Madrid Essentials

Madrid Essentials

Currency Euro Flight Time UK 2 Hour 40 mins Time Zone GMT = +1 hour Language Spanish Voltage 220 V (European two-pin plugs) 


Tourist Attractions

The gilded rooms of The Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real) are open all year round. As well as on Madrid Day (May 2), the Palace closes twice a week for official functions. Other attractions include the Prado, Reina Sofia and the Thyssen Museum, and Retiro Park. 
 Good morning Buenos días I'm sorry Lo siento Good afternoon Buenas tardes I don't speak Spanish No hablo español Good-bye Adiós Please speak more slowly Hable más despacio, por favor Yes Sí Where is...? Dónde está...? No No Train Station la estación de ferrocarril Please Por favor Airport aeropuerto Thank you Gracias Beer la cerveza Currency exchange cambio The bill, please La cuenta, por favor

Opening Hours

Shops are generally open Monday to Friday between the hours of 9.30 and 1.30pm, and then 5pm to 8pm. However, during the summer months many will stay open later in the evening. Department stores and supermarkets stay open all day (including Saturday) and are allowed to open on the first Sunday of every month. Banks open earlier, around 8.30am, but close for the day at 2pm.

Food & Drink

Madrid is famed for its stews and hotpots. Regional dishes include cocido madrileño (chickpea stew), callos a la madrileña, (tripe dish) and the delicious sopa de ajo (garlic soup). Torrijas (similar to our bread and butter pudding) is a firm favourite in springtime around Holy Week. Spaniards are a nation of meat eaters, but the people of Madrid are also big fish lovers and, surprisingly for an area that is 250 miles from the sea, the city boasts the second largest fish market in the world, second only to Tokyo. With such an incredibly wide variety of fish and seafood, Madrid has received the paradoxical nickname “the best port in Spain”.

Tipping & Etiquette

Service is generally not included in your bill, so in cafés, bars and taxis, just round up the total to the next Euro. In a good restaurant 5% is acceptable, 15% is generous.

Useful Numbers


• Calling the UK from Madrid: 00+ 44 + area code minus the zero + number
• Calling Madrid from the UK: 00 + 34 +area code + number
• Fire: 112, 080, or 085
• Medical Emergencies: 112 or 061.
• Police: 112 or 091 (National), 092 (Municipal) 062 (Local)

Disabled Access

The city is not yet fully prepared for disabled access, however things are improving. The metro map is available from metro stations and tourist information offices and shows which stations have lifts and disabled access. Eurotaxi is a specialist taxi company that caters for disabled access in Madrid. Tel: (0034) 91 547 8500 / (0034) 91 547 8200 / (0034) 91 547 8600.

Madrid Embassies


• British Embassy: C/ Fernando el Santo, 16, 28010 Madrid, Spain. 
Tel: 91 700 82 00 / 91 319 02 00, fax: 91 700 82 72
• Spanish Embassy: 39 Chesham Place, London SW1X 8SB. 
Tel. +44 (0) 20 7235 5555; fax: 020 7259 5392
• Lost property office: 91 480 46 13. Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm.


Weather

Madrid experiences a wonderfully sunny climate and very low rainfall, with hot dry summers. From April onwards the city is lovely and warm, with both spring and autumn being excellent times for sightseeing, thanks to very comfortable conditions for walking around and sitting in the open-air cafes. Summers see highs of around 30C and up to 10 hours of sunshine with virtually no rain, and the city's altitude ensures that it escapes the high humidity seen in Seville and Barcelona. Winters are mild, with temperatures up to 7C, and the city still sees clear bright skies in the low season.