HELP & FAQ

What to know
before we meet.

The questions I get asked most — about booking, the day itself, the bike, the route, and the small print. If yours isn’t here, send me a line.

Last updated: 26 May 2026

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Before you book

Yes. The four tours run with 8 guests max, by rule. Spots fill faster than you’d expect, especially on weekends and from April through October. Once your booking is confirmed, your spot is locked — I don’t oversell.

Yes. There’s no minimum group size. Once your booking is confirmed, the tour goes — two guests, four, eight, it goes. No last-minute cancellations because someone else didn’t show up.

8 guests max on every open tour, by rule. That’s about a third of what most walking tours in the city run (most cap at 25-30). The small group is the whole point — I can answer questions, slow the pace down, and adjust the route a bit if the group wants. Private tours start at 4 guests and stay capped at 8.

Open tours run in English. Private tours, you pick — English, French, or Spanish. I grew up between Madrid, Algiers, and Casablanca, so the three feel native. More on that →

It depends on the route. The historic walking tour stays inside the old town — main plazas, side streets, the layers that don’t make the postcard. The hidden bike tour goes wider — Retiro, the river, two or three barrios beyond the center. Each tour is built around what’s worth slowing down for, not a checklist. First-time visitor or fifth, you’ll see Madrid at a pace you can actually remember.

On the day

Two starting points depending on which tour you book.

Bike tours start here:
C. de los Jardines, 12, 28013 Madrid — I’ll be outside Trixi Bike Shop with the Dinamo sign, 10-15 minutes before start.
Get directions →

Walking tours start here:
Plaza de Isabel II (Opera metro exit), 28013 Madrid — I’ll be at the metro exit with the Dinamo sign.
Get directions →

Lost? Message me on WhatsApp: +34 625 795 526

10-15 minutes before the start time. That gives us room to check you in, fit the bike if it’s a bike tour, run through the safety brief, and start without rushing.

The tours start on time — the group can’t wait long. If you know you’ll be late, message me on WhatsApp at +34 625 795 526 and I’ll do what I can. Don’t go quiet; tell me, and we’ll figure it out.

Light rain, we ride. It’s Madrid — rain rarely lasts long. Bike tours come with rain ponchos. Walking tours have plenty of arcades and barrio bars to wait it out under cover.

If the weather turns truly bad — storm, ice, anything unsafe — I reschedule or refund minus the payment processing fee (the card processor charges that up front and doesn’t refund it to me). You’ll hear from me before the tour starts. Full terms →

Not on the tour itself — we’re outdoors and moving. But the center has plenty of locker services within five minutes of both meeting points. I usually point guests to the ones near Sol or near Atocha — message me if you need a specific tip.

On the bike

If you can ride a bike on flat streets, you’re set. The hidden bike tour runs at an easy pace, mostly flat, mostly on bike lanes or quiet streets. No fitness level required, no special gear. If it’s been a while since you rode, you can warm up on the bike before we start.

City bikes, well-maintained, sized to you on the spot. Each tour includes the guide (me), the bike, the helmet (mandatory under 18, optional otherwise), a water bottle, and the safety brief. Electric bikes are available for €15 extra per person if you want less effort on the climbs.

Madrid is more bike-friendly than it was five years ago. The routes I designed avoid heavy traffic — we ride bike lanes, quiet streets, and the barrios where the traffic eases off. I lead the group, set the pace, and call out anything to watch for. Helmets are available for everyone and required under 18 by law. 8 riders max means I can keep an eye on everyone.

Yes, with two conditions. If the child can ride confidently on their own bike and keep a steady pace, the open hidden bike tour works for kids 14+. For younger or less experienced riders, I recommend the private bike tour — the pace adapts, we stop more often, and there’s more attention to each family. For very young kids who don’t ride yet, baby seats are available for €5 per tour.

On foot

Most walking tours run two to three hours, depending on the route and the group. The historic walking tour stays inside the old town — short distances between plazas, plenty of pauses to look, ask, breathe. We don’t rush.
Easy. The whole point is to walk slowly through the seams of the city, not to cover ground. Plenty of stops, plenty of shade, plenty of café options if you need to sit for a minute.

If you can walk at a relaxed pace for a couple of hours with breaks, you’re set. Seniors, families, repeat travelers — the route works for all of them. If you have specific mobility needs, message me beforehand and we’ll look at the route together.

Walking shoes that won’t blister, water, and clothing for the season. Madrid summers are hot — bring a hat and sunscreen. Winters are crisp — bring a layer. Nothing special; just don’t show up in heels.

Payment & cancellation

Through the website, in a few clicks. Pick your date, pick your tour, pay, and you’ll get a confirmation email with the meeting point and what to expect. If the date you want isn’t in the calendar, that date is fully booked — try the next one or message me.
Credit or debit card, securely online when you book. The processing is encrypted; I never see your card details. Payment goes through at the time of booking.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts — full refund minus the payment processing fee. (The card processor charges that fee when you book and doesn’t refund it to me when you cancel — usually 2-3 % of the booking total.) Less than 24 hours before the tour, and no-shows, no refund.

Private tours run from 4 guests and adapt to you. Each runs daily at a fixed time — the walking tour at 9:30 AM, the bike tour at 3 PM — unhurried, about two and a half to three hours. You set the pace and the language — English, French, or Spanish — and I shape the route around what you want to see: food and tapas, art, family-friendly, or a bit of everything. Up to 8 you can book straight from the tour page; if you’re a larger family or group of friends, write to me and I’ll arrange it. See the private bike tour → or private walking tour → for details and pricing.

Not required — the tour price covers the full service. If you want to, a tip is always welcome but never expected.
STILL CURIOUS?

If yours isn't here, send it over.

Drop me a question — booking, route, weather, languages, anything I haven’t covered above. I reply within a day, usually faster. WhatsApp for time-sensitive, email for everything else.
Reply within a day, usually faster · WhatsApp +34 625 795 526 · English · Français · Español