Madrid Private Expert

Madrid Beyond the Guidebook

Forget scripted tours. I’ve spent almost 30 years living in Madrid and over 20 years leading tours for Rick Steves. Let me show you the city through the eyes of a local who knows every secret corner. Along the way, you’ll also get practical recommendations — where to eat, what to skip, and how to navigate the city on your own after the tour.

Amanda Buttinger, Madrid guide

3-Hour Walking Tour

An intimate dive into Madrid’s historic center and the hidden gems most tourists walk right past.

Along the way, we explore the city's history, Spain's past, Madrid's architecture, literature, contemporary politics, daily life, and how everything has evolved over the years. If you have specific interests, feel free to let me know in advance, and I can tailor the tour to weave those themes into our journey through the city center.

Select Tour

4-Hour Tour with Tapas

An authentic Spanish experience—exciting, delicious, and perfect for discovering local flavors.

Add an extra hour to the walking tour and we’ll visit places that I personally enjoy and believe are worth sharing with you. We can spend the full time in one spot or move from one place to another in this enjoyable and immersive learning experience.

Select Tour

Travel Consultation

Not in Spain yet? Let’s plan your entire Iberian adventure, from routes to hidden local spots.

Learn More
Rates & Practical Info

Private walking tours are billed at a flat rate of 65€ per hour for groups of 1 to 6 travelers.

No per-person fees. No strangers added to your group. Just a private, conversational experience tailored to your interests and pace. Larger groups can be arranged upon request.

Reserve your date here

Choose a 3‑hr tour or a 4‑hr tour with tapas by clicking the clock icon. Times are in Spain local time.

Real stories from real tours

No two tours are the same — because no two travelers are the same.

Soccer fans — Victory tour for two teenagers

A family with two football-mad teens. We visited the places where Real Madrid and Atlético celebrate their victories and talked about the star players. They were completely absorbed from start to finish..

Literature lovers — The street where Cervantes lived

A student of Spanish literature suddenly realized we were in the exact neighborhood where Cervantes and Lope de Vega had lived. Her eyes went wide. Moments like that are why I guide.

The Spanish Civil War — A Local Contextual Dive

A group of three couples recently dived deep into the Civil War, moving beyond dates to the real stories of Madrid. We even added extra loops to our route to explore actual landmarks from that period.

Everything you need to know

Yes — and here's the honest reason. A free tour in Madrid typically has 20–30 people and a fixed script. A private tour with me means 3–4 hours designed entirely around your interests, your pace, and your questions. After 20+ years guiding in Madrid, I know which streets tell the best stories and which to skip. That's the difference.
Payment is made directly on the day of the tour — cash preferred. No online payment is required to book.
Absolutely. I've guided hundreds of families — from toddlers to teenagers. I adapt the pace, the stories, and the stops to make sure everyone is genuinely engaged, not just tolerating the tour. By the end, the kids are usually the ones who don't want to go back to the hotel.
My tours fill up fast, especially in spring (April–June) and fall (September–October). I recommend booking at least 2–3 weeks in advance. If you don't see the dates you need, use the waitlist option on the booking form above and I'll reach out as soon as new availability opens.
My tours are built on a solid foundation of Madrid’s historic center, but the focus is entirely up to you. A popular choice for your first day is an orientation walk starting from your accommodation; this helps you get your bearings and learn to navigate the city like a local. Whether you want to focus on markets, daily life, or specific neighborhood secrets, I adapt the route to match your curiosity.
Yes—that is my specialty. I love tailoring experiences to specific interests, such as Madrid’s Muslim past or the Habsburg era and the Spanish Empire. However, if your request requires a "deep dive" or extensive specialized research to be executed perfectly, I may suggest starting with a Travel Consultation first. This ensures I can dedicate the necessary time to curate a high-level experience that goes far beyond a standard walk.
Yes. Guiding private day trips to Toledo, Segovia, or El Escorial is a highlight of my work. Since these are immersive, full-day experiences, my availability is naturally more limited than for city walking tours. If you are considering a trip outside Madrid, I recommend reaching out as early as possible so we can secure your preferred date and start the planning process.
Yes — that's what the travel consultation is for. I help travelers from abroad plan multi-city trips to Spain: routes between cities, train tickets, Alhambra reservations, local tips, and everything that feels overwhelming to plan from abroad. Book a consultation session from the calendar above or via the link in the services section.

Only one tour per day—once booked, that date is gone. Takes 30 seconds to reserve.

Book Now
Madrid Private Expert

Madrid Beyond the Guidebook

Forget scripted tours. I've spent almost 30 years living in Madrid and over 20 years leading tours for Rick Steves. Let me show you the city through the eyes of a local who knows every secret corner. Along the way, you'll also get practical recommendations — where to eat, what to skip, and how to navigate the city on your own after the tour.

Amanda Buttinger, Madrid guide

3-Hour Walking Tour

An intimate dive into Madrid's historic center and the hidden gems most tourists walk right past.

Along the way, we explore the city's history, Spain's past, Madrid's architecture, literature, contemporary politics, daily life, and how everything has evolved over the years. If you have specific interests, feel free to let me know in advance, and I can tailor the tour to weave those themes into our journey through the city center.

Select Tour

4-Hour Tour with Tapas

An authentic Spanish experience—exciting, delicious, and perfect for discovering local flavors.

Add an extra hour to the walking tour and we'll visit places that I personally enjoy and believe are worth sharing with you. We can spend the full time in one spot or move from one place to another in this enjoyable and immersive learning experience.

Select Tour

Travel Consultation

Not in Spain yet? Let's plan your entire Iberian adventure, from routes to hidden local spots.

Learn More
Rates & Practical Info

Private walking tours are billed at a flat rate of 65€ per hour for groups of 1 to 6 travelers.

No per-person fees. No strangers added to your group. Just a private, conversational experience tailored to your interests and pace. Larger groups can be arranged upon request.

Reserve your date here

Choose a 3‑hr tour or a 4‑hr tour with tapas by clicking the clock icon. Times are in Spain local time.

Real stories from real tours

No two tours are the same — because no two travelers are the same.

Soccer fans — Victory tour for two teenagers

A family with two football-mad teens. We visited the places where Real Madrid and Atlético celebrate their victories and talked about the star players. They were completely absorbed from start to finish.

Literature lovers — The street where Cervantes lived

A student of Spanish literature suddenly realized we were in the exact neighborhood where Cervantes and Lope de Vega had lived. Her eyes went wide. Moments like that are why I guide.

The Spanish Civil War — A Local Contextual Dive

A group of three couples recently dived deep into the Civil War, moving beyond dates to the real stories of Madrid. We even added extra loops to our route to explore actual landmarks from that period.

Everything you need to know

Yes — and here's the honest reason. A free tour in Madrid typically has 20–30 people and a fixed script. A private tour with me means 3–4 hours designed entirely around your interests, your pace, and your questions. After 20+ years guiding in Madrid, I know which streets tell the best stories and which to skip. That's the difference.
Payment is made directly on the day of the tour — cash preferred. No online payment is required to book.
Absolutely. I've guided hundreds of families — from toddlers to teenagers. I adapt the pace, the stories, and the stops to make sure everyone is genuinely engaged, not just tolerating the tour. By the end, the kids are usually the ones who don't want to go back to the hotel.
My tours fill up fast, especially in spring (April–June) and fall (September–October). I recommend booking at least 2–3 weeks in advance. If you don't see the dates you need, use the waitlist option on the booking form above and I'll reach out as soon as new availability opens.
My tours are built on a solid foundation of Madrid's historic center, but the focus is entirely up to you. A popular choice for your first day is an orientation walk starting from your accommodation; this helps you get your bearings and learn to navigate the city like a local. Whether you want to focus on markets, daily life, or specific neighborhood secrets, I adapt the route to match your curiosity.
Yes—that is my specialty. I love tailoring experiences to specific interests, such as Madrid's Muslim past or the Habsburg era and the Spanish Empire. However, if your request requires a "deep dive" or extensive specialized research to be executed perfectly, I may suggest starting with a Travel Consultation first. This ensures I can dedicate the necessary time to curate a high-level experience that goes far beyond a standard walk.
Yes. Guiding private day trips to Toledo, Segovia, or El Escorial is a highlight of my work. Since these are immersive, full-day experiences, my availability is naturally more limited than for city walking tours. If you are considering a trip outside Madrid, I recommend reaching out as early as possible so we can secure your preferred date and start the planning process.
Yes — that's what the travel consultation is for. I help travelers from abroad plan multi-city trips to Spain: routes between cities, train tickets, Alhambra reservations, local tips, and everything that feels overwhelming to plan from abroad. Book a consultation session from the calendar above or via the link in the services section.

Only one tour per day—once booked, that date is gone. Takes 30 seconds to reserve.

Book Now