Are you looking for the perfect 4 day Madrid travel itinerary? These are some of the most recommended places to visit and things to do in Madrid.
Planning a trip to Spain is super exciting! If you’re anything like me, you’re here because you love to research and plan your trip ahead of time. As someone who loves to travel and is OBSESSED with Spain, I am giving you a travel itinerary filled with the best things to do in Madrid.
You are going to learn about places to visit like Plaza Mayor, Prado Museum, the Royal Palace, Retiro Park, and so much more. After learning about these places and some helpful tips, you are going to be ready for your next Spanish travel adventure!
This post is my list of 8 Iconic Tapas Bars in Madrid.
Tapas Bars
What’s more Spanish than tapas? If you’re wanting to immerse yourself in the Spanish culture, a tapas tour is the perfect activity to do just that. I highly recommend adding a tapas tour to your Madrid travel itinerary. During the tour, your guide will take you around a few traditional Spanish bars and will help you order wine and traditional Spanish tapas. Some of the tapas include jamon y queso (ham and cheese), gambas (shrimp), tortilla (spanish omelet), as well as other more unique foods like shark and pig ear. This is a fun experience to do with friends and family, or to meet new people if you’re traveling solo.
Traditional Tapas
La Casa Del Abuelo
Getting us started is the classic bar, La Casa del Abuelo. “Grandfather’s House” is such an inviting name for a bar. As you enter, you’ll be greeted by a traditional bar as well as several cocktail tables. WIth almost 120 years of experience, this place has the BEST gambas al ajillo. The tiny shrimp are cooked in the most delicious garlic and olive oil. If there’s a tapas to try here, it’s this. Instead of wine, consider pairing the gambas al ajillo with a glass of vermouth. It is such a great combination.
Casa Gonzales
If you’re more into jamon con queso (ham and cheese), definitely visit Casa Gonzales. This bar had some of the best jamon y queso combinations I’ve ever had. delicious combinations of jamon and cheese. Specifically, they have a toast called “arzúa gallego fundido con membrillo” which is melted galician cheese and quince. It is amazing. The wine pairings really brought out the flavors of the different ham and cheese toasts.
El Lacon
For more unique yet traditional Spanish tapas, consider visiting El Lacon. Some of their most famous tapas include a pig ear stew and fried shark. The Pig ear stew was cooked with chickpeas and a tomato based broth. The fried shark was surprisingly delicious! If you’re feeling bold, this is a fun bar to visit. I also love the traditional Spanish style interior.
Los Galayos
Our last stop on our tapas tour was Los Galayos. Here we enjoyed a Cava paired with dessert. This bar has such rich history! If you are a literature fanatic, this bar is a must visit. It was a regular meeting place for the iconic group of Generation of ‘27 writers. Poets including Federico García Lorca, Rafael Alberti, Jorge Guillén, Vicente Aleixandre, Luis Cernuda, Pedro Salinas, Gerardo Diego, and Dámaso Alonso. Step into Los Galayos and feel the presence of history.
New Tapas
After you’ve checked out the most iconic tapas bars in Madrid, consider visiting some “new wave” bars and restaurants.
El Corte Inglés
El Corte Ingles is a popular department store with locations throughout Spain. The Plaza Callao location (near Puerta del Sol) is one of a few that offers the “Gourmet Experience” on the top floor. The “Gourmet Experience” is an upscale food court offering Thai, Mexican, Italian, and pintxo dishes, perfect for foodies. The outdoor seating area offers beautiful views of the city, especially at night. This is a great option if you’re wanting to try a little bit of everything or if you’re traveling with a large group because there’s something for everyone to enjoy. I especially liked the nachos from the Mexican food stall and trying some of the pintxos.
Mercado San Miguel
This is hands down one of my favorite places to eat in Madrid. The market has been around for over 100 years, a staple of Plaza Mayor. Mercado San Miguel has more than 20 stalls offering food from around Spain. Try classic Iberian ham, fresh seafood, a variety of tortillas, or Basque cheesecake. We loved this place so much we visited twice! Some of my favorite dishes include the olives and cheese, tortilla española, and the Basque cheesecake. I also enjoyed the vermouth spritz. If you can, visit Mercado San Miguel for an afternoon or evening and spend a few hours enjoying a variety of tapas and drinks.
Restaurants with Bocadillos
Although bocadillos are technically little bites and not tapas, I want to highlight a couple of famous bocadillo restaurants.
Bar la Campana
Bar la Campana is a small restaurant in Plaza Mayor, famous for their calamari sandwich (bocadillo de calamares). I found the sandwich to be a bit dry, so I would recommend asking for mayonnaise and lemon to add to it. If calamari isn’t your thing, their bacon sandwich is another fan favorite. If you’re looking for a quick lunch between sights, this is an easy place hop in and out.
Los Bocadillos
In the Argüelles neighborhood, you’ll find Los Bocadillos, another famous calamari sandwich restaurant. Since this location is not near the most common tourist sites, it may feel a little more traditional. If you have time and really love calamari, I suggest visiting both restaurants and consider doing a taste test!
Madrid has so much rich history, and it’s one of my favorite cities in the world. I would visit every year if I could. Trying tapas and bocadillos is a great way to explore the city and culture though your taste buds. It’s also a great way to experience the tradition of spending time with family and friends while enjoying good food and drinks. Consider visiting all or some of these incredible tapas bars and restaurants.
This post is my list of 8 Iconic Tapas Bars in Madrid.
If you’re looking for more things to do in Madrid and Spain, check out these posts:
Exciting 4 Day Madrid Travel Itinerary
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