Madrid: History, Bites & Sips - Since 2018

What is the History, Bites & Sips tour?

It's an intimate Madrid walking tour that combines history, architecture, local stories, Spanish food and drinks.

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Over approximately 3.5 hours, you'll explore Madrid's historic centre on foot, starting at Plaza Mayor, wandering through the old town, stopping for food and drinks along the way, and finishing around the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral with a sit-down Spanish lunch.

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So if you're looking for a way to see Madrid, understand Madrid and taste Madrid in the same experience, this is probably your tour.

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And don't worry — there won't be a quiz at the end.

 

Why this tour?

Because Madrid is much more interesting when you know what's going on.

You could spend your morning walking around Plaza Mayor, looking at the Royal Palace and taking approximately 847 photographs of the same beautiful building.

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Or...

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You could find out why these places matter, hear the stories behind them, wander through the old streets with someone who knows the city, stop for a drink, eat some Spanish food and generally have a much better time. That's the idea,

 

History without the history-class feeling

You'll learn about Madrid's past, but this isn't a three-hour lecture delivered while everyone slowly regrets wearing new shoes, the stories are woven into the walk.

 

Food without turning the whole afternoon into a restaurant marathon

You'll stop to taste Spanish food and drinks along the way, then finish with a proper sit-down meal.

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Madrid without the giant group

The experience is limited to 10 guests, so there's room for questions, conversation and actual human interaction. 

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What you'll experience

Plaza Mayor

We start in one of Madrid's most recognisable places.

But instead of simply taking the obligatory photo and moving on, we'll look at how Plaza Mayor has changed over the centuries and why it became such an important part of Madrid.

First stop: history.

Soon followed by...

probably food.

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A taste of Madrid

Food isn't something we squeeze into the tour because we have to.

It's part of how Madrid works.

We'll stop along the way for Spanish food and drinks, giving you a chance to taste some local favourites while taking a break from walking.

Because learning about Madrid on an empty stomach seems unnecessarily cruel.

 

Sobrino de Botín

When available, we'll visit Sobrino de Botín, traditionally recognised as the world's oldest restaurant and founded in 1725. And yes, we'll actually go inside rather than simply pointing at it from across the street. Availability can vary, so this stop cannot always be guaranteed.

 

Mercado de San Miguel

We'll also explore Mercado de San Miguel, one of Madrid's best-known food markets, This is where history meets appetite. We'll have the opportunity to taste some Spanish bites and enjoy a drink while taking in the atmosphere of the market.

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Plaza de la Villa

Next, we'll arrive at Plaza de la Villa, the oldest and one of the most atmospheric squares in Madrid.

Surrounded by some of the city's best-preserved historic buildings, this was once the heart of Madrid's medieval government.

It's a great place to see how different Madrid looked before the city became the grand capital we know today. And yes, those narrow medieval streets are still here. Madrid just added considerably more traffic afterwards.

 

Plaza de la Cruz Verde

We'll make our way to Plaza de la Cruz Verde, a quiet little square tucked away in Madrid's historic centre. It may look peaceful today, but this corner of the city has a much darker past than its leafy surroundings might suggest.

We'll uncover some of the stories connected to the square and the old neighbourhood around it — because Madrid's history isn't always palaces and royal portraits. Sometimes it's a little more... uncomfortable.

 

Emir Mohamed I Park

We'll then head to Parque Emir Mohamed I, tucked behind Almudena Cathedral and right next to the remains of Madrid's old walls.

This is where Madrid's story goes back to its very beginning — long before kings, grand avenues and tourists trying to find the best tapas, the park takes its name from Emir Muhammad I of Córdoba.

A surprisingly small piece of Madrid with a surprisingly big story.

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Royal Palace & Almudena Cathedral

We'll finish the sightseeing portion around two of Madrid's most important landmarks: the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral. By this point, you'll have seen a very different side of Madrid from the one you get by simply ticking landmarks off a map.

And then...

we eat properly.

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Yes, there's lunch.

The experience finishes with a sit-down Spanish lunch, giving you the chance to relax, eat and chat after exploring the city. Because a food tour that leaves you hungry would be a little embarrassing.

The food and drinks are included as part of the experience.

The exact selection can vary depending on availability and circumstances — which is actually a good thing. Madrid doesn't operate according to a laminated menu designed six months in advance.

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What makes this different from a typical Madrid walking tour?

It's not just sightseeing, you'll see some of Madrid's major landmarks, but the point is to understand them.

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It's not just a food tour, food is an important part of the experience, but you're also getting history, architecture and local context.

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It's not a giant group, with a maximum of 10 guests, the experience stays personal. 

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It's not a script. I'm happy to answer questions, change the conversation when something interesting comes up and adapt the experience to the people actually standing in front of me.

 

And it isn't my first Madrid tour. I've been guiding visitors through Madrid for more than 10 years, and this experience has been running since 2018. That's a lot of walking! A frankly unreasonable amount of historical trivia and quite a lot of tapas.

 

Is this the right Madrid tour for you?

You'll probably love it if you...

• Are visiting Madrid for the first time

• Want to understand the city rather than just photograph it

• Like history when it's told by an actual human being

• Want to combine sightseeing with Spanish food and drinks

• Prefer small groups

• Enjoy asking questions

• Like a relaxed, social experience

• Want a good introduction to Madrid's historic centre

 

What you need to know

• Starting Time: 10:30 am

• Duration: Approximately 3.5 hours

• Language: English

• Group size: Maximum 10 guests

• Meeting point: Plaza Mayor

• Activity level: Light / beginner-friendly

• Food: Included

• Drinks: Included

• Age: The Airbnb listing currently allows guests from age 0. 

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Some FAQS

• What should I wear?

Comfortable shoes. This is Madrid, not a catwalk.

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• Is food included?

Yes. Food and drinks are part of the experience.

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• Is this a tapas tour?

Not exactly. It's a Madrid history and food walking tour that combines sightseeing, local stories, Spanish food and drinks.

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• How much walking is involved?

You'll be walking through Madrid's historic centre for approximately 3.5 hours, with stops for food and drinks along the way. The actual walking distance is about 2.5 Km.

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• Is this suitable for first-time visitors?

Absolutely. In fact, that's one of the people this tour is designed for. It gives you a combination of orientation, history, food and local context early in your Madrid trip.

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• What if I have dietary restrictions?

Let me know when you book. I'll do my best to accommodate dietary requirements and make sure you can enjoy the experience too.

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• Does the tour visit the Royal Palace?

The tour finishes around the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, but it is an exterior walking tour, not a guided interior visit of the palace.

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• Will we definitely visit Botín?

When available. The stop depends on circumstances and access on the day, so it cannot be guaranteed.

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• What happens if it rains?

The tour generally goes ahead in normal weather. Madrid rain isn't going to stop us from eating.

Severe or unsafe weather is a different story, and appropriate arrangements will be made if necessary.

 

 Don't just see Madrid. Get to know it.

History. Food. Drinks. Stories. Madrid.

All in one very walkable package.

Come curious. Leave well fed.