Madrid Tapas, Taverns & History Tour with Botín
About this activity
Get early access into the world's oldest restaurant before it opens, plus two historic taverns, all in one guided Madrid evening.
Highlights
- Enter the world's oldest restaurant before it opens
- Sip vermouth where a famous novelist once lived
- Taste garlic shrimp where the dish was invented
- See a 300-year-old oven still cooking today
- Finish with dinner in a centuries-old dining room
Full description
A table at the world's oldest restaurant is normally booked out months in advance. This tour gets you inside before it opens: into the wine cellar and the wood-fired oven that's kept it running for more than 300 years, through war, famine, and a pandemic. Along the way, taste vermouth in a building once home to Spain's most celebrated novelist, and garlic shrimp at the tavern where the dish was invented. The evening finishes with a full sit-down dinner once the doors open to the public.
Stop At: Casa Alberto
Description: Begin at Casa Alberto, a centennial tavern set on the ground floor of the building where Miguel de Cervantes once lived. Over a glass of vermouth and a plate of Manchego cheese, your guide explains the ritual behind Madrid's favorite aperitif, and the history embedded in the walls around you.
Admission: Included
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Casa del Abuelo
Description: Walk to Casa del Abuelo, a family-run tavern serving gambas al ajillo, sizzling garlic shrimp invented as a way to stretch a poor family's ingredients and now one of Spain's most-loved dishes. Alongside it, taste the house wine, made at the family's own vineyard and served here for generations.
Admission: Included
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Botín (Early Access)
Description: Before Botín opens its doors to the public, your group heads inside, starting on the lower floor and into the wine cellar, once nearly lost to flooding and off-limits to anyone outside your group. Upstairs, look into the wood-fired oven that's roasted cochinillo without interruption for more than 300 years.
Admission: Included
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Botín (Dinner)
Description: The evening ends at the table, with a full dinner inside the restaurant that's run continuously the longest of anywhere in the world. Choose from the menu and taste what the same 300-year-old oven has been producing since Botín first opened its doors.
Admission: Included
Duration: 90 minutes
Included / Excluded
- 3 tasting stops with 5 tapas plus dessert and 4 drinks
- History walk through Madrid’s historic center
- VIP tour of oldest restaurant in the world: Botín
- Local English-speaking guide
- Hotel pick-up/Drop-off
- Tips/Gratuities
Cancellation policy
Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
Reviews
If you’re reading this, book it now! You’ll be one of the first on the boat and get the best spot before anyone else. Daniela (aka “Daniel”) treated us exceptionally well from start to finish. Her knowledge of the falls and the stories behind them was the perfect balance of informative and entertaining. She keeps you laughing throughout the tour and enjoys the experience right alongside you as if it were her first time seeing it. 10/10 — I would recommend this tour to anyone. As an added bonus, our group had only four people, which made the experience absolutely incredible and much more personal. Thanks again, Daniel! 😉
The tour was great and having priority on the boat was excellent
The tour was great and having priority on the boat was excellent