Madrid
Madrid is an energetic, outgoing city filled with charming lanes, miles of parks, historic plazas and plenty of restaurant patios buzzing with Madrileños socializing and sharing a few laughs. Home of the talented writer, Cervantes, the melodramatic filmmaker, Almodóvar, and, of course, Real Madrid´s football club, this city has something for everyone.
Wherever you stay, you can easily walk to a major museum with astounding art collections, such as the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofia. The secret, however, that will make you smile long after you’ve left this charming city, are the little things you discover along the way as you stroll through the different neighbourhoods. Every neighborhood has its own unique personality –the bohemian Malasaña, the tapas-lined Latina, the multicultural Lavapiés, the upscale Salamanca, the trendy Calle Ponzano and one of our favorites – the charming Barrio de Las Letras.
Follow the centennial plaques around the old city that point to century-old businesses from restaurants and bars to boutiques for hand fans, umbrellas and handmade hats. All this while taking in the beautiful architecture ranging from medieval mansions and royal palaces to modern contemporary buildings and creatively curated parks. Madrid is all about spontaneity. Even the best-laid plans tend to get forgotten after a couple of days as you slip into the rhythm of the city. To really feel part of the scene, do it like the Madrileños and step out on “La Marcha“, hopping from one tapas bar to another all evening long, drinking, eating and making friends along the way.
No city on earth is more alive than Madrid. A city that never sleeps. A city that really knows how to live.
“Food, culture and history is essential to my travel – and the Wanderbeak walking food tour achieved all of these!”.
Madrid Food Culture
Madrid, despite being landlocked, is known for its pristine seafood. Feast on delicacies like razor clams with olive oil and parsley, Galician octopus, sizzling garlic shrimp and old-school traditional Castilian dishes like the cocido madrileño, a warming stew of braised meats and chickpeas, as well as the famous fried calamari sandwich with alioli. You can’t come to Madrid without indulging in and sharing an array of tapas, which we enjoy together on our tapas tour. Expect a welcome tapa in most bars when you order your first drink and often they keep coming as you order more drinks.
Madrid has evolved into one of the richest culinary capitals of Europe. The city has been excitingly embracing all of the creativity and innovation of Spain’s gastronomic revolution. Chefs like David Muñoz, the creative force behind Madrid’s three Michelin star restaurant, DiverXO, have been leading the way in this inventive and fun experience of fine creative dining. Described to diners as Craziness on Canvas, the restaurant’s cuisine is designed to provide unexplored ways of understanding gastronomy.
Another delicacy that locals and visitors enjoy in Madrid is jamon iberico de bellota, the melt-in-your-mouth marbled ham coming from the acorn-eating back-hoofed Iberian pigs. It´s a whole world of its own, with full careers dedicated to this gem. Depending on how the leg is carved, you can enjoy different flavors and textures that really make the taste buds sing – a real science and a fascinating art.
From local tapas and traditional dishes to seafood delights and creative gastronomy, Madrid´s food scene will keep your palate beyond satisfied. And, of course, there is a wide selection of local drinks to pair with – from craft beers and claras (Spanish shandy) to crisp white Verdejo wines and full-bodied silky smooth red wines from Rioja and Ribera, aged in aromatic French barrels. The cocktail scene is quite happening too with bars like Salmon Guru ranking in the World’s Best 50 Bars list, as well as many rooftop bars that overlook the magical city of Madrid.
“Wow – this was fun…We’ve been on “foodie” tours everywhere and this was the best food of everywhere!”
Madrid Food Tours
Tapas Diaries
A 3-hour premium tapas & wine experience where we wander through two of Madrid´s most charming neighborhoods, eating and drinking our way through the afternoon.
3 Hours | 2 People only €380; Extra pax @ €60
Mad for Ham
An experience for Spanish ham lovers, where we discover the magic behind this melt-in-your-mouth goodness paired with the perfect Spanish wine.
1.5 Hours | Price Upon Request
Tapas Diaries Tour
A Premium Food & Wine Tour in the old city of MadridOur Madrid Tapas Diaries experience is a premium 3-hour tapas tour in our favorite neighborhoods in the city: Barrio de las Letras & Chueca.
You’ll get to enjoy the best Madrid has to offer, from the family-run bars to the trendy spots frequented by locals. In the home of the writers and poets, we start our afternoon in a traditional restaurant indulging in an array of delicious locally-loved tapas. We will visit a family-run bar that’s been around for over a century, famous for their specialty dish. Next, we will enjoy elevated dishes prepared with seasonal and local ingredients in a trendy restaurant in the heart of this neighbourhood. Our experience finishes with drinks on a rooftop, where we take in the beautiful views of the city.
Throughout your experience, we share insightful stories about the origin of the dishes and drinks, as you savour the city’s culture and traditions. You’ll learn about this historic and vibrant area of town, where Cervantes and Lorca lived, and wander the charming alleyways that are packed with tales and history.
It’s a fantastic way to see Madrid while eating & drinking your way through the city!
Experience Summary
All Inclusive: €99* per person
Our price includes all food and drinks (wine, non-alcoholic) along the walk and Spanish 21% IVA tax.
6 days a week
Our tours operate at 7.00pm* Monday to Saturday.
*Private tours can be arranged outside these days & times.
* Tours available from 01/03/2020
Sample over 10 dishes from all corners of Spain
We visit 4 spots where you indulge in over 10 dishes. We cater for most dietary restrictions.
Small groups
We limit our tours to 8 people so its more like a group of friends than a tour
Historic Madrid
We explore the historic neighborhoods of Barrio de las Letras & Chueca, as we stop to eat and drink where the locals go
3 hour tour
Actual walking time is around 20 minutes
Meeting Point
Our meeting point is in front of Teatro Calderón, Calle de Atocha, 18, 28012 Madrid, Spain
Mad for Ham Workshop
A jamon experience for ham loversAn experience made specifically for the jamon lovers of the world. In this ham workshop, you’ll learn all about the beautiful black-hoofed Iberian pigs, how they live and feed on acorns and how the legs are cured. You´ll also see how to carve the jamon leg, it´s a real skill and a dedicated profession, and can even take a stab at it if you want.
From the same leg of jamon, the cortador (ham slicer) will carve slices from different parts of the leg to show how varied the flavors can be. You´ll get to enjoy an array of flavors from the fat-marbled ham that just melts in your mouth to the intense nutty-flavored cuts. All this is enjoyed in a beautiful trendy restaurant, full of character. Paired with the ham is cava and vino fino – it´s what we call a perfect pairing!
Whether it’s a pre-dinner treat or an afternoon delight, this 1.5 hour experience will definitely make your taste buds sing.
Experience Summary
All Inclusive: Price upon request
Our price includes the Ham workshop & tasting, wine and Spanish 21% IVA tax.
7 days a week
Our tours can every day of the week with a recommended start of 18.30.
Get to know the famous Jamon
Learn all about these beautiful black-hoofed Iberian pigs, how they live and feed on acorns and how the legs are cured and equally importantly, how they are carved.
Flexible Group Sizes
We suggest a maximum of 15 people per workshop, but can run larger groups if requested
1,5 hour experience
Perfect for a pre-dinner treat or an afternoon delight
Meeting Point
Our meeting point is in front of the statue of Federico Garcia Lorca on Plaza de Sta. Ana. Address: Plaza de Sta. Ana, 28012 Madrid, Spain