Evening Tapas, Taverns & History Walk, Madrid

Name: Evening Tapas, Taverns & History Walk, Madrid
Rating: 4.8 (4 reviews)

4.8 (4 reviews)

Stroll through Madrid and stop to taste eight different tapas and four different drinks at historic taverns and bars.

Show all photos

Kassandra K.

Dec 26, 2023
Arantxa was a wonderful guide, full of anecdotes, life advice and historical stories!

See all reviews

Overview

Pair classic tapas with century-old taverns and Madrid's history as a local guide shows you how you can't tell the city's story without its food. Bring your appetite as you set out on the relaxed 1.7-mile walk through the city's oldest parts, stopping for tapas at a handful of beloved neighborhood spots. Along the way, you'll sip vermouth at a historic tavern linked to the Spanish Civil War, explore the hidden squares of the Habsburg district, and savor grilled mushrooms and garlic shrimp at a family-run tavern from 1906. Perfect for foodies and history buffs, this experience offers a flavorful journey through Madrid's past.

Highlights

Enjoy an informative guided walk through the most historic area of Madrid
Stop at iconic sites and plazas to learn about the city's history
Visit four locally-owned taverns and discover the origins of going out for tapas
Taste classic dishes like grilled mushrooms, garlic shrimp in oil, and padrón peppers
Sip authentic drinks like vermouth (no sangria here!) and local wines

Know before you go

Duration
4 hours

Recommended for
All ages

Group
Small group, 11 people or less

Food & Drink
Dinner Included

What you'll do

A historic walk combined with classic tapas is an excellent way to dive deeper into Madrid's culture and heritage. Start by meeting your guide and the rest of your small group in Piazza de las Descalzas opposite the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales. Then, start your stroll as you listen to stories of the past. In total, you'll walk about 1.7 miles (2.8 km) making plenty of stops along the way. Your first is a historic tavern connected to the Spanish Civil War. You'll sip vermouth and try a dish the bar has been serving for over a century. Learn what a tapeo (going out for tapas) means and the story behind this tradition.

Continue walking through the oldest part of Madrid, making your way to the Royal Palace. This area is known as the Habsburg neighborhood, and it's filled with hidden squares and fascinating stories that your guide will happily share. You'll learn how Madrid went from just a small town to the capital of Spain, which, at that time, was one of the world's greatest empires. Your next stop is a bar known for its grilled mushrooms. Enjoy this beloved snack paired with another popular tapas dish, padrón peppers.

Continue to a family-run tavern that first opened its doors in 1906, where you'll taste one of the city's signature plates, gambas al ajillo (shrimp in oil). Pair your shrimp with a glass of wine from the family's own vineyard, then continue your walk through Madrid. Your final stop is a hidden bar mostly popular with local Madrileños, as it's one of the city's last complete traditional tapas spots. The crowded energy is part of the experience, so your guide will help you squeeze in and join the others while snacking on more classic dishes. Then, your guide will drop you off at the Puerto del Sol in the heart of the city.

Start times

Daily

6:30 pm

What's included

A guided walk through Madrid
Visits to four family-run tapas bars
Eight tapas dishes and four drinks (enough for a full dinner)

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

Get started

See alternatives

Private Evening Tapas Stroll with a Local

(1)

Private · 4 hours

Get a taste of Madrid's thriving cuisine and nightlife with a private evening tapas stroll. Learn about Madrid's food, culture, and history from your expert guide during this four-hour experience, stopping at old taverns, modern gastrobars, and family-run restaurants to sample local specialties. Learn the differences between pintxos (Basque Country tapas), platos (second course), and tapas, as you spend your evening as a Madrileño (Madrid local).

Flamenco & Tapas Night

(4)

Small group · 5 hours

Enhance your walking tour of Madrid by pairing it with local tapas and a Flamenco show. With a professional and local guide leading the way, you'll stroll through the city's center, focusing on three historical and foodie neighborhoods: Los Austrias, the Literary Quarter, and La Latina. As you move from one iconic site to the next, you'll make three stops to taste tapas, completing what the locals call a tapear or tapeo. End the night with a Flamenco show, paired with a drink, and soak in the culture, history, and gastronomy of the experience.

Private Visit to Madrid’s Local Markets & Tasting

Private · 4 hours

Join a passionate foodie and visit a few of Madrid's famed public markets, an excellent way to experience local culture and customs. You'll learn about the city's history, social norms, traditional recipes, and interesting food facts as you walk through the aisles of vendors selling goods like seafood, seasonal fruit, fresh vegetables, cheese, meats like Iberian pork, nuts, dried fruit, and artisan bread. Along the way, enjoy sampling a few delicious items and learn how to make a tortilla de patata (Spanish omelet), one of the country's most important recipes.

Jamón Ibérico Workshop

(1)

Private · 1.5 hours

One of Spain's identifying factors is its Jamón Ibérico, considered one of the world's top delicacies. While in Madrid, you'll enjoy a workshop with a master carver, learning everything about the product, from raising the pigs to curing the meat. Of course, you'll also learn the authentic carving techniques that make the ham so famous. To end your experience, enjoy a lunch of tapas and wine with your host and take home a pack of Jamón Ibérico carved at the workshop.

Private City Highlights Walk

(5)

Private · 4 hours

Join a local guide for a fascinating look at Madrid, from its most historic sites and monuments to lesser-known neighborhoods and hidden treasures. As a private experience, you can cater the half-day walk to your specific interests; expect some essential views into Madrid's past and cultural traditions at squares like Plaza Mayor, churches like the Almudena Cathedral, and hip neighborhoods like La Latina. As you stroll, your guide will offer a mini history lesson and unexpected anecdotes that might surprise you, before wrapping things up with a taste of some traditional tapas.

Self-Guided El Centro Walk

Self guided · 4 hours

Get a feel for the local vibe of Spain's capital and appreciate discovering a city on your feet—and by interacting with the residents! This walk is ideal for art and architecture lovers and foodies who want nothing more than to eat as the locals do.

You'll take to Madrid's El Centro streets in the morning and explore the neighborhoods of Lavapiés and La Latina (Madrid's oldest), as well as touch on Austrias and Sol. You'll only cover about 4.4 miles (7 km) of ground, but with a minimum of 19 stops, two of which are food-related, this route can take 3-5 hours, so be sure to don comfortable footwear and clothing.

*Note: Upon booking, you'll receive access to the detailed map and step-by-step instructions.

Prado Museum Visit & Cultural Walk with Lunch at Botín

(5)

Small group · 4 hours

Perfect for art lovers, literary buffs, and foodies alike, this half-day experience combines a visit to the Museo Nacional del Prado with a stroll through Madrid's Literary District and a memorable lunch at the world's oldest restaurant. Begin with a 90-minute spin around "El Prado" as your expert guide highlights 15-20 of the museum's most important masterpieces. Work up an appetite with a cultural walk through some of the Spanish capital's most storied streets and squares, then follow in the footsteps of Goya and Hemingway as you're welcomed at Botín for a behind-the-scenes tour and a three-course meal.

Private Electric Tuk-Tuk Adventure

(3)

Private · 2 hours

See the best of Madrid's historic center in a short amount of time with the help of a private guide and an eco-friendly electric tuk-tuk. Starting in the Literary Quarter, you'll discover sites like the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, and Sabatini Gardens. Visit Plaza de España's Temple de Debod, and explore the vibrant La Latina district before heading to the Museo Nacional del Prado and taking a break in the green space of El Retiro. Ideal for those wanting a comprehensive overview of Madrid's cultural and historical highlights, this experience is the perfect way to get your bearings in the Spanish capital.

Paella Cooking Class with Market Visit

(1)

Small group · 4 hours

(Seafood) foodies unite! Learn to make one of Spain's most iconic dishes, paella, with the help of a local chef in a small class setting. You'll go through all the steps, starting with a visit to one of the city's best markets to shop for fresh ingredients. Back at the kitchen, you'll pair up with fellow participants and get to work, first preparing traditional Spanish dishes, like gazpacho, before you tackle the main dish. Throughout, you'll gain insight into Spanish culinary traditions and receive helpful cooking tips. The experience ends with enjoying a delicious meal of your creations and taking home a recipe booklet.

Private Toledo Day Trip

(4)

Private · 8 hours

Perfect for history and architecture enthusiasts, this private day trip introduces you to the UNESCO-listed city of Toledo with the help of a personal driver and expert guide. You'll learn about the riverside city's rich history with visits to key sites like the hilltop Alcázar de Toledo, the grand Toledo Cathedral, and the Church of Santo Tomé, known for its Mudéjar tower and El Greco masterpiece. After a guided tour, the rest of the afternoon is free for you to grab lunch and explore at your own pace, perhaps discovering the atmospheric Jewish Quarter or heading out of town to a scenic nature trail.

Traveler reviews

4 total ratings, 2 with reviews

4.8

Feature ratings

Quality of Experience
4.8

Food
4.7

Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.8

Transport
3.0

Kassandra K.

Denver, CO | Reviewed on Dec 26, 2023

Arantxa was a wonderful guide, full of anecdotes, life advice and historical stories! Read more

Nancy C.

Wilmington, NC | Reviewed on Jun 01, 2023

Lots of walking. Great opportunity to see local places and taste native foods Read more