hotels4u.com madrid travel guide

7/31/2019 Hotels4u.com Madrid Travel Guide

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AT A GLANCE

As the capital of Spain, Madrid has everything youneed in a city. With incredible architecture, some ofthe best nightlife in Europe and fantastic shoppingfacilities, Madrid is the ideal destination for a citybreak.

WHEN TO GO

Summer in Madrid is often unbearably hot and overcrowded, and it can be cold inwinter. Visit between March and early June for a more comfortable stay or in theautumn when it is still warm until October.

Weather

Spring: Between March and early June, the days get longer and theevenings become warmer making it a good time to visit. Summer: With temperatures ranging from 30-40degrees between June and August, summer in Madridcan be scorching during the day and hot and sticky atnight. Autumn: After a sizzling summer, things begin tocalm down a bit in September but the weather is stillwarm and comfortable until at least mid-October. Winter: As the highest capital city in Europe, winter can be pretty chillywith snow a possibility, although expect clear blue skies during the day.

Image: Sunset by torephoto on Flickr

THINGS TO DO

With some of the best museums and art galleries in Europe, as well as a buzzingnight scene, there is always something to see and do in Madrid. Alternatively,anyone looking to escape the city for a day can choose from a range of day trips toquieter towns and cities.

Attractions

El Prado: As the most famous attraction in Madrid, this art museum is hometo the best single collection of Spanish art dating back to the 12th century.

Royal Palace of Madrid: Standing on the site of a 9th century fortress, thepalace is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family in Madrid and is

used for state ceremonies.
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Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: Check out the1,600 paintings in this impressive art collection thatwas once the second largest private collection in theworld. Temple of Debod: Discover this ancient Egyptian

temple that once stood in the Nile Valley of Egyptand was brought to Madrid in 1971.

Reina Sofia: Dedicated mainly to Spanish artincluding work by Picasso and Dali, thismuseum makes up the so-called Golden

Triangle of Art along with the Prado andThyssen-Bornemisza.

Madrid Teleferico: Fly above the streets andparks of the city over various famous

attractions such as the Royal Palace and the Temple of Debod in this cable

car at heights of up to 150 ft.

Las Ventas: With a capacity of 25,000, this famousbullring in the east of Madrid is regarded as the homeof bullfighting in Spain. The season runs from Marchuntil December. Santiago Bernabeu Stadium: Holding over 85,000fans, this is the official home of Real Madrid - one ofthe greatest football teams in the world. Tickets arerelatively easy to get hold of too. Madrid Cathedral: No trip to the city is complete without a visit to its largest

and most important church. Work began on the cathedral in 1883, but it wasonly completed in 1993.

NightlifeOften described as the city that never sleeps; Madrid is one of the liveliest citiesin the world. All tastes are catered for here, whether youre looking to grab a biteto eat, dance until the early hours of the morning or watch some traditionalSpanish flamenco dancing.

La Latina: Boasts a laid-back vibe - perfect for chilling out on a Sundayafternoon

Salamanca: Rub shoulders with the rich and famous in this swanky spot Puerta del Sol: Catch a flamenco show or drink in an Irish bar in the heart ofMadrid

Chueca: Discover sleek and fashionable bars in the main gay area of thecity Gran Va: Dance until the early hours in some of the citys most popularnightclubs

Malasaa: Mingle with the young, alternative and rocker crowd in bars,clubs and restaurants

Day Trips from MadridFor anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a day or two,

Madrid is the perfect base for daytrips to various towns and villages. With many
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tour operators and excursions available, its easy to explore anything fromhistorical town centres to ancient monuments.

Toledo: Home to over 100 ancient monuments, Toledo is aWorld Heritage Site with a medieval charm, boasting castles,cathedrals, bridges and museums. Travel Time: 1 hour

Aranjuez: Climb aboard a classic steam train from Madrid todiscover the sites of Aranjuez including the Royal Palace andthe Church of San Antonio. Travel Time: 50 minutes

Segovia: Visit the famous two-thousand year old Romanaqueduct and castle, as well as discovering various churches

and museums around every corner. Travel Time: 1 hour

El Escorial: Check out the monastery and gardens of El Escorialand experience fantastic views of the countryside from the topof the palace. Travel Time: 45 minutes

Images: Royal Palace of Madrid, by Ali Reza Zamli on Flickr / Temple of Debod by Felipe Gabaldn on Flickr /Madrid Teleferico by Daniel Lobo / Toledo by Jose Antonio Cotallo Lpez on Flickr / Church of San Antonio inAranjuez by Flickr user Fiore Silvestro Barbato / Segovia by Mariano Fotos on Flickr / San Lorenzo de El Escorial

by Jim McIntosh on Flickr

SHOPPING

As the style capital of Spain, Madrid has everything youneed for that glamorous shopping experience with ahost of fashionable shops and trendy boutiques.Alternatively, soak up the vibrant atmosphere at thelargest flea market in Europe and pick up a bargain ortwo.

Shopping Areas:

Calle Jorge Juan: a cool and hip area in the Salamanca district with variousexclusive boutiques Malasaa: fast turning into a new shopping hub with funky shops andvintage clothes

Gran Via & Sol: packed with famous mainstream brands and shoe shops Ortega y Gasset: a classy district where the rich and famous like to shop

Shopping Centres: El Corte Ingls: a huge department store selling all your favourite brandsand designer products Sexta Avenida: a lifestyle shopping centre with exclusive boutiques to thenorth-west of the city

Plaza Norte 2: one of the largest shopping centres in Madrid with anenchanting interior
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Markets: El Rastro: Europes largest flea market selling all sorts of items fromclothing to pottery. Stamp Market: trade stamps, banknotes and coins every Sunday morning atthe Plaza Mayor

Toledo Gate Market: find antiques, art and fashion on the site of arenovated fish market

Image: El Rastro by Tomas Fano

FOOD & DRINK

Spanish food is an eclectic mix of national and internationalcuisine with dishes from all over the world. Eating is a socialactivity here from large family gatherings at lunch to eatinglate in the evening. Discovering the delights of Spanish

cuisine is what makes visits to Madrid so special and whetheryou want to sit down for an evening meal of tapas, paella ormeat, or grab a snack in one of the many market stalls,

theres something for everyone here.

Popular Madrid Hotspots:Chueca: modern, cosmopolitan and international foodLa Latina: traditional Basque food and tasty Spanish cuisine such as paella andtapasMercado San Miguel: a casual market with fresh, artisan foods including freshly cutmeats and fishCastellana: charming Spanish restaurants where the locals eat lunch or dinner

CULTURE & ETIQUETTE

Experiencing the traditional Spanish culture is what visits to Madrid are all aboutso its great to get involved for a more authentic trip here. From learning a fewuseful phrases to advice on etiquette in the city, these tips should help you blendeasily into the Spanish way of life.

Images: Tapas by Helen T. on Flickr

Useful Phrases

Madrileos - what residents of Madrid are known as Good Morning - Buenos Dias Do you speak English? - Hablas Ingles? (formal) or Habla Ingles? (informal)

Dos and Donts

DO try and become familiar with the way the metrosystem works

DO try and speak the language as often as you can,even if its just buenos dias

DO shake hands with people you meet or kiss amember of the opposite sex on the cheek in moreinformal occasions
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DONT make a circle with the thumb and forefinger to signal youre ok asthis is considered vulgar

DONT show off expensive items such as jewellery when on the metro or outsightseeing

TippingThere are no rules for tipping in Spain and generally the Spanish tip very little. It ishowever usual to leave 5-10% for restaurant waiters if they provide a goodservice. Tipping hotel porters and toilet attendants is also useful practice, whiletaxi drivers should be given around 5%, or more for longer journeys.

Image: Madrid Metro Map, by ccchan19 on Flickr

TRANSPORT

Although Madrid is the largest city in Spain, getting around is fairly straight

forward. The city has an excellent transport system, with the metro (theunderground) being one of the biggest networks in the world and running allacross Madrid. Buses are also useful for getting around quickly or you can reallyget to know the city by exploring on foot.

Getting Around

The Metro de Madrid or the Madrid Metro is oneof the fastest growing in the world. Operating dailyfrom 6:05am to 2:00am; its the quickest way ofgetting around. With many stops throughout the city, Madrid hasan extensive bus network allowing you to get tomost destinations. There are many taxis around Madrid (white witha red diagonal stripe).

Madrid-Barajas Airport is the main international airport in the city and has Metrostations in Terminal 2 and Terminal 4.

Fare Information

Metrobs 10 Journey Ticket: Gives you 10 journeys on any metro line inzone A, as well as on buses from all bus stations.

Tourist Travel Pass (Abono Turstico): Get unlimited travel on all forms of

public transport within Madrid and its surrounding region, valid for 1, 2, 3, 5 or7 consecutive days. Taxi: Always make sure youre in a fully licensed taxi and get the driver toturn the meter on so you dont end up paying more than you should do.

For more information and up-to-date metro fares see the Madrid Metro website.

Images: Madrid Metro by Richard Winchell

HEALTH & SAFETY

British Embassy in Spain - Foreign and Commonwealth OfficeEmergency number: 112
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