Madrid by Night Small Group Tour: Stories, Sights and Tapas Bites
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Madrid, Spain
- 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Experience Madrid like a local on this small-group evening walking tour that blends culture, history, and Spain’s unbeatable tapas scene. Follow a guide through the lively streets and hidden corners of Madrid as you eat, drink, and soak up the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Enjoy a drink and traditional tapas at your first stop, included in the tour price. Then, thanks to a unique pay-as-you-go system (plus, insider recommendations, tailored to the group, on what to eat and drink) choose what dishes to purchase at the rest of the stops. Expect to share 12 to 20 delicious dishes throughout the evening in traditional tapas style, and budget around €35–40 for a full experience. With small groups and visits to multiple bars, discover spots you’d likely miss on your own.
- Insightful commentary about Madrid's history and traditions
- Entertaining and knowledgeable local guide, who can provide assistance with language and translation when ordering food and beverages
- Small group tour with a maximum of 10 people for an intimate experience
- Visit typical bars and restaurants with the drink and tapa free in first bar
Sample Menu
Starter
You may try anything between 12 and 20 different dishes.
Tapas is for sharing and we offer some of Madrid's best, from the classic to some more adventurous dishes. Below is a list of some you might taste.
Starter
Queso Cabrales
A blue cheese from Asturias
Starter
Chorizo a la sidra
Chorizo sausage cooked in cider
Starter
Jamón iberico
We will give you a crash course in Spanish hams
Starter
Boquerones en vinagre
Anchovies cured in vinegar
Starter
Alcachofas
Artichoke hearts with roasted red peppers
Starter
Entrecot con higos
A great steak with figs
Starter
Morcilla
Black pudding, but it is very different in Spain depending on whether you have morcilla de Burgos or morcilla de León!
Starter
Torreznos
A crunchy, stick pork belly
Starter
Pulpo a la gallega
Octopus
What's Included
- Drink and Tapas in the first bar (3 tastings and 1 drink min)
- Guided visit to 4 bars/restaurants
- Personalised advice on Spanish food and beverages
- Insider tips and suggestions for the rest of your stay
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- ÓperaCentro, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Right between the 2 metro entrances of Metro Opera in Plaza Isabel II . Your tour guide will be carrying an A4-sized bright yellow Adventurous Appetites flier
End point
- NeptunoCentro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
End point is orientative only. Tour concludes at the last bar/restaurant, however a taxi back to your hotel can be organized by the guide (not included in tour price).
Itinerary
Get a taste for the lively tapas culture and raucous nightlife in Madrid, Spain's capital of commerce and cuisine, during this small-group walking tour to the city's many tapas bars, limited to just 10 guests. Over the course of your tour, you get a chance to taste a variety of delicious regional foodstuffs from across the country, learning about the city's unique culture and rituals as you go.
Begin your evening between the two metro entrances of Metro Opera in Plaza Isabel II. There, meet your guide, who helps to explain the traditions of Madrid's famous eating and drinking culture, helps translate when ordering and provides suggestions of the best local specialties.
During your tour, stop at various bars to sample a variety of food and drink. A drink and tapas are included in your first stop, after which you can choose how much or how little you'd like to purchase to consume at the subsequent stops. Along the way, you're likely to taste local specialties like chorizo in cider, Galician octopus, Asturian cider, or red wine from Bierzo, among other favorites.
When you finish your evening, make your own way back to your hotel or talk to your guide, who can help arrange a taxi (at your own expense).
Begin your evening between the two metro entrances of Metro Opera in Plaza Isabel II. There, meet your guide, who helps to explain the traditions of Madrid's famous eating and drinking culture, helps translate when ordering and provides suggestions of the best local specialties.
During your tour, stop at various bars to sample a variety of food and drink. A drink and tapas are included in your first stop, after which you can choose how much or how little you'd like to purchase to consume at the subsequent stops. Along the way, you're likely to taste local specialties like chorizo in cider, Galician octopus, Asturian cider, or red wine from Bierzo, among other favorites.
When you finish your evening, make your own way back to your hotel or talk to your guide, who can help arrange a taxi (at your own expense).
Opera (Pass By)
Opera (Pass By)
Plaza Mayor (Pass By)
Puerta del Sol (Pass By)
1
Huertas
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Huertas
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Huertas
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 5 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for under 17 years
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
- Near public transportation
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Please note that some tapas will be shared with other travellers
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have an average maximum of 10 travelers
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Jeanne_C
The tour was fabulous! James took great care and was a fabulous host. We highly recommend this tour.
Reviews
4.9
based on 1,961 reviews
Erica_H, Apr 2026
If you want to taste the best tapas in Madrid in authentic bars without looking like a tourist, this is the tour for you! James was recommended to me by another guide who was not available on our trip. We tried some amazing food, (which I couldn't stop thinking about later) and we learned a lot about the city itself while walking. The bars all had a very cool, old classic vibe. He gave us different choices of food based on our preferences, but honestly they all sounded and tasted amazing. Our teenage kids really enjoyed this tour as well. I loved the. concept of ordering and paying for what we want to eat without having a preset menu. 100 percent recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thanks for your review and so glad you enjoyed it. We tailor what we do to the likes/dislikes of the group on the night and whilst we do encourage you to expand your culinary boundaries a little and try to get you tasting some dishes you might not otherwise taste, by not having the preset menus offered by other tours we can personalise what we do. We mix in a bit of light history and culture as we go as well as some insider advice for the rest of your stay. Do join us again one day as there is lots more to discover!
Rohini_R, Apr 2026
We had an amazing time with James! We got to try tons of different tapas and drinks. Every selection was curated by James who really took the time to understand our palette. Each bar had its unique character and the staff/service was always impeccable. He kept us laughing the entire time and really knows the city of Madrid!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for taking the time to write us a review and delighted you enjoyed it. We try to tailor what we do and what we order to each group and get you to taste some of the city's best tapas, in some of our favourite local bars that you might not otherwise find. Please join us again if you're ever back this way as we have lots more to show you!
Donna_T, Mar 2026
Good night out really enjoyed it convivial,informal and a positive experience on cold Madrid night at the end of November
Response from Host, Mar 2026
So glad you enjoyed it and thank you for your review. We aim to give you a fun night out full of food, drink, history, culture, stories and local advice... Do join us again if you are back in town as we have lots more to show you!
David_W, Nov 2025
This was our first night in Madrid and it didn’t disappoint! Wonderful food, conversation and just the perfect amount of history all mixed in together! This was a fully customized culinary experience and I highly recommend it!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thanks for taking the time to write us a review and delighted you enjoyed it. We always suggest people join us at the beginning of their visit so they can get all the hot tips for the rest of their stay. Our pay-as-you-go system where the food and drink in the first bar (min 1 drink and 3 tastings) is included in the tour price and thereafter clients pay for what they consume allows us to really personalize what we order according to the likes/dislikes of each group. Hope to see you back this way one day!
Trina_W, Nov 2025
I spent five nights in Spain. This was the most memorable and enjoyable experience I had while in Madrid. Great food, great group members, and the BEST tour guide. Thank you James for a wonderful experience.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
So glad you enjoyed it and thank you for your review. It is always fun to take people off and show them why we love Madrid, mixing in a bit of light history and culture with some seriously good food and drink in some of our favourite local bars. If you are ever back in town, do get in touch as we have lots more to show you!
Jeanne_C, Nov 2025
The tour was fabulous! James took great care and was a fabulous host. We highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thanks for your review and delighted you enjoyed it. We aim to give you an insider's perspective on Madrid and get you trying loads of great food and drink in some local bars you might not otherwise visit. Hope it gave you some useful information for use during the rest of your Spain trip!
Amy_L, Oct 2025
James was a great, fun guide for a night eating tapas. He was warm and accommodating and made for an all around great experience.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your review and delighted you enjoyed it . We try to give a full and filling introduction to Madrid from a local's perspective, mixing in a bit of light history and culture, some insider advice and lots of food and drink! Do join us again one day as we have lots more to show you!
X_C, Sep 2025
James is an amazing food tour guide, who has planned out the recommended dishes, taking into consideration every individual's preferences and dietary restrictions. Couldn't have asked for a better way to experience authentic Madrid cuisine!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Delighted you enjoyed it and thank you for your review we try to give you a good introduction to Madrid and its culinary scene mixing in a bit of history and culture with personalised food suggestions so you can experience the best dishes in each bar.
Dianne_W, Aug 2025
This was a great way to learn about how the locals eat and spend their time. Charlie was a fabulous host and checked with us before ordering a selection to try. Meeting point was easy to find.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thanks for taking the time to write us a review and so glad you enjoyed it. Our pay-as-you-go system where the food and drink in the first bar (min 3 tastings and 1 drink) is included in the tour price and thereafter clients pay for what they consume allows us to get away from preordered dishes which are often the norm and to adapt what we order according to the tastes of the group on the night. We try to give you a very local night out of tapassing with some history and culture thrown in for good measure! Hope to see you back this way one day...
Jon_Z, Jun 2025
Charley was our outstanding host. He took care to discuss everything surrounding tapas culture and why we were visiting the bars he selected. He also mentioned many points of interest during the walks between the tapas bars.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
So glad you enjoyed it and Charlie will be delighted! We aim to mix a bit of light history and culture along with some seriously good food and drink and a bit of local advice on a fun and social night out. Thank you for writing us a review and if you are ever back in town do join us again as we have lots more to show you!
Peter_O, Jun 2025
This is a great tapas and walking tour. Great out of the way locations, great food and wine. Very entertaining and lots of fun. Thoroughly recommended.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for your review and delighted you enjoyed it. We try to give you a good intro to Madrid and its culinary, learning a bit about the history and culture whilst eating and drinking really well....
Paul_M, Jun 2025
James provides a fantastic experience! A great dining/drinking/storytelling time! Our second time with James.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Good to see you again and to show you a bit more of Madrid and thank you for your review. We aim to mix a bit of light history and culture, lots of great food and drink in local bars and some insider advice, all together in a fun and social night out exploring Madrid.
Stephan_H, May 2025
We had a wonderful
Time experiencing tapas and refreshments at places we would never have explored. Our guide was wonderful and very entertaining.
Response from Host, May 2025
So glad you enjoyed it and thank you for your review. We try to give you a real introduction to Madrid and its culinary scene, giving you a bit of light history and culture, some local advice and lots of great food and drink in bars you might not otherwise visit. We hope to see you back this way one day as we have lots more to show you!
GailR, Apr 2025
We enjoyed our tapas tour with Charlie but were a bit disappointed in the quality of food at the second and third stops. The first stop, Taberna Los Angeles, was delicious and high quality. We walked for a VERY time between the first and second places which, after an already long day of walking, was a bit more than we expected but overall the tour was a good introduction to the tapas lifestyle. The review was a bit misleading in that we didn’t really order what we individually wanted after the first stop. The guide suggested and ordered the same thing for everyone at the table which was shared equally by all. It was fine but not quite as flexible as we expected.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Many thanks for your review, it is always very useful to get your feedback so we can adapt and improve what we do. Our tour is an all-in-one introduction to Madrid and its culinary scene, combining a walking tour, sightseeing, history and culture, and food and drink. We try to show you 4 very different but very Spanish bars and get you trying a huge variety of different and delicious tapas, from the classics to the more adventurous. Just to clarify, our pay-as-you-go system, where the food and drink in the first bar is included in the tour price (minimum 1 drink and 3 tastings), allows us to adapt things according to the tastes of the group on the night. Whilst we are very happy to run individual bills, as tapas is all food to share, we generally recommend people pool their money together, as, by ordering as a group, you get to try many more different flavours without getting too full. We will talk you through the different options and give suggestions according to the likes/dislikes of the group, though we will push you gently to expand your gastronomic boundaries! Our groups usually try anything between 12 and 20 different dishes on the night.
Zachry_P, Apr 2025
James is an incredible guide and host through the streets of Madrid. We found all those special and local spots you dream of when booking a trip, fantastic food and company
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for taking the time to write us a review and delighted you enjoyed your night of tapas. We try to provide a fun night out exploring some of the backstreets of Madrid, learning a bit about the local history and culture while you feast on great traditional food and drink. Do come back again one day as we have much more to show you!
Jennifer_H, Feb 2025
I had such a great experience on this tapas tour! Our guide James was so friendly and knowledgeable. I learned so much about the culture and history of Madrid as we went along the food tour. I also got to try so many new dishes that I wouldn’t have known to order otherwise. Definitely recommend this experience!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Delighted you enjoyed it and thank you for your review. We try to mix a bit of light history and culture with some great food and drink and to get you to the heart to Madrid's culinary. Do come back one day as we have lots more to show you!
Stephen_P, Jan 2025
Most of the food tours I attempted to reserve declined my reservation for 1 person. This tour was the only one that accepted.. I was surprised that only 3 people were in attendance but very pleased that the tour guide was excited to show our small group around. I had a wonderful time stopping at the various restaurants and trying food and venues that I would have never tried on my own. By the end of the tour I was too full to really enjoy the churros and chocolate that we hunted down as a group after the tour ended. Great food, we had lots of laughs and conversation which was a fantastic intro to Madrid for a solo traveler.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Many thanks for your review and so glad you enjoyed it. We always try to accommodate solo travellers and combine them in a group so they can explore some of Madrid, its history, culture and above all culinary scene, in the company of like-minded travellers. Tapas are designed to be shared after all!!!!
Lisa_M, Jan 2025
It was such a great experience and worth it. Inexpensive, great group of people. The host was very knowledgeable and very nice I would definitely do it again.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
So glad you enjoyed it and thank you for your review. We aim to offer a fun and social night out full of great Spanish food and drink, a bit of light history and culture and some advice for the rest of your stay. Do come back one day as we have lots more to show you!
ANTHONY_C, Dec 2024
Enjoyed informative tour w James. Food and drink tapas options seems good as well. Drink options all available
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Delighted you enjoyed it and thank you for the review. On our tours we try to give you a great selection of delicious Spanish food and drink and mix in a bit of light history and culture at the same time!!
Bob_K, Nov 2024
This was one of our best experiences in Madrid. The night walking tour introduced us to places we would have never gone on our own. Each stop we tried different wines and more tapas. We also learned how to find great restaurant locations off the main road. We would definatley do this tour again when we get back to Madrid. So much fun!
Response from Host, Nov 2024
So glad you enjoyed it and thank you for taking the time to write us a review. We aim to take you to some of our favourite local bars that you might not otherwise visit and get you tasting things you might not otherwise try whilst giving you a bit of history and culture and the confidence to get out exploring Madrid's culinary scene on your own. Hope to see you back this way one day soon, we have lots more to show you!
Addie_S, Nov 2024
We are a young couple who wanted to experience nightlife in Madrid & James helped us do just that! We were able to get out of our comfort zone with confidence having James suggest some tapas we would not have gotten otherwise! It was a fun experience & we learned some Madrid food history & culture!
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Delighted you enjoyed it and thank you for your review. We take you to some of our favourite bars to try some food and drink you might not otherwise taste and give you a bit of light history and culture about the city along with some suggestions for the rest of your stay. Hope to see you back this way one day soon as we have lots more to show you!
Jane_S, Oct 2024
An informative mix of Madrid facts, anecdotes and delightful eating places. Fabulous group of people delicious food. Thank you.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
So glad you enjoyed it and thank you for your review. It is always a pleasure to take a like-minded bunch of travellers off to discover a bit of history and culture and sample some of Madrid's best flavours. Enjoy the Camino and do join us again one day!
Melissa_P, Oct 2024
Walking tour was so fun . James our guide took us to some unique spots that we will visit again on our own .
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Delighted you enjoyed it and thank you for your review. We try to toake you to some of our favourite bars to show you how the Madrileños do the tapas thing so you can get out and explore the city's culinary scene on your own on other nights!
Charles_N, Oct 2024
The Walking Tour was fantastic. James went out of his way to ensure the group had a great time. Tasted many dishes that we would not have tried. A very fun experience.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
So glad you enjoyed it and thanks for writing us a review. It is always fun to take people off to eat, drink and make merry and show them a bit of Madrid! As part of a group you get to try a great variety of different tapas and we do try to expand your culinary boundaries a little, as well as giving you some of the traditional dishes!
Iain_S, Oct 2024
Great way to spend an evening and get to see a bit of the city. James was fun and informative on Madrid and Spain
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for your review and delighted you enjoyed the tour. We try to get you straight to the heart of Madrid through its food and drink and throw in a bit of light history and culture for good measure as we tread the back streets. Do come back one day as we have lots nore to show you!
Jack_L, Oct 2024
My wife and I have done many European tours over the past couple of years (maybe 20 tours). James, our tour guide for this excursion, was by far the best. He was kind, he was funny, and he was charming. Most importantly, he was intelligent and passionate about the great places to eat in Madrid. It truly was a “gem” of a night for my wife and I. We highly recommend it.
If you sign up for this tour, make certain you request James Fraser as your guide. He makes this tour extra special.
Thanks for a wonderful evening James. We hope to share a meal with you again!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Delighted you enjoyed it and thank you for your review. It was a pleasure to meet you and show you a bit of Madrid and its culinary scene. We aim to show you how the Madrileños do the tapas thing and really get you to the heart of the city and its history and culture. Do come back one day as we have lots more to show you!
Romel_D, Sep 2024
It was very good! Highly recommended. James knows the city very well and he also has a great sense of humour.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
So gald you enjoyed it and thank you for your review. We aim to offer a fun and social night out full of food and drink and a few local insights on the city. Do come back one day as we have lots more to show you!
Tim_S, Sep 2024
The tour of the city while moving from one bar to another was informative. James added a little humor along the way and had good information about the city and recommendations of where to eat and enjoy yhe city. The bars we went to were very good and the selection of tapas were very tasty as were the cider and wines we enjoyed.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you for your review and delighted you enjoyed it. We aim to give you a bit of an overview of the city, its history and culture, whilst helping you discover some of its best tapas in some of our favourite local bars. Do come back one day as we have lots more to show you!
jlynch622, Sep 2024
WE had Great food, we had great drinks and we had great fun
We learned very interesting facts about M
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Delighted you enjoyed it and thank you for taking the time to write us a review. We try to give you a local's perspective on the city with some history and culture and above all great food and drinks thrown in, all on a fun and social night out exploring Madrid!
Stephen_B, Jul 2024
meeting new people, new food and new experiences.
The tour guide was very informative and friendly was able to answer all questions
Response from Host, Jul 2024
So glad you enjoyed it and thank you for your review. We aim to offer a fun and social night out exploring a bit of Madrid and it's culinary scene in the company of like-minded travellers. We try to show you how the locals do the tapas thing and give you some insider tips for the rest of your stay.
From $70.05
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Madrid by Night Small Group Tour: Stories, Sights and Tapas Bites
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