12 Best Cooking Classes In Madrid, Spain - Updated 2025

Aarti
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 5 min read

Madrid, the capital of Spain is a city bursting with history, colors, and a lot of cultures. You will find some of the best art museums in the whole of Europe. Along with this, Madrid is also home to some of the attractions including Buen Retiro Palace, Museo Nacional del Prado, Royal Palace, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, and Gran Vía. When in Madrid, you do not need to worry about your accommodation. You can stay in one of these vacation rentals or if you prefer a more opulent experience then you can opt for one of these luxury villas. But, if you want to indulge in something a little extra then try enrolling yourself into a cooking class that is led by a local professional chef in the city. And if you are considering this idea, then check out some of the best cooking classes in Madrid, Spain.

1. Learn to make Tapas and Paella

Indulge in the vibrant culinary traditions of Spain with a captivating Spanish cooking class in Madrid. Led by a seasoned local chef, this hands-on class offers a unique opportunity to learn the art of cooking traditional Spanish dishes. Discover the secrets behind beloved tapas and the iconic paella as you delve into the culinary repertoire of your expert instructor.

From savoring ensaladilla rusa to mastering the art of crafting the beloved croquetas de jamón (ham croquettes), your taste buds will be treated to an array of delightful flavors. Dive into the world of paella, as you learn to prepare this iconic rice dish, and savor the exquisite ajoarriero cod, enhanced with a medley of vegetables. To complement the experience, the class provides a selection of beverages including beer, wine, and soft drinks.

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2. Art of cooking Paella

Experience the true flavors of Spain by joining this immersive cooking class in Madrid at a private residence. The class focuses on the preparation of authentic seafood paella, known as one of the most indulgent variations of this classic Spanish dish.

To kick off the experience, you’ll prepare a refreshing sangria, setting the stage for a delightful culinary adventure. You’ll learn essential techniques as you cut and prepare the ingredients necessary for the paella. As the aromatic scents fill the air, you’ll move on to the star of the show – the rice. Your host will skillfully demonstrate how to cook the rice perfectly, ensuring that every bite is flavorful.

While the paella simmers, you’ll have the chance to indulge in a mouthwatering potato omelet, showcasing the delicious simplicity of Spanish cuisine. Additionally, a delectable bruschetta topped with ham and tomato will tantalize your taste buds.

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3. Learn the art of cooking tapas

If you always fancied eating various tapas but didn’t know how to make them yourself, enroll in this course for cooking Spanish meals. At a private local eatery in Madrid, a professional chef will teach you the art of making the perfect tapas in this three-hour cooking class. You will learn the techniques and skills to make Spanish tapas in a step-by-step process under the guidance of the chef. Besides learning some new culinary skills, you will also enjoy the tapas you made from scratch, along with some white and red wine.

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4. A tapas cooking marathon

When in Spain, eating and trying your hand at making tapas is a must. It doesn’t matter if you are an amateur cook or have never cooked in your life, this three and a half-hour cooking class in Madrid is enough to broaden your cooking knowledge and tapas-making skills. This class only takes on a small group, which is ideal to introduce you to the world of Spanish cooking. You will get to create not one, but ten types of tapas dishes, which you can later sit down and devour, accompanied by regional wines. A professional chef guides you through the whole process and the end product is a treat in itself.

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Madrid Tour Guide

sandra lopez

Sandra Lopez

Hi! I'm Sandra, a tour guide from Madrid. I was born and raised in the city center of the capital, so I know every single corner of my favourite city in the world. I have two years of experience as a guide and I love my job, I am very sociable and I am passionate about showing Madrid to everyone. I love history and I am an art expert thanks to the Prado Museum courses.

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Madrid Tour Guide

Patricia Knabe

Patricia Knabe

Hi! I am a photographer that’s triying to go ahead in filming as a cinematographer. Very social person that has experienced the Madrid during the "Transicion", "Movida Madrileña" and the LGTB movement. Love to show my city in a special way with all the history and improvements that are happening today. I´ve experienced the gay revolution since the early years and I´m very passionate about it! ... Read more

Tours by Patricia

5. Learn all about Spanish cooking techniques

Add on new skills to your existing list by learning how to cook authentic Spanish food. Take home some great knowledge on cooking, as well as the wonderful memories made that day. In this four-hour cooking class, you get to learn how to prepare gazpacho, tapas, paella, and more. After preparing the dishes, you get to enjoy what you have cooked, along with a nice glass of sangria. The best part about this class is that you can choose from the morning or evening batch, depending on when you are free and don’t have a sightseeing or shopping trip planned.

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6. Cook and feast like a local

In this class, you will get hands-on training from a professional chef on how to prepare local dishes. This is one of the best places for cooking classes in Madrid since it is held at the chef’s home kitchen where you will cook paella, and tapas, and even make your own sangria for an all-around traditional Spanish meal. After the class, you will get to enjoy a lip-smacking dessert too. This class will help you hone new cooking skills and learn techniques used to prepare a whole new cuisine. Learning and eating is the best way to spend time exploring a new culture.

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7. Cook paella and tortilla

If you enjoy devouring Spanish cuisine or are looking forward to getting your hands on homemade some Spanish delicacies, then here’s your chance. In this three-hour cooking class, you get to prepare paella and tortillas under the watchful eye and guidance of the chef. Before making the dishes, you get to shop at the local market for all the ingredients required for the dish where the chef will also accompany you. After getting all the ingredients, you then start preparing four kinds of Spanish dishes, which you can later recreate back home for your friends and family.

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8. Cook up mouth-watering Spanish recipes

Learn all the secrets, techniques, and skills of cooking Spanish cuisine in this three-hour cooking class. You will get to immerse in the culture by strolling through the stalls that sell local produce at Torrijos Market, and also get to prepare the Spanish signature dishes like an omelet, gazpacho, and paella, all while tasting the local wines of the country. And to end the class, you will get to taste your very own creations. You can take back these new skills to your home country and recreate the dishes.

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9. Prepare seafood paella

If you love paella, you will enjoy taking this workshop. In this workshop, you will get to create the classic and most beloved Spanish fare - paella, made with fresh coastal seafood in a step-by-step process. After preparing the dish, you will get to taste the handmade paella along with the other participants from the group. You will also learn about the history of paella whilst you prepare the dish. It will be quite a memorable experience to take back home from Spain. It’s the perfect souvenir to take home; a great new dish to cook under your belt!

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10. Prepare restaurant-style Valencian paella at home

As we’ve already established, paella is an unprecedented Spanish phenomenon that needs to be learned and devoured. In this four-hour workshop, you will be given deep insights into the traditional method of making Valencian paella from the master, an experienced chef. Along with learning how to make it, you will also learn about the history of paella. After learning about and preparing the tasty dish, you will get to sit down and taste what you have made along with your classmates. You can also share your meal with the other members partaking in the class, chat with them and make new friends.

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11. Serve vegetarian food in style

If you are tired of exploring the attractions of Madrid, but still want to immerse in the culture, what better way to do it than by enrolling yourself to a cooking class? In this half-day cooking workshop, you will enter into a whole new world of preparing the traditional Spanish omelet and paella, along with fellow travelers. You will also get an introduction to Spanish cuisine from experienced chefs here. To those who want to master the skill of cooking vegetarian food, this is the place to be.

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12. Impress your loved ones with your cooking skills

If you want to cook like a true Spaniard, here’s your chance. Take this three-hour cooking class to become an ace at making some of the best Spanish dishes and to show off your skills to friends and family. You will get to prepare traditional dishes like sangria, paella, tortilla, gazpacho, and many other delicious fares. After working tirelessly in the kitchen, you can toast to your hard work with the other group members, and also get to taste the finished creations that you prepared under the guidance of the professional chef.

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Polish up your culinary skills

When you are on a vacation in Madrid and want to break away from the usual, you can try something different by opting for a cooking class along with your family or friends. The best way to soak in the culture is by learning how to cook a local dish from scratch. So, while here, make sure to opt for any one of the above-mentioned cooking classes for a memorable experience.

Frequently asked questions about cooking classes in Madrid, Spain.

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Born in Mumbai and brought up in Bangalore, India, Aarti is a full-time freelance writer by profession. She is a lover of everything the ‘blue dot’ offers—world cultures, off-the-beaten tracks,...Read more

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