Travel Guide Madrid Majestic architecture and royal boulevards
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Travel Guide
Madrid
Majestic architecture and royal boulevards
02 Quick view 05 Getting around Madrid 10 Calendar of events
02 Spain 06 Top 10 sights 11 Hotels
04 Travel etiquette 08 Shopping in Madrid
04 Health 08 Restaurants
05 Phone calls & Internet 09 Nightlife
© thinkstock/iStock
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Quick view
Madrid: Majestic architecture and royal boulevards
One of Europe’s largest – and loftiest capitals – Madrid is often overlooked in
favour of Spain’s coastal cities and the former Moorish strongholds of Andalucia.
But in many ways, all things still point towards the grand metropolis, which remains
a cultural, artistic and economic hub. Once the centre of an empire that gripped the
Iberian Peninsula and spread in conquest through the Americas, Madrid is full of
grandiose architecture befitting the 16th and 17th centuries’ preeminent global
power.
Things still revolve around the wide regal boulevards leading to Plaza Mayor and
the labyrinthine districts surrounding it such as La Latína and Chueca. But efforts to
revitalise areas beyond the centre have meant that several exciting barrios on the
fringes are now worthy of attention too.
Spain
General Information
Country overview
Spain is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. Endless beaches,
brilliant sunshine and azure waters draw beach lovers to the Mediterranean coast,
and the Balearic and Canary Islands. But visitors also flock to see the historical
architecture of cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Leon, Seville and
Segovia.
If you want to experience the real Spain, don’t go to bed too early. In these parts,
people stroll the city squares and dine out late into the night.
Geography
Spain accounts for roughly four-fifths of the Iberian Peninsula, with Portugal,
Andorra and Gibraltar occupying the remainder. In the northeast, the Pyrenees
form a natural frontier to France. The state territory also encompasses the Balearic
Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera) located southeast of Barcelona,
in the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa. Ceuta,
Chafarinas, Melilla and Ladu are tiny Spanish exclaves in North Africa, relics of the
former Spanish Empire.
Spain is a mountainous country. The Pyrenees extend for 400 kilometers from the
Basque Country in the northwest to the Mediterranean. Some peaks rise more than
3000 meters above sea level; the highest elevation here is the Pico de Aneto at
3404 meters above sea level. The country’s interior consists of a vast plateau, the
Meseta, which is intersected by a number of mountain ranges.
In the north and northwest, the Meseta is bordered by the Cantabrian Mountains
and the Iberian Mountains, and in the South by the Sierra Morena, beyond which
lies the Guadalquivir Valley. Galicia’s mountainous landscape runs along the
jagged Atlantic coast. The extreme south is also mountainous; the Sierra Nevada
southeast of Granada belongs to the Betic Cordilleras, which run parallel to the
Mediterranean and include the highest mountain on the Spanish mainland, the
Mulhacén (3481 meters above sea level). The highest elevation on Spanish
territory is the Pico del Teide (3718 meters above sea level) on Tenerife.
Spain has just under 5000 kilometers of coastline. The Mediterranean coast
extends from the French border to the Rock of Gibraltar. The Strait of Gibraltar
connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and divides Spain from
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North Africa.
General Information
Key facts
Population: 46.33 million (2017)
Capital: Madrid.
Language
The official language is Spanish (Castellano, Castilian). In the Autonomous
Communities of the Basque region, Galicia, Catalonia, Valencia, Navarra and the
Balearic Islands, the relevant regional languages are also used as second official
languages according to the Statutes of Autonomy. In tourist areas, English and
German are commonly spoken foreign languages.
Electricity
220 V, 50 Hz (sometimes 110/125 V in older buildings in smaller places)
Currency
1 euro = 100 cents
Currency sign/abbreviation: €, EUR (ISO code). Banknotes are available in the
values 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, coins, in the nominal values 1 and 2
euros, as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.
Public holidays
Listed below are the public holidays for the period January 2020 to December
2021.
Please note
a) several regional public holidays also exist.
b) it is usual for public holidays, which fall on a Sunday, to be substituted by work-
free days on subsequent weekdays.
* not in all parts of the country
2020
Año Nuevo (New Year’s): 1 January 2020
Epifanía (Epiphany): 6 January 2020
Día de San José (St. Joseph’s Day): 19 March 2020*
Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 9 April 2020*
Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 10 April 2020
Domingo de Resurrección (Easter Sunday): 12 April 2020
Día del Trabajo (Labor Day): 1 May 2020
Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption Day): 15 August 2020
Fiesta Nacional de España (Spanish National Day): 12 October 2020
Fiesta de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day): 1 and 2 November 2020*
Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day): 6 December 2020
La Inmaculada (Feast of the Immaculate Conception): 8 December 2020
Navidad (Christmas): 25 December 2020
2021
Año Nuevo (New Year’s): 1 January 2021
Epifanía (Epiphany): 6 January 2021
Día de San José (St. Joseph’s Day): 19 March 2021*
Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 1 April 2021*
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Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 2 April 2021
Domingo de Resurrección (Easter Sunday): 4 April 2021
Día del Trabajo (Labor Day): 1 May 2021
Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption Day): 15 August 2021
Fiesta Nacional de España (Spanish National Day): 12 October 2021
Fiesta de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day): 1 and 2 November 2021*
Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day): 6 December 2021
La Inmaculada (Feast of the Immaculate Conception): 8 December 2021
Navidad (Christmas): 25 December 2021
All information subject to change.
Travel etiquette
How to fit in
Social Conventions
It is polite in Spain to shake hands in greeting. The usual courtesies should be
observed. If you are invited to someone’s home, your host will appreciate a small
gift. Flowers are given only on special occasions.
Clothing
Casual dress is appropriate almost everywhere, although some hotels and
restaurants require men to wear a jacket and tie; evening dress is only required for
particularly formal occasions. Swimwear belongs without exception on the beach.
Smoking
A smoking ban applies in all public institutions, on public transportation, in
telephone booths and in rooms containing ATMs, as well as in children’s
playgrounds and schoolyards. The smoking ban also applies to all bars, cafés and
restaurants. Smoking areas inside bars and restaurants are no longer permitted.
Tipping
Tips are generally included in hotel and restaurant bills. It is nevertheless usual to
leave a small tip for the service staff. Porters receive a small sum per item of
luggage. The usual amount tipped in restaurants is between 10 and 15 percent.
When the waiter brings your change, you leave some as the tip. It is considered
extremely rude, however, to leave two- or five-cent pieces. When tipping your taxi
driver, simply round up the fare.
Health
Health
Emergency telephone number: 112
Lyme disease, TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) and leishmaniosis are all diseases
which are passed on by ticks and mosquitoes and also occur in Spain. Clothing
that covers the skin and insect repellents provide protection.
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur all over Spain. A hepatitis A vaccination is
generally recommended. Visitors planning an extended stay and close contact
with the local population, and generally with children and young people, should
also have a hepatitis B vaccination.
Measles and whooping cough occur in Spain. Before traveling to Spain, visitors
should definitely check whether their vaccinations are up to date and if necessary,
get a booster shot.
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Epidemic outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis occur in Spain. Visitors should
seek protection by getting a vaccination and avoiding large crowds. Children and
young people, in particular, should be vaccinated. According to the latest
recommendations, the vaccination applies as required travel vaccination for
extended stays for certain groups of people (teenagers, school and university
students). Visitors should consult their physician regarding the need for
vaccination in the light of recommendations in the country of destination.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Eberhard, Ulrich
c/Joaquin Montes Jovellar 4
28002 Madrid
Spain
Tel. +34-91-564-3887
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it
bear the cost of any treatment.
Phone calls & Internet
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code: +34
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway
and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without
incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for
phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do
apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on
data packages.
For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers
using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using
public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all
passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or
security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Getting around Madrid
Getting around
Public Transport
The Madrid metro is as expansive as you’d expect – more than 200 stations and
counting – with a modern, efficient network, and relatively cheap. It runs until after
1am. The buses are frequent and wide-reaching, too (www.ctm-madrid.es). A
Madrid Tourist Pass covers local trains, buses and the metro and lasts for a week
(tel: 902 444 403; www.metromadrid.es).
Taxis
Hailing a taxi isn’t too tricky in Madrid, and they’re not too pricey. If you see a green
light atop the vehicle, it’s free. To book ahead, try Teletaxi (tel: 91 371
2131; www.tele-taxi.es).
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Top 10 sights
Top 10 sights in Madrid
Museo Nacional del Prado
With a comprehensive collection of European art from the Middle Ages through to
the 19th century, Prado is regarded as the most important museum in Spain.
Ruiz de Alarcón 23 Opening times:
28014 Madrid Mon-Sat 1000-2000
Spain Sun 1000-1900
Tel: 91 330 2800
www.museodelprado.es
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
The sum of several Barons of the name Thyssen, this collection includes
masterpieces by Monet, Picasso and Carvaggio. Visiting exhibitions tend to be top
quality.
Paseo del Prado 8 Opening times:
28014 Madrid Mon 1200-1600
Spain Tue-Sun 1000-1900
Tel: 902 760 511
www.museothyssen.org
Retiro Park
Once the royal gardens, this huge immaculate park in the centre of Madrid is a
place for picnics and romantic strolls. Don’t miss the gorgeous Galápagos fountain.
Plaza de Independencia Opening times:
Madrid Daily 0600-2200
Spain
Museo Reina Sofia
The national museum for 20th-century art, the bold and compelling collection is
dedicated to Spanish artists such as Picasso and Salvador Dalí.
Santa Isabel 52 Opening times:
28012 Madrid Wed-Mon 1000-2100
Spain Sun 1000-1430
Tel: 91 774 1000
www.museoreinasofia.es
Royal Palace
Built in the 18th century, the spectacular palace is full of art, tapestries and
antiques. The Royal Armoury and Puerta del Moro gardens are notable treats.
Calle Bailén Opening times:
28071 Madrid Daily 1000-2000
Spain
Tel: 91 454 8700 www.patrimonionacional.es
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Plaza Mayor
The central square and nearby Puerta del Sol give a taste of what Imperial Spain
was like at its height of pomp. The surrounding areas are full of tapas bars and
outdoor cafés.
Plaza Mayor
Madrid
Spain
Museo Picasso
Based on an eclectic range of items from ink sketches to ceramics, this collection
was given by Picasso to his barber, Eugenio Arias, and provides some insights
into their long friendship.
Plaza de Picasso 1, Buitrago del Opening times:
Lozoya Tue-Fri 1100-1345 and 1600-1800
28730 Madrid Sat 1000-1400 and 1600-1900
Spain Sun 1000-1400
Tel: 91 868 0056
www.madrid.org/museo_picasso
Convento de las Descalzas Reales
Emperor Charles V’s daughter opened this convent in the 16th century. It features
the masterful tapestry by Rubens, ‘Triumph of the Eucharist’.
Plaza de las Descalzas Opening times:
28013 Madrid Tues-Thurs and Sat 1030-1230 and 3-
Spain 5:45pm
Tel: 91 454 8800 Fri 1030-1230
Sun 1100-1315
www.patrimonionacional.es/Home/Mon
asterios-y-...
Museo del Romanticismo
An impressive range of artefacts and paintings can be found here, including
Alenza and Goya, inside a quaint 19th-century townhouse setting.
Calle San Mateo 13 Opening times:
28004 Madrid Tue-Sat 0930-2030
Spain Sun 1000-1500
Tel: 91 448 1045
museoromanticismo.mcu.es
Museo Cerralbo
Founded by the Marquès de Cerralbo in the late 19th century, this fascinating
museum house contains paintings, archaeological finds and opulent furnishings.
Calle Ventura Rodríguez 17 Opening times:
28008 Madrid Tue-Sat 0930-1500
Spain Thu 1700-2000
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Tel: 91 547 3646 Sun 1000-1500
museocerralbo.mcu.es
Shopping in Madrid
Shopping in Madrid
Key Areas
Calle Serrano has lots of high-street shops and designer labels, while there are
plenty of fashion boutiques on nearby streets such as Calle Goya. For vintage
clothes and hipster destinations, head to Malasaña and Triball.
Markets
The only iron-structured market surviving today, San Miguel is Madrid’s most
famous food market situated in the historical centre, with locally grown produce.
Sunday’s Rastro Market on Ribera de Curtidores is a must, with dozens of stalls
sprawling into the surrounding streets.
Shopping Centres
Spain’s leading chain of department stores, Corte Inglés has its flagship store in
Madrid and is one of the biggest malls in Europe.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Madrid
Although the culinary zeitgeist is currently with the Basque country and Catalonia,
Madrid remains a gastro pioneer.The proud capital offers the finest dining as well
as both contemporary and classic takes on the south’s beer-and-tapas culture.
Casa Lucas
The originator of cocina creativa (creative cooking), Casa Lucas is still going
strong after nearly two decades.
Cava Baja 30 Price: Expensive
28005 Madrid
Spain
Olé Lola
The ostentatious and playful interior of this stylish restaurant is matched by the
inventive food, bringing tapas to the 21st century.
Calle San Mateo 28 Price: Expensive
28004 Madrid
Spain
Tempranillo
With a wide selection of superb Spanish wines and great tapas, this is a popular
tavern-style restaurant.
Cava Baja 38, La Latina Price: Moderate
28005 Madrid
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Spain
Casa Ricardo
Despite looking rather fancy, this 70-year-old restaurant offers homely cooking and
traditional dishes such as bull’s tail.
Calle Fernando el Católico 31 Price: Moderate
28015 Madrid
Spain
La Sanabresa
There aren’t so many casas de comida (traditional eateries) left in Madrid these
days. This one still offers a delicious set menu of soup, meat course and a drink.
Calle Amor de Dios 12 Price: Cheap
28014 Madrid
Spain
Nightlife
Nightlife in Madrid
As with elsewhere in Spain, things don’t get going until late in the night – after
11pm and often much later. The nightlife can seema tad more elegant than in other
cities, but the outdoor tapas bars in hip barrios cater to those after a few beers and
a chat.
Casa Patas
Frequented by tourists and locals alike, this tavern-style venue is much loved for its
traditional flamenco.
Calle de los Cañizares 10
28012 Madrid
Spain
Café Central
The elder statesman of Madrid’s live music venues, Café Central has offered jazz
and rock performances since 1982.
Plaza del Ángel 10
28012 Madrid
Spain
1862 Dry Bar
Serving perhaps the best cocktails in Madrid, 1862 is an essential stop in the cool
Triball area.
Calle Pez 27
28004 Madrid
Spain
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Tipos Infames
In the once grim but newly hip Malasaña barrio, this part-bookshop part-wine bar
has proved a real hit.
San Joaquín 3
28004 Madrid
Spain
Casa Labra
For a brief history lesson, visit the ancient tavern where Pablo Iglesias founded the
Socialist Party in 1879.
Calle Tetuán 12
28013 Madrid
Spain
Calendar of events
Calendar of events
Reyes Magos (Epiphany)
Marked by a procession of the 'the kings' with commercial floats, watched by
thousands of children and their parents as they line up along Calle Alcalá to watch
the annual cabalgata (parade). There are lots of elaborate floats and the riders
traditionally throw sweets to the children. The occasion ends with a big family
dinner, and the giving of presents the following day.
January 6, 2020
Venue: City centre
Madrid Carnival
The week before Lent sees the Madrid version of the traditional Mardi Gras
Carnival, featuring parades, extravagant costume parties and flamboyant masks.
The highlight is a tradition called 'The Burial of the Sardine', in which participants,
dressed in black cloaks and hats, proceed through the streets with a coffin
containing an effigy of a dead sardine.
February 21 - 26, 2020
Venue: Various streets in central Madrid
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Solemn religious processions and services to mark Holy Week, the week leading
up to Easter Sunday.
April 5 - 11, 2020
Venue: Throughout the city
Madrid Marathon
The annual Madrid Marathon is raced on an urban course which usually includes
Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Palacio Real - all good viewing points from where
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to watch the day's event. The event attracts approximately 13,000 runners each
year from about 60 different countries.
April 26, 2020
Venue: Streets of Madrid
Madrid Pride
The four day festival is arguably one of the best in the world and culminates in a
parade through the Retiro, Sol and Casa de Campo districts, with other events
concentrated in the Chueca district.
June 27 - July 5, 2020
Venue: Various venues
Festival Flamenco
One of the nation’s best Flamenco dancing competitions, drawing competitors from
all over the world. It is usually accompanied by classical guitar concerts. Taking
place at some of Madrid's top venues, such as La Casa Encendida and the Teatro
Canal de la Comunidad de Madrid, the Caja Madrid Flamenco Festival brings you
the best in flamenco excitement and beauty.
June 2020
Venue: Various venues
Nochevieja (New Year's Eve)
Crowds gather to eat grapes and drink champagne. Much of the action is centred
on Puerta del Sol as revellers wait for the the clock on the Real Casa de Correos
building to strike midnight.
December 31, 2020
Venue: Puerta del Sol
Hotels
Hotels in Madrid
From elegant converted houses to massive palatial properties, Madrid offers an
abundance of hotel options.An essential stopping point for young travellers, the
city also has plenty of lower-priced accommodation.
Urban
With an open-air rooftop pool – ideal for the sizzling summer heat – and 96 stylish
rooms, Urban is the decadent choice.
Carrera de San Jerónimo 34 Category: Expensive
28014 Madrid
Spain
Room Mate Alicia
This charming 34-room hotel was designed by Pascua Ortega and features
impressive light installations.
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Calle Prado 2 Category: Expensive
28014 Madrid
Spain
Only You
A 19th-century palace on the outside, this curious city hotel is hip and
contemporary on the inside.
Calle Barquillo 21 Category: Moderate
28004 Madrid
Spain
Pizarro
First built in 1850, this small tidy bed and breakfast ensures that guests feel at
home.
Calle Pizarro 14 Category: Cheap
28004 Madrid
Spain
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