Learn to do tapas like a local as you make your way through Madrid’s city center. In between 4 iconic tapas bars, you’ll hear the story of how Madrid went from a small village to the capital of one of the world’s greatest empires. Your expert guide will bring the city’s fascinating history to life as you wind in and out of grand plazas and mystery-filled streets.  

Start your night off surrounded by locals as you sip vermouth and nibble on tapas in a historic tavern with connections to the Spanish Civil War. Discover here what going for tapas really means in Spain. Next up is a walk down to Madrid’s Royal Palace, where you’ll get a mini-lesson on how the city was founded. As you wander through the oldest parts of Madrid—the Habsburg neighborhood—you’ll discover some more of its hidden squares and secrets.  

The next tapas bar is known for one thing—fantastic grilled mushrooms. While here, learn what most locals drink (hint: it’s not sangria) as you enjoy its famous mushrooms and Padrón peppers. At the third tapas bar, taste gambas al ajillo, a dish this family-run bar claims to have invented. You’ll also be able to order a glass of wine made from the same family’s vineyard in the Toro region.

Before heading to your last tapas stop of the evening, you’ll walk through another of Madrid’s iconic squares where your guide will bring to life stories from Madrid’s fairly recent past. Finally, squeeze into one of Madrid’s last remaining traditional tapas institutions: a no-frills place where locals pack in for favorite dishes (including the Madrid specialty, pig ear).