Small-Group Bike Or E-Bike

Overview

Three hours, one loop through central Madrid, mostly on two wheels. The ride starts at the Bravo Bike office on Calle de Juan Álvarez Mendizábal, a short walk from the Plaza de España metro on Line 3, and rolls past the Royal Palace and La Almudena Cathedral before a final stop at the Egyptian Temple of Debod for views over the city.

From there the route works through the historic core: Plaza de la Villa, Mercado de San Miguel, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and the Literary Quarter down to Plaza de Santa Ana and the Spanish Parliament at Las Cortes. The longest single stop is Retiro Park, with its boating lake, Crystal Palace and rose garden in spring, before the group exits at Puerta de Alcalá and rides back along Calle de Serrano and across Paseo de Recoletos, through Chueca and Malasaña to Plaza de España.

You choose a multigear bike or a pedal-assist e-bike, and the e-bike is the easy answer to Madrid's gentle uphill stretches. The operator is clear that this is not a tour for people who rarely cycle: riders need basic fitness, confidence in city traffic, and a minimum age of 13 with real cycling experience. Travellers who have taken it often mention the guides' depth of knowledge and the photo album emailed out afterwards.

Itinerary

1. Meet at Bravo BikeCheck in at the office on Calle de Juan Álvarez Mendizábal near Plaza de España metro (Line 3). Bikes, helmets and handlebar bags are handed out here.
2. Plaza de España10 minutes at Plaza de España, the square the tour sets out from and returns to.
3. Royal Palace and Almudena10 minutes at the palace and 10 minutes at the cathedral next door, riding past two of the city's biggest landmarks.
4. Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol10 minutes at Plaza Mayor via Mercado de San Miguel, then 5 minutes at Puerta del Sol, Madrid's central point.
5. Literary Quarter5 minutes at Plaza de Santa Ana and 10 minutes winding through the Barrio de las Letras, passing Las Cortes, the Spanish Parliament.
6. Retiro ParkThe longest stop at 30 minutes, covering the boating lake, the Crystal Palace and the Rose Garden in spring, exiting past Puerta de Alcalá.
7. Chueca and MalasañaA 5 minute stretch along Calle de Serrano and Paseo de Recoletos, then about 14 minutes each in Chueca, past Mercado de San Antón, and Malasaña.
8. Temple of Debod and finishA final 10 minute stop at the ancient Egyptian temple with city views, then return to the Bravo Bike offices.

Common Questions