Segway Tour for Two in Madrid: Is It Good for Couples?

What is a Segway experience for two?

It can mean either of two things:

• two places on a normal shared group tour
• a private Segway tour with a guide for just the two of you

The difference changes the route and the pace more than the price. On a shared tour you follow a fixed loop with other riders. On a private one the guide adjusts the speed, the stops and often the route to you.

In most cities the shared tour is the cheaper option by a wide margin. Madrid’s Segway prices are unusual: three of the four private tours start between $34 and $39, while most shared routes run from $32 to $54. Our page on private Madrid Segway tours lists all four private routes with their prices.

Do couples need a private tour?

No. Plenty of couples on a first visit enjoy a small shared group, and the Retiro loops keep groups manageable.

Private makes more sense if:

• you want a specific route, for example the palace and the park in one ride
• one of you is nervous and would like a slower start
• you want more photo stops
• you dislike group tours
• it is a special occasion, such as an anniversary or a proposal
• you have very little time in Madrid and want to choose the start hour

Because a private tour for two costs about the same as two shared places here, most couples lose nothing by going private. The trade-off is small: a shared group can be more sociable if you like meeting other travelers. Our comparison of private and group tours in Madrid covers walking and bus tours as well.

Is it good for a first trip?

Yes. Madrid’s major sights spread across a fairly wide central area, and a Segway tour shows you how places such as these fit together:

• the Royal Palace
• Plaza Mayor
• Plaza de España
• Gran Vía
• Cibeles
• Puerta de Alcalá
• Retiro Park

The 2-Hour Sightseeing Segway Tour of Central Madrid ($54, 4.8/5 from 226 reviews) covers the palace side of the city, from the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral to Plaza Mayor and the Templo de Debod. The Old Madrid sights route shows what you pass on foot or on wheels.

Is it good for a weekend break?

Very much so. A two-hour Segway tour gives you an overview of the center and still leaves time for the Royal Palace, the Prado, Retiro, restaurants and the late Madrid dinner. Book it on your first morning and you will know which streets you want to walk back to.

One hour or two hours?

Two hours usually suits a couple better. A one-hour tour can feel short once the training and the safety briefing are done, and the most booked one-hour route stays inside Retiro Park.

Two hours gives you enough time to:

• get comfortable on the machine
• ride a route that covers more than one neighborhood
• stop for photos
• hear the guide’s commentary
• see several landmarks

The private Retiro and historic-center tour books from one to three hours, so you can pick the length on the day you reserve. For a shared group, the Retiro Park 2-Hour Segway Tour ($41, 4.8/5 from 105 reviews) is the shared two-hour option built around the park, with groups limited to eight. Our guide to how long a Madrid city tour should be compares the one-, two- and three-hour formats.

Best route for couples

Look for a route with variety: palace, old streets and park in one ride. A strong itinerary looks like this:

Royal Palace → Old Madrid → Plaza de España → central Madrid → Retiro or Puerta de Alcalá

The private Retiro and historic-center tour comes closest to that line, linking Habsburg Madrid with Retiro Park. If you want the whole city in one go, the All Madrid Guided Segway Tour (3 Hours) ($52, 4.8/5 from 146 reviews) adds more ground, though three hours standing is a long ride for a first-timer.

Daytime or evening?

Daytime

Better for:

• first-time orientation
• seeing the architecture clearly
• combining the ride with the palace or a museum

Evening

Better for:

• cooler temperatures in July and August
• illuminated streets and fountains
• a more relaxed mood
• going straight on to dinner

For an evening ride, the Madrid by Night 1-Hour Segway Tour costs $32 and holds 5.0/5, though from only 24 reviews. The private Retiro and historic-center tour books until 20:00, which on a summer evening still gives you daylight followed by the lights coming on. Our guide to Madrid night tours covers the after-dark options, and the best time for a Madrid Segway tour explains the summer heat.

Shared or private: which is better value?

For two people in Madrid, private is the better value. The Private Segway Tour: Retiro Park & Historic Centre starts at $39, against $38 for the shared Iconic Retiro Park Segway Tour. The Madrid Río Park Private Segway Tour starts at $34, below all but two of the shared routes.

Prices change with the date, the hour and the length you pick, so check the total for two on your own date before you decide. Pick shared if you enjoy riding with other travelers or if the private slot you want is gone. For something different, the Private Off-Road Segway Tour of Casa de Campo ($69, 4.9/5 from 22 reviews) takes you onto park trails on off-road machines.

What group size is ideal?

Smaller groups work better for a couple. A small group means:

• less waiting at each stop
• easier communication with the guide
• more of the guide’s attention
• easier photo stops

A private tour takes that to its limit, with a guide for the two of you.

What should you check before booking?

1. Private or shared?
2. Group size?
3. Route?
4. Duration?
5. Is training included in the tour time?
6. Age and weight limits? In Madrid the minimum age is nine or ten depending on the operator, and the maximum weight is usually 120 kg. Our Segway rules and safety guide lists each operator’s limits.
7. Meeting point?
8. Language?
9. Weather policy?
10. Cancellation conditions?

Sample one-day couples itinerary

Morning

A two-hour Segway highlights tour, starting early to beat the heat in summer.

Late morning

Coffee or a relaxed walk back through Old Madrid.

Lunch

A long lunch in the historic center.

Afternoon

The Royal Palace, or an hour rowing on the lake in Retiro Park.

Evening

Dinner and a walk along Gran Vía.

Final thoughts

A Segway tour for two in Madrid works best as a shared sightseeing activity, with the romantic part supplied by the city around it. For most couples, a two-hour ride covering the palace, Old Madrid and Retiro gives the best balance between price, sights and time.

Because the private tour costs about the same as two shared places, couples can usually go private at little or no extra cost. Choose shared if you like company on the ride. If this is your first visit, book the tour early in your stay and check your exact date, because private slots for two fill first.