phone 15 minutes after the tour was supposed to start from the tour company, Withlocals, advising me that our tour guide had an emergency and was not going to show up. They offered a refund (which we took) or rescheduling for the next day. I can’t help, but wonder if we would’ve been notified at all of the cancelled tour if we hadn’t reached out first. This is the first tour we have taken where the local tour guide did not contact us before the tour started. That should’ve been a warning sign. The tour guide that had been assigned to our friends kindly offered to allow us to go with them, which we did. While off to a very bad start, the tour accomplished what we had wanted-A glimpse into Madrid from a local’s point of view. The guide was personable and knowledgeable. While we won’t hesitate to book through Viator again-I cannot recommend the local tour company, Withlocals because of their poor communication and service.
Response from the operator: Dear guest, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We deeply apologize for the confusion and lack of communication you faced before and during the tour. We understand how frustrating it must have been to arrive and not have your tour guide present, and we sincerely regret that we didn’t notify you sooner about the cancellation. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we’re taking immediate steps to improve our communication procedures to ensure this doesn’t happen again in the future. We’re glad to hear that despite the rough start, you were able to enjoy the tour with your friends and that the guide was knowledgeable and personable. We appreciate your understanding and hope to have the chance to provide a better experience in the future. Best regards, Withlocals team
via Viator
Informative + Engaging tour, recommended.
Excellent tour from a friendly and engaging guide. Clearly Beatriz is an expert on the history of Madrid, and is well acquainted with Spanish and European history. We toured many sites and viewpoints. I had already visited One or two, and she expertly modified our route in the moment. She offered some recommendations for eating. Highly recommended.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Booked in 30 days
- 16
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Off the Beaten Track in Madrid: Private City Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Madrid.
How much does Off the Beaten Track in Madrid: Private City Tour cost?
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Prices start at $21 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Madrid usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Off the Beaten Track in Madrid: Private City Tour take?
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Plan for about 2.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Madrid is not rushed.
Is Off the Beaten Track in Madrid: Private City Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 46 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Madrid, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Off the Beaten Track in Madrid: Private City Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Off the Beaten Track in Madrid: Private City Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Off the Beaten Track in Madrid: Private City Tour?
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Around 16 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Madrid can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Madrid and add a light layer if any part of the 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Off the Beaten Track in Madrid: Private City Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Madrid within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Madrid?
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On Outty we rank every Madrid experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Madrid Essential: Historic Center, Plaza Mayor & Royal Palace, Madrid Walking Tour from Puerta del Sol to Retiro Park, Madrid Oscuro: Torture, Ghosts, Crimes and Legends. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Madrid?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Madrid?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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