Travel Tips | Madrid (Eng.)

TRAVEL TIPS

MADRID

OVERVIEW VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES WHERE COMPRAS TO STAY ONDE WHERE FICAR TO EAT ONDE SHOPPING COMER

OVERVIEW Madrid, the capital of Spain, located in the

The city has a temperate Mediterranean

heart of the Iberian Peninsula and right in the

climate. July and August are the hottest months

centre of the high inland Castillian plateau

of the year with average highs of around

646 meters above sea level, has a population

30°C (86°F). In July temperatures can often

of over three million. A cosmopolitan city, a

reach 40°C (104°F). Winters in Madrid are cold

business centre, headquarters for Spain’s public

due to its high altitude. Average highs in the

administration, the Spanish Parliament and

winter are around 10°C (50°F) with night-time

the home of the Spanish Royal Family, Madrid

temperatures often dropping to below freezing.

also plays a major role in both the country’s banking and industrial sectors. Most of its

Summer and winter are the driest seasons,

industry is located in the city’s southern fringe.

with most rainfall occurring in the autumn and

Madrid boasts intense cultural and artistic

spring. Generally it rains most in April and from

activity and a very lively nightlife.

October to December.

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TRANSPORT The compact nature of the centre of Madrid means it’s easy to get around. Thanks to an ever-expanding modern metro system, regular buses and cheap taxis, getting around Madrid

BUSES The city has an excellent network of bus routes serving it and its regions. Intercity & International links are maintained with modern coaches departing from the same stations. With the same cheap pricing system as the metro, this provides a great way to see the city. Buses are of course subject to the Madrid traffic

is very convenient.

conditions, so avoid the morning rush hour.

METRO

SIGHTSEEING BUSES

The ever expanding Madrid Metro system

Several companies operate Madrid sightseeing

is a cheap and flexible way to move quickly

trips with open-top buses. A day ticket allows

between the many different city attractions.

you to get on and off the bus as you like

Open 365 days a year from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., you can effectively have a night on the town before returning on the Metro.

TAXI

PALACIO REAL

In Madrid the taxis are registered to the city

The Palacio Real, built à la Versailles, was

and must display fares as well as surcharges.

constructed on the site of a former palace

Taxis are very easy to use and are available at

which was burnt down in 1734. Inside the

all hours of the day and night.

palace, there are many beautifully decorated rooms to visit which contain many important

TRAINS

pieces of furniture, paintings and tapestries.

Link Madrid with famous neighbouring cities

The palace is usually open every day of

like Toledo, Segovia and El Escorial.

the week except for the occasional official function. Although the King and Queen of Spain don’t live here, whenever foreign

ATTRACTIONS PLAZA MAYOR

diplomats are in town they usually have lunch or dinner at the palace. These things aren’t announced in advance so if you get to the palace and it’s closed, that’s probably the reason. Don’t miss the Royal Pharmacy and

This beautiful square in the middle of the

the Armor Room, which is across the courtyard

city was built in the 15th century. It was the

from the actual palace.

place of Inquisitorial autos-de-fé (the ritual condemnation of heretics, often followed by

PARQUE DEL RETIRO

burning at the stake), and now welcomes live

There are several parks in Madrid, but none

concerts and open-air markets and bazaars.

are as famous or beloved as El Retiro. This

Stroll around, and try a delicious sangria with

park covers about 350 acres, and offers a

tapas at one of its many bars and cafés.

wonderful mix of gardens, monuments, and

PRADO NATIONAL MUSEUM

arts. Originally, the park surrounded a royal palace, like the gardens at Versailles. However,

The Prado is one of the world’s most important

the palace no longer exists, and the park has

museums, with a collection that focuses on

now become one of the city’s most popular

pre-20th century pieces. It opened in 1814 and

attractions, both for tourists and locals.

is dedicated basically to painting and sculpture,

While it is pleasant to get lost in the park’s

but also has important collections of drawings,

several trails, most of the action is usually

prints, coins, medals, and religious and

concentrated around the large pond and

decorative art. It is home, for example, to more

monument to Alfonso XII.

than half of the works by Velasquez, as well as works by Francisco de Goya, Pablo Picasso and Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. Part of the Prado’s appeal is the fact that the building in which it is housed is itself a masterpiece.

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WHERE TO STAY

The smart Plaza de las Cortes, just above the Paseo del Prado, offers select and slightly quieter hotels as dos the Argüelles

In Madrid, hotel locations vary in character,

and Chamberí areas. These barrios are both

atmosphere, and distance from the

chic and traditional and are within walking

centre. Here’s a run down on some of

distance ot the city certre.

the neighbourhoods and the type of accommodation available in each of them.

Cosmopolitan Chamberí and Salamanca districts, above the Malasaña district and Retiro

If you like to be in the heart of the action, don’t

Park respectively, offer some of Madrid’s

mind a bit of noise, and appreciate real value

most exclusive hotels. Located farther away

for money, then look at the varied selection

from the central bustle, they are still only a

of hotels around the Gran Vía, Sol, and Plaza

15-minute Metro ride from the Puerta del Sol.

Mayor. You can’t get more central and you won’t find a wider variety of day and night amenities right on your doorstep.

DINING OUT

CALLOS A LA MADRILEÑA A hot pot of spicy beef tripe similar to those found in Turkey and the Balkans.

Many of Madrid’s cafes, bars and restaurants

COCIDO MADRILEÑO

are packed into the central area of the city and

Chickpea stew with meat and vegetables. The

are only short walks from each other. Simply

particularity of this stew is the way it is served.

stroll around and find your own personal

The soup, chickpeas and meats are served and

favourite. For the best atmosphere in Madrid

eaten separately.

restaurants, eat out late. The locals are still sitting down to dine well after three in the

OREJA DE CERDO

afternoon and ten at night. Lunchtime menus

Pigs ear, fried in garlic. This popular dish is

del dia (of the day) are usually great value.

widely eaten throughout central Spain.

Madrid is located in the central region of

SOPA DE AJO

Spain known as Castille, which has a particular

The garlic soup is a rich and oily soup which

culinary tradition within Spain, largely meat

generally includes paprika, grated Spanish ham,

based. Within this region, Madrid has a number

fried bread and a poached egg. A variation of

of “typical” dishes, some of the most well

this soup is known as Sopa Castellana. These

known are the following:

dishes are generally rather heavy particularly if visiting during the hot summer months.

SHOPPING Shopping in Madrid is a pleasure, with plenty of small, family-owned businesses and covered markets right in the centre of the city.

CITY CENTRE There are many shops around Puerta del Sol, mainly popular fashion houses and lots of the department stores which are found all over Spain. Clothes for all ages can be found here, from the best designer brands to cheap street wear. There are also lots of curious small shops to be investigated between the Plaza Mayor and Sol.

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CHUECA AND FUENCARRAL STREET AREA Calle Fuencarral is packed with trendy clothes shops. This part of the city used to be an abandoned and marginal area. However recently, it has quickly turned into the most avant-garde and modern part of Madrid. Old shops were taken over and turned into the coolest places in Madrid. Today it is an example of modernity and a paradise for entertainment where everything is possible. The streets are filled with restaurants, alternative cafés and shops.

FUENCARRAL MARKET (MERCADO DE FUENCARRAL) The market is one of the most daring and dynamic spaces in the city. Besides shops selling clothes, shoes, accessories and decorative items that will delight the most daring and fashion conscious shoppers, this modern market also offers avant-garde cultural activities on a continuous basis. Frequent disc jockey sessions are put on in the centre’s café, and there are also regular exhibitions in the art gallery, and cinema projections and theatre pieces in the old cinema room.

SALAMANCA Smarter shops are found in Barrio Salamanca nearer the Parque del Retiro. Calle Goya is one of Madrid’s main shopping streets. This street is home to literally hundreds of shops and is a showcase of luxury for those who can afford it. Boutiques, jewellers and elite shopping centres stand amongst the more commonplace high-street fashion outlets aimed at younger shoppers.

STREET MARKETS El Rastro: Every Sunday thousands of bargain hunters storm El Rastro mega-flea-market.

The market spans ten street blocks of the atmospheric La Latina neighbourhood in the

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

heart of the city with vendors selling everything from handmade bongo drums from Morocco to German beer mugs. The majority of El Rastro is focused on clothes, shoes and hand bags.

Bargaining is expected but not always successful, especially if your Spanish isn’t very good.

Cuesta de Moyano: You can spend an enjoyable Sunday morning browsing among the stall of old books or discounted new publications at this famous street market. The book market’s outdoor stalls remain open all year round. The stalls line one of the outside

34 91 112 092 080

or

COUNTRY CODE CITY CODE EMERGENCIES LOCAL POLICE FIRE STATION

085

SERVICE FOR FOREIGN TOURISTS

walls of the Botanical Garden.

915 488 537

CURRENCY

902 100 007

The euro, denoted by the symbol € (or EUR), is the official currency of Spain. The euro is divided into 100 cents sometimes called euro-cents. All circulating coins have a common side showing the value, and a map in the background. The coins also have a national side showing an image specifically chosen by the country that issued the coin. Euro coins from any European Union (EU) member state may be freely used in any nation which has adopted the euro.

There are €2, €1, 50-cent, 20-cent, 10-cent, 5-cent, 2-cent, and 1-cent coins.

The euro banknotes have common designs on both sides and are issued in €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10, €5 notes.

AIRPORT ADOLFO SUÁREZ MADRID-BARAJAS

914 068 810