Madrid: Tapas, Traditions & History Tour

Madrid: Tapas, Traditions & History Tour

Experience Madrid’s culture and history through its food on this unique tapas tour. Walk through the Old Historic and Literary Quarters as your expert guide reveals the city’s hidden gems, from historic taverns to famous landmarks. Along the way, you’ll sample a variety of traditional Spanish tapas in authentic, family-owned establishments that have been serving locals for generations. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of both the city’s history and its irresistible culinary culture.

Discover the Real Madrid Tapas Culture on a Historic Culinary Journey

Step into the vibrant world of Madrid’s history and culinary tradition on this immersive tapas and history tour. As you stroll through the city’s iconic Royal and Literary Quarters, you’ll experience the authentic art of “tapeo” – the true way to enjoy tapas like a local. Accompanied by an expert guide, you’ll delve into Madrid’s rich past, learning fascinating stories about its transformation from a humble village to the capital of Spain.

Led by a team of expert guides who live and breathe Madrid year-round, this tour takes you through two of the city’s most iconic areas: the Royal Quarter, with over 1,100 years of history, and the Literary Quarter (Barrio de las Letras). Along the way, you’ll visit four of the most emblematic and historic taverns in Madrid. These establishments are not just renowned for their food but for their heritage, with many being run by the same family for three or four generations, and often over 100 years old. In some cases, both traditions combine within the same venue. As you taste your way through Spain’s gastronomic heritage, exploring flavors from north to south, you’ll learn how “ir de tapas” is not just about eating and drinking—it’s about culture, tradition, and a way of life.

Throughout the tour, you’ll enjoy a variety of authentic tapas, from the finest Iberian ham to the legendary Gambas al Ajillo, paired with local vermouth, wines, and Tinto de Verano. You’ll gain valuable insights into how to distinguish the best from the rest when it comes to Madrid’s culinary offerings, and how to navigate the city like a local.

By the end of the tour, you’ll not only have tasted some of Madrid’s most beloved dishes but also have learned how this once modest settlement grew into one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals. You’ll leave with a deep understanding of the city’s rich history, the authentic way to enjoy tapas, and the joy of sharing this experience with fellow travelers who share your passion for food and culture.

*Please note, standing at the bar is an essential part of the Tapear tradition, so seating is only guaranteed at the final stop.

 

**Tastings and Tour stops are likely to change to reflect seasonal produce, and our partners availability.

What’s Included

Explore Madrid’s historic Royal and Literary Quarters with an engaging guide who will introduce you to the city’s history and vibrant tapas culture.

  • Visit four historic tapas bars, each with over a century of tradition, and enjoy iconic Spanish dishes like Iberian ham, grilled mushrooms, and the famous Gambas al Ajillo.
  • Enjoy a guided history walk through Madrid’s oldest neighborhoods, stopping at landmarks such as the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor.
  • Indulge in 8+ tapas and 4 drinks, including local vermouth, wine, and Tinto de Verano.
  • 10% off your next Booking

The meeting point will be the statue of Isabel II in Plaza de Isabel II, in front of the Opera Palace.

See the exact location on Google Maps here

We want everyone to enjoy the rich flavors of our local gastronomy, and we’re happy to offer delicious substitutions for vegetarians, those with dairy or gluten intolerance, pregnant guests, and non-drinkers. Please make sure to note any dietary needs in the Special Requirements/Notes section when booking.

However, due to the risk of gluten cross-contamination, we do not recommend our tours for those with celiac disease. Additionally, because of the nature of the venues we visit, there are limited vegan options, and this tour is unfortunately not suitable for vegans

 

We are locals and love to eat! That’s why we would only take you to places that totally convince us and where we go with our friends and families. No tourist traps

Not all Tours are created equal. Our tours are not standardized, but a real reflection of the delicacies every season has to offer and the creativity of our chefs. We took much time and effort in designing the tours so you can enjoy delicious treats, discover hidden places and submerge in our (food) culture in local hideaways.

Feel welcome and like a local. We have great friendships and exclusive partnerships with restaurants, taverns, and market vendors.

Expert foodie guides. They truly are real professionals and experts on local cuisine!

Much more than wonderful food in interesting places. There’s more to it- it’s about the attitude, about getting a bit closer to our authentic culture and real people!

Lowest Price Guarantee

Daily 11:30am | 17:30 | 6pm |
Duration: 3-3’5 h.

79€ 63,20€
Adult from 18.

59€ 47,20€
Adolescent 13-17 years

49€ 39,20€
Child under 12 years

Lowest Price Guarantee

Experience Madrid’s culture and history through its food on this unique tapas tour. Walk through the Old Historic and Literary Quarters as your expert guide reveals the city’s hidden gems, from historic taverns to famous landmarks. Along the way, you’ll sample a variety of traditional Spanish tapas in authentic, family-owned establishments that have been serving locals for generations. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of both the city’s history and its irresistible culinary culture.

Discover the Real Madrid Tapas Culture on a Historic Culinary Journey

Step into the vibrant world of Madrid’s history and culinary tradition on this immersive tapas and history tour. As you stroll through the city’s iconic Royal and Literary Quarters, you’ll experience the authentic art of “tapeo” – the true way to enjoy tapas like a local. Accompanied by an expert guide, you’ll delve into Madrid’s rich past, learning fascinating stories about its transformation from a humble village to the capital of Spain.

Led by a team of expert guides who live and breathe Madrid year-round, this tour takes you through two of the city’s most iconic areas: the Royal Quarter, with over 1,100 years of history, and the Literary Quarter (Barrio de las Letras). Along the way, you’ll visit four of the most emblematic and historic taverns in Madrid. These establishments are not just renowned for their food but for their heritage, with many being run by the same family for three or four generations, and often over 100 years old. In some cases, both traditions combine within the same venue. As you taste your way through Spain’s gastronomic heritage, exploring flavors from north to south, you’ll learn how “ir de tapas” is not just about eating and drinking—it’s about culture, tradition, and a way of life.

Throughout the tour, you’ll enjoy a variety of authentic tapas, from the finest Iberian ham to the legendary Gambas al Ajillo, paired with local vermouth, wines, and Tinto de Verano. You’ll gain valuable insights into how to distinguish the best from the rest when it comes to Madrid’s culinary offerings, and how to navigate the city like a local.

By the end of the tour, you’ll not only have tasted some of Madrid’s most beloved dishes but also have learned how this once modest settlement grew into one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals. You’ll leave with a deep understanding of the city’s rich history, the authentic way to enjoy tapas, and the joy of sharing this experience with fellow travelers who share your passion for food and culture.

*Please note, standing at the bar is an essential part of the Tapear tradition, so seating is only guaranteed at the final stop.

 

**Tastings and Tour stops are likely to change to reflect seasonal produce, and our partners availability.

What’s Included

Explore Madrid’s historic Royal and Literary Quarters with an engaging guide who will introduce you to the city’s history and vibrant tapas culture.

  • Visit four historic tapas bars, each with over a century of tradition, and enjoy iconic Spanish dishes like Iberian ham, grilled mushrooms, and the famous Gambas al Ajillo.
  • Enjoy a guided history walk through Madrid’s oldest neighborhoods, stopping at landmarks such as the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor.
  • Indulge in 8+ tapas and 4 drinks, including local vermouth, wine, and Tinto de Verano.
  • 10% off your next Booking

The meeting point will be the statue of Isabel II in Plaza de Isabel II, in front of the Opera Palace.

See the exact location on Google Maps here

We want everyone to enjoy the rich flavors of our local gastronomy, and we’re happy to offer delicious substitutions for vegetarians, those with dairy or gluten intolerance, pregnant guests, and non-drinkers. Please make sure to note any dietary needs in the Special Requirements/Notes section when booking.

However, due to the risk of gluten cross-contamination, we do not recommend our tours for those with celiac disease. Additionally, because of the nature of the venues we visit, there are limited vegan options, and this tour is unfortunately not suitable for vegans

 

We are locals and love to eat! That’s why we would only take you to places that totally convince us and where we go with our friends and families. No tourist traps

Not all Tours are created equal. Our tours are not standardized, but a real reflection of the delicacies every season has to offer and the creativity of our chefs. We took much time and effort in designing the tours so you can enjoy delicious treats, discover hidden places and submerge in our (food) culture in local hideaways.

Feel welcome and like a local. We have great friendships and exclusive partnerships with restaurants, taverns, and market vendors.

Expert foodie guides. They truly are real professionals and experts on local cuisine!

Much more than wonderful food in interesting places. There’s more to it- it’s about the attitude, about getting a bit closer to our authentic culture and real people!

Daily 11:30am | 17:30 | 6pm
Duration: 3-3’5 h.

79€
Adult from 18.

59€
Adolescent 13-17 years

49€
Child under 12 years

What People say about our Tour

“Amazing night mixed with history and authentic Spanish food. Daniel was a fantastic guide! I recommend this tour for the people who wants to get to the core of Spanish culture”

December 6, 2024

Malin U, TripAdvisor

Frequently Asked Questions

Public Tours

Free cancellations or date changes (subject to availability) are allowed up to 24 hours before it starts.

No refund will be provided for cancellations made within 24 hours of a tour, or in case of no-show.

Private Activities

Free cancellations or date changes (subject to availability) are allowed up to 10 days before it starts.

50% cancellation fee if the cancellation is made less than 48h before the start.

If you’ve paid a deposit for your activity, the deposit amount is non-refundable.

No refund will be provided for cancellations made within 24 hours of a tour, or in case of no-show.

Please notify us of your cancellation or date change via email  hello@spainfoodsherpas.com

Refund Processing Time

We submit refunds as soon as we receive a cancellation. Depending on the bank’s processing time, it can take anywhere from 3-10 business days to show up on your bank account.

Our booking system Bookeo is secure and safe for credit card use. All transactions are processed through a PCI Compliant processor, Stripe which is certified to PCI Service Provider Level 1. You can refer to Stripe’s security protocols here

Yes! Our daily tours can be booked as private for groups of up to 12 people.

If you are 12 or less, just tick the checkbox “book entire activity” at the time of booking and that’s all!

For larger groups, please contact us

Our Taste of Malaga Tapas Tour serves enough food to be equivalent to a hearty lunch.
Although anytime is a good time to do a food tour, if it fits your schedule, it’s best to book the tour early on your trip because you’ll come out with lots of recommendations for other places to try and things to do.

Also, after your tour in Malaga, you’ll receive our Dining Guide that comes with a handy map where we have put all our favourite places to eat and drink.

There are no discounts for non-drinkers as in Spain, and specially in southern Spain non-acoholic drinks normally cost the same as beer or wine.
Of course you can! One of the great things about our tours is the opportunity to meet other travellers from all over the world.

Our tours require 2 people to take place. If there is no one else booked, you can sign up for the tour without paying and will receive a confirmation pending email. When the minimum number is met, your booking will be automatically accepted and you’ll be asked for the online payment.

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