Madrid Street Art Bike Tour: A Candid Review

Madrid, is that a city that’s almost known for its majestic palaces and timeless art museums? It might be, but there’s actually something bubbling beneath the surface, too it’s something you might not immediately see in the postcards: a cool street art scene. I mean, who would expect it? Street art adds, sort of, a modern and unexpected layer to the old vibe of the town. Exploring it on two wheels? Now, that sounds just like an adventure. This review is all about that – the Madrid Street Art Bike Tour. I’ll share my experience, what I loved, what maybe could be better, and basically if it’s something you might like, or perhaps something you wouldn’t. If you’re wondering whether this tour is right for you, stick around, you’ll discover your answer. Let’s roll with it!

First Impressions: Meeting Up and Gearing Up

So, the tour started bright and early, it was at 10 AM near Plaza de Isabel II, if you’re wondering. Finding the meeting point was a snap, very much so. The guides, were really friendly and welcoming from the jump, actually, and that immediately made me feel good about things. After introductions, the first stop was, well, getting fitted for a bike, wouldn’t you know it? Now, these aren’t, like, super fancy bikes, just simple and sturdy city bikes, and that are up for the job of cruising around the city streets, like your everyday ride. Safety first, actually, so helmets were mandatory. After getting a helmet and doing a quick seat adjustment, I was ready to go. All that was left, at that point, was to get on the road and explore!

The Route: Unearthing Madrid’s Hidden Art

The route, is that not the bread and butter of any tour? Anyway, the route we followed took us away from the main tourist drag and toward neighborhoods brimming with street art. Places like Lavapiés and Embajadores, actually, aren’t usually on people’s must-see lists, but that’s exactly what makes them very cool, if you ask me. Each turn, basically, revealed a new mural, stencil, or piece of graffiti, telling stories of Madrid’s culture, is that not the most interesting thing? What I found super interesting was how, well, the tour wasn’t just about pointing at things. The guides had lots of knowledge of the artists, their styles, and the meaning behind the art, of course. I recall a stop where a guide was discussing a piece protesting some law, if I remember it correctly, they did so with lots of passion and detail. I think it gave everything more depth. Too, it’s like the city walls were more like an outdoor museum. What I didn’t like a little? There were moments, naturally, where the streets were fairly crowded, so yeah, a bit of weaving through pedestrians, more or less. Anyway, that is Madrid, really.

The Guides: Knowledgeable and Engaging Storytellers

I believe a tour, can be made or broken by its guides, that it can. Lucky for us, ours were superb. They didn’t only know their street art, just a little, but the tour guides also appeared very familiar with the vibe and soul of Madrid. They provided insight and spoke a great deal, not just about the art itself, more or less, but about the history that influenced a lot of these pieces. So it gave you the reasons for the creativity. They did a great job answering our questions and handled the group of many levels. In my opinion it didn’t feel just like someone reciting a memorized script. Instead the tour felt a little more like cruising the city with super smart locals. Also, they had suggestions for other things to do in the town, which made my later afternoon something else, if you see what I mean!

Bike Quality and Comfort

Let’s get honest about the bikes, okay? Like I mentioned, the bikes weren’t super amazing, but really reliable, anyway. For three hours of cruising on streets that are sometimes cobbled or uphill, that matters! My bike, really, was in great shape, the seat was a little hard, arguably, but nothing to call a problem about. What I found important was that they regularly keep up with their equipment, it looked like that. The mechanics checked our bikes a little before starting, they checked the brakes and tire pressure, which is more or less important. Plus, the bikes came with baskets, so that made bringing my stuff and stuff back easier, in some respects, I mean.

What I Loved and What Could Improve

• What I Loved: The street art itself, I suppose, really blew me away. Plus, too it’s about learning what it means while experiencing some interesting communities. The guides, I suppose, are truly wonderful. I enjoyed being able to travel all over Madrid. This sort of a ride provided lots of chances to stop for photos.
• What Could Improve: So, some of the routes were rather crowded and a little tricky for bicycles. Perhaps smaller groups could help a little. Possibly it would be ideal to have even comfier seats on the bike too, for that you know.

Who Should Take This Tour?

This tour is almost great if:

• You’re excited to find the side of Madrid that they don’t promote much in postcards.
• You appreciate street art and need the stories of the art.
• You like to see new communities outside of all the usual visitor sites.
• You are fine with some medium work out and appreciate cycling.

If you like to do none of these items, it’s almost probably not for your needs, as a matter of fact.

Final Thoughts

If you want to go a little bit off the tourist roads, I can tell you, experiencing the Madrid Street Art Bike Tour might really well be an interesting thing for you. The opportunity to see interesting street art, it really provides insight on a few great artists from the tour guides as they take you to areas that tourists often overlook, so there are a number of things you’d find appealing. The tour is a fun, learning way, honestly to check a facet of Madrid. If you would want to cycle away and appreciate innovative town works of art, you’re doing the right thing when signing up.