- Almudena Maíllo, the councilor in charge of tourism, is promoting Madrid as a premier tourist destination in Lima.
- The “DeLiMadrid” culinary alliance showcases the excellence and diversity of Madrid’s and Lima’s cuisines to the world.
- The initiative was unveiled in Lima with a dinner attended by Peru’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Espá, and Lima’s Metropolitan Mayor, Renzo Reggiardo.
- This weekend, Lima’s historic center is hosting a fair featuring gastronomic products from Lima and Madrid, with cooking workshops, a photography exhibition, and a menu featuring Madrid-inspired dishes at local restaurants.
- Madrid accounts for 72.4% of Peruvian tourist arrivals in Spain, with a total of 293,639 visitors in 2025 and spending of 501.4 million euros.
Madrid’s gastronomy has taken center stage at the Peruvian edition of “DeLiMadrid: A World of Flavors,” an initiative promoted by the Madrid City Council and the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima to strengthen ties between the two capitals through their culinary heritage. Almudena Maíllo, the councilor in charge of tourism, is participating in the program of activities taking place through this Sunday in the historic center of the Peruvian capital, one of the highlights of which is an exhibition dedicated to the cuisine and products of Madrid and Lima.
“DeLiMadrid” kicked off its program with a dinner held last Friday in Lima’s historic center. This culinary event was attended by the Andean country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Espá, and the Metropolitan Mayor of Lima, Renzo Reggiardo, as well as representatives from the Spanish Embassy, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Peru, and the culinary sectors of both cities. Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida delivered a message to attendees highlighting the desire to recognize and strengthen the extraordinary relationship between the cuisines of the two capitals.
Gastronomy, Madrid’s hallmark
During her remarks at the recent gastronomic event, Maíllo highlighted Madrid’s cuisine as an expression of the city’s history, noting that “gastronomy is Madrid’s most vibrant hallmark.” The councilwoman in charge of the department noted that “behind every recipe lies the work of Madrid’s farmers, ranchers, and chefs, who take great care to reflect the history and landscapes of our region in every dish.”
Maíllo also underscored the importance of fusion in Madrid’s cuisine, which has evolved over the centuries through the contributions of those who arrived in the capital—a testament to the fact that “Madrid is the city where paths cross.” The council member in charge highlighted the region’s quality-certified products and the role that century-old taverns and restaurants have played in preserving the city’s culinary heritage. Madrid is home to 31 Michelin-starred restaurants, more than 18,300 hospitality establishments, and 18 food markets.
Madrid’s products and dishes take center stage at ‘DeLiMadrid’
The program of activities continues today with the exhibition “DeLiMadrid: A World of Flavors,” held in Lima’s historic center. The fair features areas dedicated to Madrid’s products and cuisine, an immersive audiovisual experience exploring the history and landscapes of both cities, an outdoor photo exhibition on the architecture and daily life of Lima and Madrid, as well as music and dance performances and cooking demonstrations. Ten restaurants will offer a special menu designed for the occasion throughout the weekend.
In addition to these activities, there will be a photography exhibition featuring images of the historical and architectural heritage of both cities, their traditional cuisine, their festivals and customs, and the ties of cooperation between Madrid and Lima.
Madrid, the gateway to Europe for Latin American travelers
between the two cities and identified Madrid as the natural gateway for Latin American travelers to the European continent, noting that “seven out of ten Peruvians who visit Spain pass through Madrid.”
Spain is the top European destination for Peruvian travelers, and Madrid accounts for 72.4% of their trips to Spain. In 2025, a total of 293,639 Peruvian tourists visited Spain—a 4.6% increase from the previous year—spending 501.4 million euros, with an average of 2,000 euros per trip and an average stay of eight days. Between January and June 2026, Madrid offered nearly 280,000 seats on flights to Peru, operated by four airlines—a 6.2% increase compared to the same period the previous year.
The councilwoman in charge of tourism promoted Madrid as a high-quality urban destination—the second most attractive in the world according to Euromonitor and the Best European Destination of 2026—emphasizing educational tourism, given that Peru is the seventh-largest source country for international students in the Spanish university system and Madrid is the region that hosts the most international students, with more than 39,000 enrolled.
Source: CITY OF MADRID TOURISM