The Leaders enjoy Madrid’s most traditional flavors and uncover some of Spain’s culinary secrets | View the Program Summary in PDF
With the aim of adding cultural and more relaxed activities, the Australian Leaders Program included a walking tour through the center of Madrid, featuring stops at century-old taverns to taste a selection of traditional tapas, guided by Margit from the company Walk and Eat. The visit brought together all the ingredients to discover Madrid from a historical, architectural, and gastronomic perspective.
The route began with an ascent along Calle Arenal, ending at Extrem Ibérico, an establishment offering products with a Denomination of Origin from Extremadura. There, the Leaders sampled some of the pillars of Spanish gastronomy: extra virgin olive oil and Iberian acorn-fed cured meats —ham, loin, chorizo, and salchichón— accompanied by a carefully selected range of wines.
The tour then took the group to Plaza del Biombo, one of Madrid’s oldest squares, next to the Church of San Nicolás, and from there to a privileged viewpoint offering stunning views of the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral.
The walk concluded at Casa Ciriaco, a true castizo gem on Calle Mayor, which has witnessed historic moments —such as the 1906 assassination attempt on King Alfonso XIII— and hosted renowned figures including Valle-Inclán, Zuloaga, Mingote, legendary bullfighters, and members of the royal family. There, the Leaders enjoyed some of Madrid’s most emblematic tapas, such as tortilla de patata (Spanish omelette), gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), albóndigas (meatballs), and torrijas (Spanish-style French toast).
