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
Lara was an excellent tour guide and the whole experience was worth the price.
Amazing Tour!!
A highly recommended experience.