Is a tapas tour in Madrid worth it?

Yes, and if you choose a tapas tour that takes place outside the city center, it’s even better (in my opinion). A good tapas tour gets you into bars you would never find on your own and explains what you are eating. Tours in the tourist center tend to be more crowded and less representative of how Madrileños actually eat.

How much does a tapas tour in Madrid cost?

You should expect to pay around €70 to €90 per person for a small-group tour that includes roughly ten tapas and four drinks. The tapas tour I did in Chamberí was €69.

Is a tapas tour enough for dinner?

Usually not. Tapas is a light evening meal in Spain. The main meal of the day in Spain is typically lunch. So, if you have not eaten a substantial lunch, plan for something small afterwards.

What time do tapas tours in Madrid start?

Most tapas tours in Madrid start between 6 pm and 8 pm. The earlier slots around 6 pm are much quieter, because Madrileños normally head out for tapas from 8:30 pm onwards.

Where is Calle Ponzano and why should you go there?

Calle Ponzano is in the Chamberí neighborhood, north of central Madrid, close to the Alonso Cano (Line 7) and Ríos Rosas (Line 1) metro stations. Calle Ponzano has one of the highest concentrations of tapas bars in Spain, and it is popular with locals rather than with tourists.

Do Spanish people actually drink sangría?

Not really; sangría is mostly ordered by tourists. The everyday Spanish equivalent is tinto de verano, which is red wine with lemon soda, and vermut is the classic drink before a meal.