Marvellous Madrid

Madrid is a unique melting pot of traditions and the modern life of a dynamic capital city. Madrid's motto: "live and let live" can be experienced anywhere day and night. It’s mixture of tradition, culture, culinary specialties and wild nightlife is not only worth a visit but the perfect place to get to know and experience Spanish lifestyle. Madrid became Spain's capital simply by virtue of its geographical position at the centre of Iberia. Located on the river Manzanares, which flows right through the centre of the country and through the Community of Madrid. Madrid lies in the heart of the peninsula and right in the center of the Castillian plain 646 meters above sea level, has a population of over three million. A cosmopolitan city, a business centre, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family, Madrid also plays a major role in both the banking and industrial sectors. Most of its industry is located in the Southern fringe of the city, where important textile, food and metal working factories are clustered. Madrid is characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity. Madrid’s calling cards are many: astonishing art galleries, relentless nightlife, its transformation into Spain’s premier style city, an exceptional live music scene, a feast of fine restaurants and tapas bars, and a population that’s mastered the art of living the good life. The citizens of Madrid, refer to themselves as Madrileños.

 

Some General Info

Country : Spain

Official Language : Spanish

Religion : Roman Catholicism

Currency : Euro

Time Zone : +1 hour GMT

Temperature : In terms of weather, the Spanish capital is sunny and dry overall. However, it is a climate that has some rather distinct extremes, such as July being really scorching and August being absolutely chilly, while the short winter that runs between December and February is a surprise to most foreigners. The most pleasant warm weather falls between May and mid July when average temperatures are between 20 and 32°C. It does rain (typically in April and November).

Sightseeing : There are many reasons to visit Madrid. One of this is the vivacity of the city since it is always vibrant, energetic and aptly bustling with activity. From the Main Square, the Plaza de Espana, Chuec, Puerta del Sol, to the famous Bernabeu stadium, the Prado museum, the Thyssen Bornemisza, the Reina Sofia Museum, there is lots to see and do for any visitor to the city.

 

Getting There

Barajas Airport ( MAD )

The major Airport in Madrid, Spain, is the Madrid Airport, commonly known as Barajas, and is the major gateway to the City of Madrid. This international airport is the busiest and largest in the country and was ranked the eleventh busiest globally and fourth in Europe in 2008. Madrid’s Barajas Airport lies 12 km northeast of the city and every year more than 52 million passengers pass through here. Madrid is a very major airport and is serviced by several airlines. It is the home base for Iberia and one of the largest airports in Europe. There are four terminals at the airport. The airport’s architecturally stunning Terminal 4 (T4) deals mainly with flights of Iberia and its partners ( e.g.  British Airways, American Airlines and Aer Lingus), while other intercontinental or non-Schengen European flights leave from T1. Although all airlines conduct check-in at the airport’s departure areas, some also allow check-in at the Nuevos Ministerios metro stop and transport interchange in Madrid itself – ask your airline. The service allows you to check your luggage in early, take the metro to the airport unburdened and avoid queues at the airport itself. The Barajas has some other crucial facilities such as Money and Communications. These include a couple bureaux de change, two banks, a post office and many ATMs. In all the terminals you are bound to find a 24-hour operating bank. Wireless Internet access can be found in many of the VIP restaurants, lounges and other parts of all four terminals. With more than 30 bars, cafes and restaurants, eating and drinking at the airport is well catered for. Shopping can be done at the more than 100 shops, duty free inclusive, found across the Airport. For those searching for business and conference facilities, there are about five meeting rooms that are fully equipped and accessible in the second terminal as well as VIP lounges in basically all the terminals. Madrid Airport is constructed in such a way that every wheelchair-disabled user can access and use the airport, while wheelchairs can be provided by airlines upon request. Reserved car parking spaces are also available for the disabled. You can report luggage loss in many offices in Terminal 4 and 1. Other facilities such as nurseries are available in terminals 4 and 2, first aid stops in 4 and 2, pharmacies in 1, 4 and 2 as well as a number of tour operators and travel agencies. There is a chapel and playground at the Airport.

Address: Madrid Barajas Airport 28042 Madrid Spain. Tel: +34 (0) 913 936 000 and 902 404 704.

Website: www.aena.es 

 

Tourist Information

The city's tourist information service has several offices in Madrid and they can supply you with a variety of leaflets, maps and brochures in English, with detailed information about tourist attractions and the various regions in Madrid. The main Municipal Tourist Office can be found at the Plaza Mayor 3 (tel: +34 91 588 1636) and other regional offices are dotted around the city - there is even tourist information available at the Barajas Airport and Chamartín Station.

The T1 tourist office is on the ground floor in the T1 area. Tel:+34 (0) 91 305 86 56.  Open from 8am - 8pm Mon-Sat and  9am - 2pm Sun)

The T4 tourist office is in the arrivals hall. Tel: +34 (0) 91 902 100 007. Open from 8am - 8pm Mon-Sat and 9am - 2pm Sun).

Both are run by the Comunidad de Madrid regional government. The Ayuntamiento (town hall) also runs an information booth (9.30am - 8.30pm) in T4.

 

Travel Tips

1. The biggest threat in Madrid is by bag snatchers and pickpockets. Thieves are very skilled, so be particularly careful with hand baggage. Wear a bag or camera across your body, or even use a concealed money belt. Also beware of  women asking for alms, especially if they have children with them. The children are meant to distract, while the women pick your pockets. Be on your guard and do not wear your wallet in your back pockets. Women should use purses with straps that go across their chest, with the zippers closed. You also may find pickpockets at American fast food franchises.

2. In case you plan on driving in Madrid, be alert to other drivers. Spanish drivers are quite aggressive drivers and usually don’t signal. They also regularly cut you up on the roads, overtake on the inside, treat the outside lane within the city as a fast lane and they go through the red lights. It takes time to get used to their driving habits. Avoid parking in the city centre or in busy areas as other vehicles have a tendency to double park and you can get stuck for some time until the driver of the double parked car returns. It may be advisable to either use public transport or a car park. If you have a rental car be aware that any damage may be charged to your account.

3. A lot of sightseeing may bring women to churches. Be conservative. Do not wear any clothes you would be ashamed to wear in your own church on Sunday. Wear leather shoes. Do not wear stiletto heels because many sidewalks may not be safe with these heels, and you do not want to ruin your vacation having an accident. It is best to use low heels, especially since you will walk a lot. Do not wear shorts or jeans. Do not wear anything flashy. Be discreet and you will fit in with the natives.

4. Change those eating habits. Lunch in Madrid happens around 14.00-15.00, and don't expect to dine before 21.00. Nights out start late too, with bars getting full at around 23.00.