Spain is a feast for the senses, where every region shows its personality through food. To travel here is to embark on a journey of flavors, from bustling tapas bars to rustic stews, delicate seafood, and world-class wines. Spanish culinary culture is deeply tied to its landscapes, traditions, and history, making a tour of Spain one of the best food experiences in Europe.
You can join a tapas tour in Madrid, savor paella in Valencia, or explore the vineyards of La Rioja - each dish is a gateway to understanding the country’s soul. This food lover travel Spain guide takes you on an itinerary of authentic tapas, iconic dishes, and regional specialties, inviting you to enjoy a wine and food itinerary across Spain that is as cultural as it is delicious!
Go To Madrid & Try Cocido Madrileño
Start your journey in Spain’s vibrant capital, where cocido madrileño warms the heart and soul. This slow-cooked chickpea stew, enriched with meats, sausages, and vegetables, is traditionally served in three courses and best enjoyed in Madrid’s historic taverns.
Before sitting down for this comforting meal, take a walking tour through the city’s elegant plazas, wander along the Gran Vía, or visit the Royal Palace. A tapas tour in Madrid will introduce you to the city’s lighter bites too, but cocido remains its most authentic comfort dish. Rich, hearty, and steeped in tradition, it is the perfect way to experience Spanish regional foods while immersing yourself in the cultural heartbeat of Madrid.
Get To Know Segovia & Feast On Cochinillo Asado
Head to Segovia in Castile-León, where cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig) is the crown jewel. Cooked in wood-fired ovens until the skin is crisp and the meat melts in your mouth, this dish is served in centuries-old restaurants. Before your feast, marvel at Segovia’s Roman Aqueduct or the fairy-tale Alcázar rising above the city.
"Cochinillo asado embodies Spanish culinary culture at its most traditional, offering travelers one of the best food experiences in Spain. Combined with Segovia’s architectural wonders, it deserves its place in a wine and food itinerary in Spain, celebrating flavor, history, and hospitality.
Head To Andalusia & Savor Tapas Culture
In Andalusia, tapas are a way of life! From slices of jamón ibérico and bowls of salmorejo to platters of fried fish, tapas reflect the region’s rich history and Mediterranean influences. The best way to discover authentic tapas in Spain is to hop between lively bars in cities like Seville, Córdoba, or Granada.
Pair your tapas crawl with visits to Andalusia’s cultural treasures: the Alcázar of Seville, the Alhambra of Granada, or a flamenco evening in a traditional “tablao”. This fusion of food and culture is what makes a tapas tour in Spain unforgettable, offering a taste of local life and a glimpse into centuries of tradition.
Travel to Valencia & Taste Authentic Paella
No Spain food and wine tour would be complete without tasting paella in Valencia, the birthplace of this world-renowned dish. Cooked over an open flame in a wide, shallow pan, traditional paella features rice infused with saffron, chicken, rabbit, and green beans. For a deeper connection, join a paella in Valencia guide or cooking class to learn the secrets behind its preparation before enjoying your creation al fresco.
Beyond the dish itself, Valencia offers architectural wonders like the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences and the historic Silk Exchange. To taste paella where it was born is to experience Spanish culinary culture at its finest: a highlight of any food lover’s travel through Spain!
Visit Barcelona & Indulge In Crema Catalana
Barcelona is a city that dazzles with creativity, from Gaudí’s Park Güell to its thriving food scene. Among its sweetest offerings is crema catalana, a creamy dessert with caramelized sugar on top, often compared to crème brûlée but lighter and scented with citrus and cinnamon.
After a walking tour of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter or a visit to the Sagrada Familia, you can stop at a traditional restaurant to enjoy this Catalan classic. A tapas tour in Barcelona will tempt you with savory delights, but ending the evening with crema catalana completes the experience! This is where dessert meets artistry in a city that never fails to inspire.
Stop In La Rioja & Pair Wine With Patatas A La Riojana
Northern Spain beckons with rolling vineyards and rustic dishes. In La Rioja, the quintessential pairing is patatas a la riojana (a simple yet flavorful stew of potatoes, chorizo, and paprika) washed down with the region’s celebrated red wines.
Touring a vineyard or visiting a wine cellar in Haro or Logroño reveals the depth of Spain’s winemaking heritage, making it an essential stop on any wine and food itinerary in Spain. Here, the warmth of the dish mirrors the richness of the wines, creating an unforgettable balance of rustic flavors and refined sips. Exploring La Rioja’s villages between tastings ensures your gastronomic tour of Spain blends food, culture, and landscape seamlessly!
Explore The Basque Country & Sample Pintxos
Few food experiences in Spain rival a pintxos crawl in the Basque Country. In San Sebastián, bite-sized creations line the bars of the "Parte Vieja" (Old Town), each combining bold flavors and an inventive presentation. Pintxos, secured with toothpicks on slices of bread, range from seafood to cured meats to avant-garde culinary experiments.
The best way to enjoy them is on an evening pintxos tour, hopping between bars with a glass of local txakoli wine in hand. Pair this with coastal views or a stroll along La Concha beach, and you will discover why Basque cuisine is world-renowned. This blend of culture and creativity makes pintxos an unmissable highlight of Spanish regional foods to try.
Journey To Galicia & Enjoy Pulpo A La Gallega
Galicia, in Spain’s northwest, offers some of the most authentic seafood experiences in Europe. The star dish is pulpo a la gallega: tender octopus seasoned with paprika, olive oil, and coarse salt, served over boiled potatoes. Best enjoyed in traditional pulperías, it reflects the region’s seafaring traditions.
Pair your meal with Albariño wine and a visit to Santiago de Compostela, where pilgrims end their Camino at the awe-inspiring cathedral. Galicia’s rugged coastlines and cultural depth make it a must for a gastronomic tour of Spain. Pulpo a la gallega is more than a dish; it is a taste of Galicia’s soul.
Crafting Your Perfect Food Lover’s Tour!
Spain is best discovered through its flavors, with each dish revealing the story of a region’s culture and traditions. From Andalusia’s tapas to Valencia’s paella, from Basque pintxos to Segovia’s cochinillo, the country offers a mosaic of memorable tastes. A food lover’s journey here is about immersing yourself in Spain’s plazas and palaces, vineyards and coastlines, with every bite bringing you closer to Spain’s heart! At TourTailors, we specialize in crafting these journeys from scratch, tailoring each gastronomic tour of Spain to your tastes and interests. Contact us today and start planning your Spanish culinary adventure!
