Madrid is a city that’s a hot spot for tourists worldwide, as well as locals who love exploring more. With a rich history all around, the capital has excellent offerings in gastronomy and a fantastic wine region!
Even if you’re not a huge wine connoisseur, you’ll surely enjoy going on a winery tour here. We took it upon ourselves to do all of the research for you, to bring you the top Madrid wine tasting tours available!
Each of these are highly-rated, and are sure to be worth your time and money.
Best Winery Tours In Madrid
PRIVATE TOUR -Wineries Day Tour w/ Hotel Pickup & Lunch | Wineries Guided Tour to Madrid wine country w/ Wine Tasting | PRIVATE TOUR - Premium Ribera del Duero Wine Tour w/ Lunch | |
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Departure Point: | Hotel pickup and drop-off available | P.º de la Infanta Isabel, 5, P.º de la Infanta Isabel, 5, 28014 Madrid | Hotel pickup and drop-off |
Departure Time: | 9:30 am | 9:30 am | 8:00 am |
Duration: | 7 hours | 6 hours | 9 hours |
Includes: | Small-group tour (up to 7 people), hotel pickup, transportation in a luxury minivan, 2 guided winery visits, tasting of 2-3 wines at each winery, 3 course meal w/ wine, guide | Transport by air-conditioned minibus, 3 guided winery visits, wine tasting of over 10 wines between whites and reds, snacks, small group tour, local wine guide | Hotel pickup and drop-off (Central Madrid), lunch, wine tasting (2-3 wines per winery), driver/guide, bottled water, coffee and/or tea, alcoholic beverages |
Quick Answer: The 7 Best Madrid Winery Tours For 2023
- PRIVATE TOUR -Wineries Day Tour from Madrid with Hotel Pickup and Lunch
- Wineries Guided Tour to Madrid wine country with Wine Tasting from Madrid
- PRIVATE TOUR – Premium Ribera del Duero Wine Tour with Lunch & Hotel Pick-Up
- Premium Winery Tour: Ribera del Duero, Peñafiel & Two Top Wineries
- Wineries Guided Tour to Ribera del Duero with Wine Tasting from Madrid
- Segovia & Ribera Del Duero Wine Tour with Lunch Included
- Guided Tour to Ribera del Duero Winery and Wine Tasting from Madrid
Madrid Winery Tour Reviews
1. PRIVATE TOUR -Wineries Day Tour from Madrid w/ Hotel Pickup & Lunch
- Duration: 7 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off available
- Departure Time: 9:30 am
- Includes: Small-group tour (up to 7 people), hotel pickup, transportation in a luxury minivan with air-conditioning, 2 guided winery visits, tasting of 2-3 wines at each winery, 3 course meal including wine, cava sorbet and coffee, expert guide
Kicking things off, we have the Guided Tour to Ribera del Duero Winery and Wine Tasting from Madrid. This 10-hour excursion is an all-day commitment, so make sure you plan on bringing some good walking shoes and a plan to try various wine tastings!
You’ll learn all about wine and the history of this area, along with how the two influenced each other throughout the years!
You’ll meet at Hotel Claridge to board your transportation at 9:30 am, heading straight to the first winery of the day. The trip here is about 2 hours, so make sure to get comfortable. Along the way, your guide will tell you and your group all about the surrounding area which is quite beautiful!
Once at the winery, you’ll learn all about the red wines made from this legendary part of Spain, as well as partake in various tastings of their typical wines. Afterward, you’ll take a break to have some lunch at a local restaurant with traditional dishes from Castile/Leon.
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After you’re fueled up and ready for more, you’ll head to the second winery where you’ll also have some wine tastings of something a bit different than the first. If there’s time, you’ll even be able to visit a third winery.
There are also many other activities you can partake in, such as exploring more about the gastronomy, checking out the natural landscapes, local history, underground caves, and more. You’ll surely be an expert on the Ribero del Duero region by signing up to this tour!
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. Wineries Guided Tour to Madrid wine country w/ Wine Tasting from Madrid
- Duration: 6 hours
- Departure: P.º de la Infanta Isabel, 5, P.º de la Infanta Isabel, 5, 28014 Madrid
- Departure Time: 9:30 am
- Includes: Transport by air-conditioned minibus, 3 guided winery visits with the owners and winemakers, wine tasting of over 10 wines between whites and reds, snacks, small group tour max 19 people (average of 8 people), expert bilingual local wine guide
Perhaps you’re looking for a shorter tour than the one we just covered, or just don’t have the schedule for an all-day excursion. If so, then check out the Wineries Guided Tour to Madrid Wine Country with Wine Tasting from Madrid. Lasting 6 hours, you’ll pack a lot in with 3 wineries and the chance to taste over 10 wines!
With a small group size, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask any questions you may have. The more personalized experience allows you to see more, and tour through the 3 different wineries effectively instead of waiting around for the rest of the group.
Board the air-conditioned, comfortable minivan in central Madrid while you drive through the countryside as your guide/driver tells you all about the area. They’ll not only share interesting facts, but even personal anecdotes and funny stories!
You’ll travel for about 20 minutes to the center of Madrid’s winemaking area, aka “Vinos de Madrid”. You’ll visit a cellar with centenary caves and see winemaking in clay baths, which is fascinating to hear about as well as see!
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The guide will fill you in about the wine process, along with some first-hand insight from the winemakers, themselves.
The schedule may change a bit, but you oftentimes will head to Colmenar de Oreja as well. This is a labor house that produces not only wine, but oil as well. This family business has been in production for 5 generations now, and they use essentially the same wine processes as they did back in the day.
Check out the Tagus River valley, where you’ll learn all about the historical and present wine region of Madrid and how many aspects are the same as they were many years ago. The wineries that you’ll tour vary in traditions and modern techniques, so you learn about different styles and can try a variety to narrow down what you like best.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. PRIVATE TOUR – Premium Ribera del Duero Wine Tour w/ Lunch & Hotel Pick-Up
- Duration: 9 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Departure Time: 8:00 am
- Includes: Hotel pickup and drop-off (Central Madrid), lunch, wine tasting (2-3 wines per winery), driver/guide, bottled water, coffee and/or tea, alcoholic beverages
This tour is perfect for combining gourmet food, delicious wine-tasting, and exploring various historical sites. The PRIVATE TOUR – Premium Ribera del Duero Wine Tour w/ Lunch & Hotel Pick-Up is one of the most popular, lasting 9 hours. With round-trip transportation offered, it’s one of the most convenient ways to get to know this area.
Booking is a super easy process with mobile tickets, so you don’t have to worry about finding a printer at your hotel to print them out. Meet downstairs in the hotel lobby with the rest of your small group (a maximum of 7 people) to get ready and have some fun!
The luxury minivan comes with air conditioning and spacious seats so you can really relax in-between tours. Having been features in the New York Times, you know it’s good quality.
Once you arrive at the first winery, you’ll get a tour of the area and learn some of its fascinating history behind Madrid and Ribera del Duero, specifically. Enjoy 3 varied, delicious courses paired perfectly with different local wines.
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The small group sizes mean more personalized attention. It’s almost like a friend is taking you around their winery, teaching you everything they know.
The three wineries may not be the same each tour, but the experts do well to mix more “classic/traditional” wineries along with more modern ones. This is a great way to see which practices each one uses, and which you like the result of better.
Not only that, but you’ll be able to experience the different types of architecture, which is always exciting!
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Premium Winery Tour: Ribera del Duero, Peñafiel & Two Top Wineries
- Duration: 12 hours
- Departure: Plaza de San Miguel, Pl. de San Miguel, Madrid
- Departure Time: Morning
- Includes:Private transport, alcoholic Beverages
This is yet another all-day adventure, where you’ll get to visit some of the best wineries and vineyards in all of Spain. The Premium Winery Tour: Ribera del Duero, Peñafiel & Two Top Wineries Tour is a must-see whether you’re a complete newbie to wine or practically a connoisseur.
Clocking in at 12 hours, you will learn so much through tasting, seeing, and hands-on experiences. Meet at plaza de San Miguel in front of Mercado de San Miguel first thing in the morning, where you’ll meet with your guide and receive a welcoming/briefing from them.
You’ll then head out to the Ribera del Duero region, which is renowned worldwide for its wine. With over 2,000 years of history, there’s definitely a lot to learn about!
After about 2 hours of driving, you’ll arrive at Aranda de Duero for a guided tour of the winery, along with a varied wine tasting.
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Afterward, head to Peñafiel for some exploring and lunch! Known for its castle and gorgeous medieval square, it was once one of the most important commercial and historic centers of the country.
You’ll then head to Sardon de Duero for another winery guided tour or two, and some more wine tastings. We found everyone involved to be very knowledgeable and helpful. If you have any questions, they’re more than happy to answer them for you or offer more insight into wine notes, flavors, etc.
They’ll show you every step of the wine-making process, and being completely bilingual, it’s explained perfectly.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Wineries Guided Tour to Ribera del Duero w/ Wine Tasting from Madrid
- Duration: 11 hours
- Departure: P.º de la Infanta Isabel, 5, P.º de la Infanta Isabel, 5, 28014 Madrid
- Departure Time: 9:15 am
- Includes: Three winery visits, wine tasting (minimum of two wines on each winery), bilingual expert guide (Bilingual tour if necessary), transport by air-conditioned van or coach, snacks (at the wineries)
Next up, we have the Wineries Guided Tour to Ribera del Duero with Wine Tasting from Madrid. This 11-hour tour will give you insight into the unique background of the wine culture from Ribera del Duero.
Just like a few others on our guide, you’ll get to see 3 different wineries and learn about their versatile backgrounds and different methods for creating their vino.
What we really loved about this tour was the way they incorporated the regions very old history, medieval villages, squares, and castles into the winery and vineyard tours.
They do relate to one-another and still have quite a relevant influence. Meet up in Madrid with the rest of your group and tour guide/driver and head towards Ribera del Duero at 9:15 am.
One thing you’re sure to notice before you arrive is the gorgeous Duero river, beautifully-colored landscapes, and ancient pieces of architecture.
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Your first tour will show you how they mix both new and classic wine-making techniques, and teach you about how they had to learn over the centuries how to best grow their grapes in the sometimes extreme weather conditions.
As the tours can change within different wineries, we can’t say exactly which ones you’ll visit. However, you will learn more about tempranillo wine and the step-by-step process of making it. You’ll get to try plenty of their aged and newer wines, as they explain to you the varied properties
After your first couple of winery tours, you’ll have some free time to enjoy a mouthwatering lunch in a traditional Castilian restaurant. Even if you aren’t that hungry, there are plenty of tapas options to nibble on! After refueling, you’ll get to check out a cool medieval underground cellar!
Well, you may not get to see the entire thing, as it is a whopping 4 miles long! Taste different wines as the guide fills you in on the history of this place.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
6. Segovia & Ribera Del Duero Wine Tour w/ Lunch Included
- Duration: 10 hours
- Departure: Hotel Claridge, Pl. del Conde de Casal, 6, 28007 Madrid
- Departure Time: 9:30 am
- Includes: Bottled water, lunch, air-conditioned vehicle, lunch
If you’re interested in tasting varied styles of wine from Ribera de Duero, you’re in the right place. The Segovia & Ribera del Duero Wine Tour with Lunch Included option will take you back in time while explaining the relevance of some modern winemaking techniques employed today.
This 10-hour tour will start off at 9:30 am so you can fit in a ton of information (and wine)! Meet at a central Madrid location to board your air-conditioned, private coach.
While it may be tempting to fall asleep on this comfortable ride, you’ll want to enjoy the beautiful views outside and listen to your guide tell you all about the area.
They tend to be very friendly, funny, entertaining, and of course, extremely knowledgeable about the history of Madrid and the surrounding area and wine.
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When you arrive to your first winery, you’ll learn all about the way they’ve produced their legendary wine for hundreds of years while incorporating particular modern techniques to enhance their tinto fino wines. Oh, and you’ll have plenty of opportunity to sample them as well, putting your newfound knowledge into play.
Next up, you’ll get to visit the aqueduct of Segovia, take in incredible views of a 12th-century castle, explore underground cave networks, and more. Have lunch at one of the 3 wineries you’ll visit, in a serene, stunning setting.
From strictly traditional to ultra-modern, the winemakers will show you why they’re only growing in popularity. Crianza, Reserva, Joven, and Rosado are just some of the types you will sip on.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
7. Guided Tour to Ribera del Duero Winery and Wine Tasting from Madrid
- Duration: 10 hours
- Departure: Hotel Claridge, Pl. del Conde de Casal, 6, 28007 Madrid, Spain
- Departure Time: 9:30 am
- Includes: Wine tasting, all activities, transport by air-conditioned minivan and coach, local professional guide
We couldn’t leave out the Guided Tour to Ribera del Duero Winery and Wine Tasting from Madrid! Starting out at 9:30 am with roundtrip transport, if you’re staying in Madrid this is simply one of the most convenient ways of experiencing this wine country.
It’s simply one of the best wine tours available, and with so many to choose from, that’s really saying a lot. With some of the smallest group sizes (not due to demand, but rather for improved experience), it’s a very personalized tour that feels so welcoming and fun.
If you’ve ever wanted to do a winetasting in a castle, then look no further! The air-conditioned minivan is the perfect size for these small groups. They’re just spacious enough that you can stretch out and get comfortable, but not so big that it’s difficult to maneuver the vehicle or hear your guide/driver.
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Along the way to the first vineyard, learn about the varied landscapes and the Duero river. Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by the staff and jump right into learning about this magnificent wine region!
A very traditional wine is made here, with techniques that haven’t changed for hundreds of years. After, take a break for some lunch of traditional Castilian cuisine.
After, you’ll get to visit another one or two wineries, depending on traffic and other factors. The wineries are selected based on the type of methods they use, so you get a well-rounded experience and knowledge of each kind. Meanwhile, you’ll learn about the local gastronomy, landscapes, architecture (like a castle!), caves, and more.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Madrid Travel Guide
Getting There
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas is the main airport of Madrid, which is just 20 minutes or so from the city center or el centro. With 4 different terminals, it comes with quite a bit of shopping and other facilities. You can easily score a flight directly to Madrid from the vast majority of airports around the US as most of the major airlines serve this route.
The main carriers are Iberia, American Airlines, and Delta Airlines. In fact, if you’re flying from NYC or O’Hare in Chicago, you can expect direct flights in the off-season to cost you around 500 bucks!
Getting Around
The metro fares depend on which neighborhood you’re in, however, they’ll pretty consistently range from 1.50 to 2 euros (approx. $1.75 to $2.30). If you plan on using it frequently throughout your visit, you can also opt for a Tourist Card. These are either 1-day, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7-day quantities. We did the math, and they almost always are more budget-friendly. Just remember that it is open from 6am to 1:30am.
Bus – Available from 6am to 11:30pm, Monday through Friday, and 7am to 11pm on the weekends, the bus also covers a good amount of the city. However, there are also night buses that start at 11:30pm and take over into the late hours! This is perfect if you want to catch a rave, a late-night drink and dinner, or simply want to see the city from a different view.
Taxi – Taxis are always an option, and hailing them off the street is pretty simple. Throughout various tourist destinations, you’ll also often see them lining up just waiting for customers. Remember, that the ones who have lit up green lights on the roofs are those that are available. Try to ride only with the city’s official cabs, which are white with a red diagonal stripe on the sides, along with Madrid’s emblem.
Alternatively, you can use a ride-sharing app. Uber does operate in the city, so this is an option.
Tip: Always make sure that the taximeter is on as soon as your trip starts! Some drivers will keep it off to try and scam some extra cash from you. If your driver doesn’t speak English, you can ask them to turn it on like this: “Disculpe, se puede prender el meter, por favor?”.
Where to Stay
Madrid consists of many different neighborhoods, with quite a few being very attractive for tourists. No matter what your budget is, you’ll realistically find somewhere that works for you.
- For the luxe and plush, opt for Salamanca. In fact, the neighborhood’s Calle de Serrano is often compared to New York City’s Upper East Side, and referred to as “The Golden Mile”.
- If you’re on a budget, head to Lavapies or Chueca. Both areas are very affordable, and are easy to navigate by foot.
- If you’re traveling with children/the entire family, check out Barrio de Las Letras, or Sol-Gran Via. Sol-Gran Via is the area located between Puerta del Sol and Gran Via. This is the center of Madrid’s “cultural spots”. It features all kinds of theaters, boutiques, along with many very important buildings and unique architecture.
- If you’re planning on going out to bars, clubs, and other nightlife scenes, check out Chueca, or La Latina. Chueca is a lively area full of people from all walks of life, all ages, and interests. The cafes and masterly-crafted cocktails here are incredible. La Latina is also very high-energy, and you’ll find many little markets, tapas bars, and “block parties”. In fact tapas are so popular, there are tapas walking tours in Madrid!
- If you’re top priority in Madrid is to try the most delicious food possible, you can stay anywhere in El Centro. This is actually one of the safest, most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods in the city. Not to mention, the elaborate architecture, palaces, etc. are some of the most impressive in the entire country.
Restaurants and Eating Out
As you can imagine, Madrid has some of the best food in the world. Let’s go ahead and look at some of the city’s top restaurants and eateries.
Saddle – Saddle is absolutely an artistic experience. It’s high-class, very elegant, yet intimate rather than stuffy. By combining modern-day with classic techniques, you’ll find this place to be refined yet varied. All on one floor, you’ll find private rooms and an expansive dining room with beautiful views.
Cruz Blanca de Vallecas – Consistently award-winning, Cruz Blanca de Vallecas offers Spanish food, placing tradition at the forefront of the operation. With international standards, this restaurant es made to make you feel like you’re coming home. Just make sure you book far in advance, as it can be booked up to 3 months at times!
Casa Benigna – If you go to Spain, you have to try paella. It’s just an unspoken rule. For excellent paella, make sure you head to Casa Benigna. The rice-based dish features arroz negro, squid ink, beans, meat, and more.
El Cisne Azul – Located in Chueca, El Cisne Azul is known for their wild mushrooms, with dishes that incorporate them like grilled boletus with foie gras and mushroom carpaccio. If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, you’re in the clear, as they also offer grilled meats and other dishes.
El Meson del Boqueron – El Meson del Boqueron offers basically the best callos a la madrileña we’ve had. With tripe, morcilla, and chorizo, it’s definitely packed with flavor and is perfect for any kind of weather. The restaurant itself is very captivating, with a kind of gothic flair that makes it look like it’s been around for hundreds of years.
Nightlife and Entertainment
Nightlife in Madrid is booming, and you can find everything from a flamenco club to massive electronic music raves.
Fabrik – If you’re looking for said rave, head to Fabrik. This two-floor club has a whopping 7,000-person capacity and a beautiful sound system to accommodate their world-famous DJs. Kapital is located in El Centro, and is legendary throughout all of Europe. The enormous club features 7 floors – each with a different theme. Goya Social Club is a nice alternative if you aren’t ready for 7 floors of partying. It has a capacity of just 200 people, though the more intimate environment is perfect for its house, deep house, tech house, and sometimes techno artists.
Get out of your comfort zone and into a tablao, or flamenco bar. Here, you can see or even participate in dancing flamenco while enjoying some delicious eats and fine drinks. Corral de la Moreria is our top pick, and is one of the oldest tablaos around. Torres Bermejas is another hot choice, with their traditional cuisine and famous flamenco.
For innovative cocktails, look no further than Salmon Guru. It has an interesting name, but even more interesting drinks. The neon décor is very flashy and fun for taking photos. Diego Cabrera owns this one along with Viva Madrid: another one of our favorites. Viva Madrid has an almost opposite take on Salmon Guru, being a historic tavern with classic cocktails. Varsovia Cocktail & Bar is charming, and one of the top picks for a good vermouth and tapas.
No matter where you go in Madrid, you’ll likely be able to find many pretty, outdoor bars and cafes, karaoke bars, and live music.
Weather
While many people may think that Madrid is constantly warm, this is not the case at all. Their summers are typically pretty short, hot (around 99 degrees Fahrenheit), and dry. This is great if you aren’t a fan of humidity. However, the wintertime can get very cold and cloudy, dipping down to 23 degrees Fahrenheit at times! Try visiting from late June to late August for the best weather – just remember that most other European countries also have vacation from school at this time and things can get crowded.
Attractions
If you enjoy Mother Nature and serene little getaways, you’ll love Buen Retiro Park and the Crystal Palace. El Parque del Retiro is filled with lush flora, and is preened and maintained wonderfully. Covering over 140 hectares, it will originally made for the Count Duke of Olivares back in the 17th century! El Palacio de Cristal consists of cast iron and glass, and sits in front of a flowing fountain and reflecting pool. Parques and fountains are plentiful in Madrid however, so you can really take your pick.
Aside from the Prado Museum, Madrid has many other architectural stunners like the Royal Palace and Gardens. Drawing many similarities to Paris Versailles, this palace is still used as the official residence of the king of Spain. Here, you can also catch some artwork by Velazquez, Goya, El Greco, and the rest of the crew. However, all kinds of palaces and interesting architecture covers Madrid.
If you’re a history buff, you have to head over to Puerta del Sol, which is where the old city gate stood. It’s been the center of many important events throughout history, such as the Spanish resistance to Napoleon back in the early 1800’s, and in 1931 when the Second Republic was proclaimed! Today, it has all kinds of fun shops and trendy cafes.
Tips
Once you arrive to your destination, try and walk as much as you can (within reason). Obviously, this is counting on your area being safe to walk around, which all of the neighborhoods we’ve mentioned are. This is the best way to get a feel for the city, and you can see everything up close. Plus, if you ever get tired, Madrid has an excellent public transportation system to help you out.
Try to at least learn Spanish basics. There are tons of great channels on YouTube, and Duolingo is a handy little app to have. If you practice just a few weeks before you go, you should at least be able to speak what’s required.
Make sure to check the restaurants’ meal times, as Spanish meal times are quite a bit different from ours. Lunch usually starts around 2pm, and dinner is served around 9, which is pretty late by most of our standards.