---
title: "City Sightseeing Madrid: Hop-On Hop-Off Price and App"
date: 2026-08-09
canonical: https://madridhoponhopoff.com/tours/city-sightseeing-madrid-hop-on-hop-off/
---
# City Sightseeing Madrid Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

- Ticket price: From 30 EUR per person (Prices checked 2026-08-09, prices may vary)
- Duration: 24 or 48 hours
- Best for: Live bus tracking app included
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
- Check availability: https://www.getyourguide.com/en-us/madrid-l46/city-sightseeing-madrid-hop-on-hop-off-bus-tour-t1283387/?partner_id=D7H7I6M&utm_medium=travel_agent&cmp=madridhoponhopoff_com_agent_markdown (GetYourGuide · This site contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.)

- ★ AI-powered app with live bus tracking at every stop
- ★ Three routes covering historic, modern and contemporary Madrid
- ★ Flexible 3-month ticket option alongside the 24 or 48-hour pass
- ★ Audio guide commentary in 10 languages plus headphones
- ★ Full access to all three city lines on one ticket

## Our take
City Sightseeing Madrid's live-tracking app is a genuinely useful feature if you dislike guessing when the next bus arrives, and the 3-month flexible ticket window is unusual for a hop-on hop-off pass. The three routes cover the same landmarks as the other operators, so choose this one mainly for the app and the extended validity rather than expecting a different sightseeing experience.

The **City Sightseeing Madrid hop-on hop-off** bus tour runs three routes through the city's historic, modern and contemporary districts from EUR 30, with an AI-powered app that tracks buses live so you are never guessing how long the wait will be. A flexible 3-month ticket window is a rare extra among Madrid's hop-on hop-off operators.

## What Makes City Sightseeing Madrid Different?

The live bus-tracking app is the clearest differentiator: it shows real-time arrival estimates at each stop, so you can time your walk back to the bus stop instead of waiting around. City Sightseeing also sells a 3-month flexible ticket alongside the standard 24 or 48-hour pass, useful for longer stays or return visits within the window.

## What Can You Expect on the City Sightseeing Madrid Route?

The Historic Madrid route covers Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, the Temple of Debod, Gran Via and Plaza de Espana, plus the Prado Museum along the Paseo del Prado. The Modern Madrid route takes in Puerta de Alcala, the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and the Museo Sorolla before reaching the upscale Salamanca shopping district. The Contemporary Madrid route runs through Malasana and Bilbao's street art and vintage shops, past Las Ventas bullring, and finishes at Callao Square on Gran Via. All three routes include audio commentary in 10 languages plus headphones.

## Who Should Book City Sightseeing Madrid?

Travelers who like planning around real-time information get the most from the tracking app, since it removes the uncertainty of standing at a stop with no schedule in hand. The 3-month ticket also suits business travelers or repeat visitors who will be back in Madrid within that window and want one ticket to cover multiple short trips. Visitors who only want a single day's ride with no extras may find the app a nice bonus rather than a deciding factor.

## City Sightseeing Madrid Price and What Is Included

The 24-hour ticket starts from EUR 30, discounted from EUR 33 at the time of writing, and covers full access to all three city lines, the audio guide and headphones, and use of the live-tracking app. Hotel pickup, food and drink, and entry to any attraction along the routes are not included. Compare it against [Big Bus Madrid](https://madridhoponhopoff.com/big-bus-madrid-hop-on-hop-off-tour/) if brand recognition matters more to you than the app.

## Getting to the First City Sightseeing Stop

Boarding points cluster around Plaza Mayor and the Paseo del Prado, both reachable on foot from Sol and Atocha metro stations. Download the City Sightseeing app before your first ride so you can check live arrival times from your hotel rather than walking to the stop and waiting blind.

## Insider Tips for Riding City Sightseeing Madrid

Use the app's live tracking to plan a coffee stop near your next boarding point instead of standing at the curb. The Contemporary Madrid route through Malasana runs less frequently than the Historic route, so check the app before committing to that loop late in the day. Keep your ticket QR code saved offline in case of a weak signal near Las Ventas.

## How Does City Sightseeing Compare to Other Madrid Hop-On Hop-Off Buses?

The three routes closely mirror what [Madrid City Tour](https://madridhoponhopoff.com/madrid-city-tour-hop-on-hop-off-bus/) and Big Bus both offer, so the live-tracking app and the 3-month ticket window are the real reasons to pick City Sightseeing specifically. None of the three bus operators include Royal Palace entry, so plan a separate stop with a [Royal Palace fast-access ticket](https://madridhoponhopoff.com/royal-palace-madrid-fast-access-tickets/) if you want to go inside. See the full operator comparison on the [Madrid hop-on hop-off homepage guide](https://madridhoponhopoff.com/), and check current transport updates on the official [esmadrid.com](https://www.esmadrid.com/en) site.

## What's included
- ✓ 24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour across three lines
- ✓ Audio guide commentary in 10 languages plus headphones
- ✓ Access to the live-tracking City Sightseeing app
- ✗ Tips and gratuities
- ✗ Hotel pickup and drop-off
- ✗ Entry tickets to attractions

## Route and itinerary
1. **Board at Plaza Mayor**: Start the Historic Madrid route near Plaza Mayor, checking the City Sightseeing app for the next live arrival time. Ride toward the Royal Palace and the Temple of Debod for sunset-ready photo stops.
2. **Hop off at the Prado Museum**: Get off along the Paseo del Prado to walk to the Prado Museum, one of the Historic route's key stops. Even without going inside, the surrounding Art Triangle neighborhood is worth a slow walk.
3. **Ride the Modern Madrid route to Salamanca**: Switch to the Modern Madrid route and ride past Puerta de Alcala and the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium toward the Salamanca shopping district. Check the app for the next bus back before you wander too far from the stop.
4. **Explore Malasana on the Contemporary route**: Take the Contemporary Madrid route into Malasana and Bilbao for street art, vintage shops and cafes. This route runs less frequently, so plan your return trip with the live-tracking app.
5. **Pass Las Ventas bullring**: Stay on the Contemporary route to see Las Ventas, Madrid's largest bullring, from the open top deck. The Mudejar-style brickwork is a good photo stop even without a ticket to a bullfight.
6. **Finish at Callao and Gran Via**: End the day at Callao Square on Gran Via, a shared stop for the Historic and Contemporary routes. Use the app one last time to confirm your final bus back toward your hotel.

## FAQs
### What does the City Sightseeing Madrid app do?
It shows live, real-time tracking of buses on all three routes, so you can time your arrival at a stop instead of waiting without any schedule information.

### How much does City Sightseeing Madrid cost?
Tickets start from EUR 30 for 24 hours, discounted from EUR 33 at the time of writing, with 48-hour and 3-month flexible options also available.

### What is the 3-month flexible ticket for?
It lets you use the hop-on hop-off pass across multiple visits within a 3-month window, useful for business travelers or anyone returning to Madrid more than once in that period.

### How many routes does City Sightseeing Madrid have?
Three: Historic Madrid, Modern Madrid and Contemporary Madrid, each with a different mix of landmarks and neighborhoods.

### Does City Sightseeing include Royal Palace entry?
No, the ticket covers the bus ride, audio guide and app access only. A separate Royal Palace ticket is needed to go inside.

### Is City Sightseeing Madrid different from Big Bus?
Yes, they are separate operators. The core hop-on hop-off experience is similar, but City Sightseeing's live-tracking app and 3-month ticket are its main differentiators.