THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Step beyond Madrid’s usual art sights with an exclusive visit to a hidden Goya church and a private restoration studio. Learn how masterpieces are preserved and hear untold stories from passionate experts.
Step beyond Madrid’s usual art sights with an exclusive visit to a hidden Goya church and a private restoration studio. Learn how masterpieces are preserved and hear untold stories from passionate experts.
Book with A Friend in the City
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by A Friend in the City · Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid
Madrid offers more than just bustling plazas and world-class museums—it harbors quiet corners where history whispers through centuries-old walls. Among them stands a remarkable church adorned with the hidden masterpieces of Francisco de Goya, waiting to be discovered in a way few travelers experience. "Experiencia del Restaurador de Arte," offered by A Friend in the City, invites art enthusiasts and curious minds on a distinct journey blending culture with craft.
This three-hour immersion begins inside a stunning church where a knowledgeable guide reveals Goya’s lesser-known works tucked away from the typical tourist path. The setting itself is impressive, allowing visitors to appreciate the deep richness of Spain’s artistic heritage firsthand. But the adventure doesn’t stop there. Participants then step over the threshold into a private restoration studio—an exclusive opportunity to witness the intricate work involved in preserving priceless art.
Led by passionate restorers, this hands-on look behind the scenes exposes the delicate balance between history and modern technique. Visitors learn how colors are retouched, canvas fibers restored, and centuries of wear painstakingly reversed. It’s a rare chance to see art not just as observers but as participants in its long life.
What sets this experience apart is A Friend in the City’s commitment to authentic connection. Their guides and restorers are not only experts but approachable companions eager to share stories and answer questions. Accessible to a wide range of visitors—including wheelchair users—this tour fits uniquely into Madrid’s cultural and outdoor landscape by bridging indoor artistry with a palpable sense of place.
For anyone seeking a cultural alternative to typical city tours, this art restoration journey offers a profound window into Spain’s creative legacy, making it a standout choice amid Madrid’s diverse offerings.
easy.
3 hours.
Suitable for visitors with general mobility; standing and gentle walking indoors.
Photography is generally restricted inside the church and restoration studio to protect the artworks.
Yes, the tour is accessible for wheelchair users, though notification in advance is recommended.
Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Comfortable shoes and a light jacket are recommended, as the indoor spaces can be cool.
No, food and drinks are not included in the tour price.
You should inform A Friend in the City of your hotel details ahead of time for possible pickup arrangements.
The church involved in this experience contains some of Goya’s early religious commissions, key to understanding his stylistic evolution.
Efforts to maintain these hidden artworks emphasize low-impact visitor access and responsible restoration methods to preserve local cultural heritage.
A Friend in the City is a Madrid-based experience company offering guided cultural, culinary and active tours across Madrid, Barcelona, Toledo and nearby estates. The company organizes private and small-group experiences that range from street-art workshops and rooftop cocktail tours to blacksmith forging sessions and Michelin-starred culinary classes. Tours include a Forbidden Art & Experiencia Graffiti workshop in Barcelona, a Forja tu Leyenda blacksmith and ranch experience in Toledo, and multiple Madrid-focused options such as stadium visits, padel lessons, Retiro Park bike and running tours, rooftop cocktail routes, and VIP tapas and wine tastings in Salamanca. Additional offerings highlight rural ecosystems near El Escorial with seasonal produce and Michelin-starred meals, private art restoration visits exploring Goya, and tailored Barcelona walking routes to Gaudí and the Gothic Quarter. Guides are described in trip listings as passionate, friendly and expert-led; several experiences take place in private studios, estates or professional kitchens and feature local artisans, professional coaches and master craftspeople. Meals emphasize seasonal, local ingredients and several experiences include hands-on components such as forging an espada, painting a graffiti souvenir, or cooking Spanish classics in a Michelin-star kitchen. A Friend in the City emphasizes authenticity, local access, and privately staged experiences aimed at travelers seeking immersive, hands-on encounters. Based in Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, the company serves visitors seeking curated cultural, culinary and active days in Spain’s major cities and nearby countryside. Booking information and availability are provided on the company's online listings with clear descriptions and booking options and flexible policies.
Book with A Friend in the City