Madrid tapas, taverns & history tour:
Eat, drink and discover old Madrid
Destination
Madrid, Spain
Duration
3.5 hours
Tour size
Max 12
Language
English
Overview
Madrid has more than 20,000 bars. The hardest part isn't finding one. It's knowing where to walk in, what to order, and how to do it properly.
- •Start the night in a century-old tavern with a glass of vermouth on draft, paired with cod fritters that have been on this bar's menu for over a hundred years
- •Pour cider the Asturian way, and taste the Spanish tortilla that locals have been arguing is the best in Madrid
- •Walk the historic center past the Royal Palace, through Plaza Mayor where the Inquisition held public trials, and into Puerta del Sol, the geographic center of Spain
- •Sit down for the night's final act: garlic shrimp sizzling in olive oil served in a clay dish, still spitting when it reaches the table, at the bar that claims to have invented them
What's included
- Expert local English-speaking guide
- 9 tastings across 4 stops (a full dinner's worth of food)
- 4 drinks, paired to each stop
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What to expect
The first tavern: vermouth, cod fritters, and the unwritten rules of tapas
Head straight into a centennial tavern, elbow to elbow with Madrileños who've been coming here for years. The drink to order is vermouth—not the dry ingredient in a martini, but a wine-based aperitif, amber-colored, served on draft. Your guide pairs it with a cod fritter, a dish served at only a handful of places in the city, and Manchego cheese. By the end of the first stop, you understand the first rule of Madrid: you don't drink without eating.
The cider bar: a tradition from the north
The second stop has roots in Asturias, the northern region that gave Spain its cider culture. The cider is dry, flat, and poured from above the head in a thin stream to aerate it as it falls. Your guide demonstrates, and then hands it to you to give it a try. The Spanish tortilla arrives alongside the tapa of the day, whatever the bar has on hand, because in Madrid the tapa is the free food that comes with your drink.
"Don't make a dinner reservation. Come on this tour instead. You'll know where to go for the rest of your trip."
Cait,
WalksDevour Madrid tour designer
Let us know if you’re vegetarian, pregnant, have allergies, or don’t drink alcohol. We’ll adapt your tastings to suit your needs. Sadly, we can’t provide vegan or gluten-free options.
Postcards from Madrid
Madrid tapas, taverns & history tour
Madrid tapas, taverns & history tour
Madrid tapas, taverns & history tour
Madrid tapas, taverns & history tour
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Frequently asked questions
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