Let's Tapear! A Guide to Madrid’s Tapas Spots

(21 reviews)

Madrid, Spain audio tour: Let's Tapear! A Guide to Madrid’s Tapas Spots

This is a 2.1mi walking tour

It takes an average of 150 mins to complete.

Madrid, Spain

Spain

$9.99

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About the Tour

To most visitors, Spanish cuisine and the word ‘tapas’ are synonymous. Described as “the only way to eat without noticing”, tapas is often misunderstood. On this walking tour, I’ll show you that there's more to Spanish cuisine than just tapas. I’ll also introduce you to tapear, the art of dining on tapas, in all its glory.

Starting outside the Mercado de San Miguel and ending in front of the 150-year-old establishment now known as Viva Madrid. Along the way, I’ll show you some of the central hotspots most popular with locals, from Bodegas Riclas and Casa Revuelta, both close to Plaza Mayor, to the celebrated Cava Baja in La Latina, the historically significant Casa Labra, and Madrid’s oldest taverna on Calle Huertas. I’ll also tell you about some of the signature dishes associated with these establishments, the food and drink that’s emblematic of Madrid, and some of the gastronomical traditions from around Spain. I’ll also let you in on a few tips like how to order, the types of dishes and drink options available, ways of paying, and how the Spanish typically do a tapas route with friends.

In addition to learning about the food, you’ll also be walking in the footsteps of Spanish, and Hollywood, royalty and hearing tales and legends from a cast of characters that includes two King Alfonsos, two legendary Spanish writers, the ubiquitous Ernest Hemmingway, and Pedro Almodovar to name just a few. Some of the other highlights on this tour include:

Discovering why the 13th-century King Alfonso X was known as ‘wise’
Passing by Bodegas Riclas, the family-run bar that also served as a bomb shelter
Hearing about Alfonso XIII, his role in the story of tapas and an ill-fated wedding day
Connecting the dots between Orson Welles, Hemingway, the Spanish Socialist Party and Casa Labra
Finding out how the calamari sandwich became representative of landlocked Madrid
Getting the inside scoop on cheap eats, Madrileño style, a beer and a sandwich for small change at the Museo de Jamón
Taking in Las Bravas, the home of patatas bravas and the backdrop to a tragic play
Learning what a fish finger has to do with the Hussars who fought the French
Seeing the favourite haunts of Hollywood legend Ava Gardner
Stopping in front of Bar Viva, which is popular with everyone from 1950s bullfighters to 1980s punks

On this tour, you'll be retracing the steps of the most humble, most famous and, indeed, infamous characters who have lived in Madrid throughout the years and all while tucking into some of the best tapas around. I hope you enjoy it as much as they did in their day. So, on that note, Let's Tapear! Please allow yourself at least an hour to take the tour.

Tour Producer

Melissa Dura

2 tours

Once a teacher in the UK, I moved to Madrid in 2012, where I now divide my time between teaching Business English and writing for local English news outlets - as well as translations, proof-reading and writing my personal blog.

Preview Location

Location 9

Cava Baja

Keep walking.

We're heading down one of the most famous streets for tapas in Madrid – Cava Baja.

This street takes you directly into the heart of the neighbourhood of La Latina. Cava Baja is by no means the only popular street for tapas but it's still a very vibrant plac... Read More

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Major Landmarks

Mercado de San Miguel
Taberna Bodegas Ricla
Casa Revuelta
Calle de la Cava Baja
Casa Lucio
Casa Labra
Casa Labra
Mercado de la Cebada
Church of San Pedro el Viejo
Puerta del Sol

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
Pl. de San Miguel, s/n, Centro, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Total distance

3km
Final location
C. de Manuel Fernández y González, nº 7, Centro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Distance back to start location

770.24m

Directions to Starting Point

The tour starts outside the front entrance to the Mercado de San Miguel, which can be accessed by walking down Calle Mayor in the direction going away from Puerta del Sol. Take the Calle Mayor exit from the Sol metro station and look for Calle Mayor straight ahead. Walk along Calle Mayor until you get to Cava de San Miguel, which is five roads up on your left. The opening to this street is opposite the 'Carrefour Express' supermarket. Keep walking down the left side of Cava de San Miguel. You will soon come across the wrought iron structure of the Mercado de San Miguel, which stands on the Plaza de San Miguel to your right.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

This tour is all about places to stop on the way - whether they be down-to-earth bars or more upmarket restaurants. Nevertheless, if you just fancy a quick coffee, you'll be passing a variety of cafes as well.

Best time of day

The idea with this tour is to help you work up a healthy appetite for lunch, whilst perhaps staving off a few hunger pangs as you go. Don't forget, lunch in Spain is eaten later than in most English-speaking countries and doesn't start until around 2.30pm. If you want to enjoy it to the fullest, the best time is between 11am and 1.30pm, before the lunchtime rush sets in. Be aware that some bars will be closed on Mondays, whilst the lead up to Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes are especially busy. On the other hand, this is a good time to see Madrid's tapas culture in full swing.

If things are too crowded, you might prefer to take the tour in the afternoon, at around 5pm when the bars re-open (although some are closed on Sunday evenings). In August, everywhere is quieter as many Spanish people head out of town.

Below are times for all the spots on the tour:

Mercado de San Miguel
Monday-Thursday: 10am-12am
Friday, Saturday: 10am-1am
Sunday 10am-12am

Bodegas Ricla
Monday: 1-4pm, 8pm-12am
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday-Friday: 1-4pm, 8pm-12am
Saturday: 1-4pm, 8pm-12:30am
Sunday: 1-5pm

Casa Revuelta
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Saturday:10:30am-4pm, 7-11pm
Sunday: 10:30am-4pm

El Madroño
Monday-Friday: 9:30am-1am
Saturday, Sunday: 10:30am-1:30am

Casa Lucio
Monday-Thursday: 1-4pm, 8:30pm-12am
Friday, Saturday: 1-5pm, 8:30pm-12am
Sunday: 1-4pm, 8:30pm-12am

Lamiak
Monday-Sunday: 11am-1:30am

Mercado de Cebada
Monday-Friday: 9am-2pm, 5:30-8:30pm
Saturday: 9am-6pm
Sunday: Closed

El Almendro
Monday-Sunday: 1-4pm, 7:30pm-12:30am

Casa Ciriaco
Monday: 12-4pm
Tuesday-Saturday: 12-11pm
Sunday: 12-4pm

La Ideal
Monday-Thursday: 9:15am-11pm
Friday, Saturday: 9:15am-12am
Sunday: 9:15am-11pm

La Campana
Monday-Thursday: 9:30am-11pm
Friday, Saturday: 9:30am-12am
Sunday: 9:30am-11pm

Museo de Jamon
Monday-Saturday: 7am-1am
Sunday: 10am-12:30am

Casa Labra
Monday-Sunday: 11am-3:30pm, 6-11pm

La Casa del Abuelo
Monday-Thursday: 12pm-12am
Friday, Saturday: 12pm-1am
Sunday: 12pm-12am

Fatigas del Querer
Monday-Wednesday: 11am-1:30am
Thursday: 11am-2am
Friday, Saturday: 11am-2:30am
Sunday: 11am-1:30am

Las Bravas
Monday-Thursday: 12:30-4:30pm, 7-11:45pm
Friday, Saturday: 12:30-5pm, 7pm-12:30am
Sunday: 12:30-5pm, 7:15pm-11:45am

Villa Rosa
Monday-Friday: 7pm-12:45am
Saturday, Sunday: 11am-12:45am

VI Cool
Monday-Sunday: 1-4pm, 8pm-12am

Casa Alberto
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Saturday: 1:30-4pm, 8pm-12am
Sunday: 1:30-4pm

Viva Madrid
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Thursday: 12pm-2am
Friday-Saturday: 12pm-2:30am
Sunday: 12pm-2am

Precautions

Keep an eye on your belongings, as pickpockets do operate around central Madrid. In particular, make sure you don't leave phones and other valuables out on tables, especially outside. Also, ensure bags are stored safely. Whilst sitting outside, it's best to keep bags on your lap and even strapped across your body. Inside bars and restaurants you can be more relaxed, although always be vigilant.

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