Hop, Skip, and a Double-Decker: My Madrid Bus Tour Adventure
Right, so I decided to take the plunge and hop on one of those bright red double-decker buses in Madrid. And let me tell you, it was a proper good shout! I was here in Madrid in June and the weather was absolutely glorious—blue skies for days and temperatures climbing to a toasty 30°C by midday. Perfect for exploring the city, though I quickly learned that packing a hat, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle was non-negotiable. The Spanish sun doesn’t mess about, does it?
The Routes: Getting Your Bearings
The Hop On Hop Off Madrid bus service offers two main routes: the blue Historical Madrid route and the green Modern Madrid route. I opted for the 48-hour ticket (about €25) which gave me access to both—smashing value if you ask me!
The blue route winds through Madrid’s historic center, passing by all the classic must-sees like Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, and Puerta del Sol. Meanwhile, the green route takes you through the posh Salamanca district and out to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (a bit of a pilgrimage for football fans) and the impressive business district.
The buses come every 15 minutes or so, which means you’re never left twiddling your thumbs at a stop for too long. Although, fair warning: during the weekend rush, you might need to channel some of that famous British patience!
My Madrid Top Spots
Prado Museum
My first hop-off was at the Prado Museum, and cor blimey, what a place! Even if you’re not usually a museum person (guilty as charged), this one’s worth your time. The audio guide came in handy here, giving me the lowdown on Goya’s “The Third of May 1808” and Velázquez’s “Las Meninas.” I spent a good two hours here before I realized I’d barely scratched the surface.
Royal Palace
Next up was the Royal Palace, which is absolutely massive—135,000 square meters with more than 3,000 rooms! It’s like Buckingham Palace on steroids. I couldn’t help but think our Royals would be well jel. The guided tour took me through the main state rooms, and the armory was particularly impressive. The changing of the guard ceremony was a right proper spectacle too!
Plaza Mayor
This grand square is the beating heart of old Madrid. I hopped off here around lunchtime and found myself a spot at one of the outdoor cafés. Yes, it’s touristy and a bit pricey, but sometimes you’ve just got to treat yourself, haven’t you? People-watching here is top-notch, and the architecture is stunning—all terracotta-colored buildings with slate spires.
Retiro Park
After a busy morning, I was gagging for some greenery, so I headed to Retiro Park. Massive leafy oasis, this. There’s a lovely boating lake where you can rent rowboats, and I spotted quite a few locals having picnics. I grabbed an ice cream and just wandered around for a bit. Bliss!
Puerta del Sol
This famous square is essentially Madrid’s answer to Piccadilly Circus—always buzzing! It’s home to the famous bear statue (the symbol of Madrid) and the Km 0 plaque, marking the geographical center of Spain. I hopped off here for some shopping along Gran Vía, which is essentially Madrid’s Oxford Street.
Temple of Debod
An ancient Egyptian temple. In Madrid. Random? Absolutely. Fascinating? You bet! This 2nd century BC temple was gifted to Spain by Egypt and rebuilt stone by stone. It’s set in a lovely park and is a cracking spot for sunset views over the city. Not something you’d expect to find, which made it all the more special.
San Miguel Market
A foodie’s paradise! This glass-walled market is full of stalls selling everything from jamón ibérico to fresh oysters. I went a bit mad trying all the tapas. The bus stop is just a short walk away, making it an easy addition to your itinerary.
Nom Nom: Madrid’s Food Scene
When in Spain, eat as the Madrileños do! Here are some local delicacies I sampled:
Bocadillo de Calamares
A sandwich filled with battered squid rings. Sounds odd, tastes divine. I had mine at Bar La Campana near Plaza Mayor, where they’ve been serving them up since forever. Washed down with a caña (small beer), it was the perfect lunch.
Churros con Chocolate
For breakfast one day, I queued up with the locals at Chocolatería San Ginés, which has been serving thick hot chocolate and churros since 1894. The chocolate is so thick you could stand your spoon up in it! Not exactly diet-friendly, but when in Madrid…
Cocido Madrileño
This hearty chickpea stew is Madrid’s signature dish. I tried it at Taberna La Bola, where they’ve been making it the same way since 1870. It’s served in two parts: first, the broth with noodles, then the meat, chickpeas, and veg. Proper winter warmer, though perhaps a bit heavy for June!
Vermouth on Tap
The Spanish are big on vermouth, and many bars have it on tap! I popped into La Hora del Vermut for a pre-dinner aperitif, and it was a game-changer—nothing like the dusty bottle in your gran’s drinks cabinet.
Tinto de Verano
While the tourists were all drinking sangria, I noticed the locals sipping on tinto de verano—red wine mixed with lemon soda. Refreshing, not too strong, and perfect for a hot day. Became my go-to afternoon drink!
Spanish Celebrations
Talk about lucky timing! My visit coincided with the San Antonio festival (June 13th), which is a big deal in Madrid. The Pradera de San Isidro park was transformed with food stalls, music, and dancing. Locals dressed in traditional chulapo and goyesco outfits were handing out rosquillas (Spanish donuts) and anise liqueur. The bus actually makes a special stop near here during the festival, which was rather convenient.
There was also a flamenco festival happening at the Teatro Español. I managed to snag a last-minute ticket for a show, and it was absolutely mesmerizing—all passion and stomping and hand-clapping. Not to be missed!
Value for Money: Worth Every Euro?
Was the Madrid Hop-On Hop-Off bus worth the money? In a word: Absolutely Yes. (Alright, that’s two words, but you get the drift.)
For first-time visitors to Madrid, it’s a no-brainer. The audio guide (available in 14 languages) gives you enough historical context without boring you to tears, and the ability to hop on and off at your leisure means you can explore at your own pace. Plus, Madrid is rather spread out, so having a bus service that hits all the major spots saved me a fortune in taxi fares and a whole lot of blisters!
Practical Tips from a Seasoned Hopper
- Buy Online: Save yourself a few euros and potential queuing by purchasing tickets online beforehand.
- Start Early: The buses start running at 9 am, and mornings are generally less crowded.
- Sit Up Top: Yes, it’s where all the tourists sit, but the views are worth it. Just remember your sunscreen!
- Download the App: The Madrid City Tour app shows real-time bus locations and estimated waiting times.
- Validate Each Time: Don’t forget to validate your ticket every time you hop on—the drivers are quite strict about this.
- Plan Your Bathroom Breaks: There are no toilets onboard. Plan accordingly!
Final Thoughts
As a Brit abroad, I found the Madrid Hop-On Hop-Off bus to be a smashing way to see the city. It’s efficient, informative, and takes you to all the spots you’d have on your list anyway. Sure, you could navigate the metro system or walk everywhere, but sometimes it’s nice to have someone else do the driving while you sit back with your camera at the ready. We often use these bus tours to get a glimpse of a city, so we can then pla where we really want to go and visit the next day.
Madrid is a city that rewards exploration—each barrio has its own distinct personality and charm. The bus gives you a taste of everything, allowing you to decide where you’d like to return and explore more thoroughly.
So go on, treat yourself to a ticket. It’s a bloody good way to see Madrid, innit?
