Practical information about Madrid / Información práctica sobre Madrid

Location: Madrid is the seat of both the Royal Family and the Government. Also centred here are the legislative (Senate and Lower House) and judicial authorities. Madrid is also an Autonomous Community. The city of Madrid is located at almost the exact geographical centre of the Iberian Peninsula, at a latitude of 40 degrees 25 minutes north, 3 degrees 42 minutes west. It will come as a surprise to many of our readers to learn that Madrid is situated further west than London, Liverpool or Edimburgh.The average annual temperature in the shade is 13ºC (55ºF). In the colder seasons, the minimum temperatures often fall below freezing point, although in the city itself it rarely snows. During the peak summer months the temperature can easily reach 40ºC (104ºF), but this is made slightly more bearable by the low humidity levels. Having said all this, Madrid's climate is one of the healthiest in Europe because of its privileged position, at a short distance from the Somosierra (to the north and north-east), Guadarrama (north-east) and Toledo (south and east) mountain ranges. Madrid receives the pure mountain air from these Sierras, some of which, like Guadarrama, offer almost year-round winters sports centres.

Localización: Madrid es capital de España y residencia de la Familia Real y el Gobierno central de España. Su provincia es además Comunidad Autónoma. Está situada prácticamente en el centro geográfico de la Península Ibérica a una latitud de 40 grados 25 minutos norte y 3 grados y 42 minutos oeste, estando situada más al este que Londres, Liverpool o Edimburgo. La temperatura media anual es de unos 13ºC. En invierno, la temperatura puede llegar a bajar de 0ºC ocasionalmente aunque raramente llega a nevar. En verano pueden alcanzar los 40ºC aunque los bajos niveles de humedad suavizan tales temperaturas. El clima de Madrid es uno de los más saluables de Europa a causa de su posición privilegiada, a corta distancia de la Sierra de Somosierra (norte, noreste), Guadarrama (noreste) y Montes de Toledo (sur y este). Madrid recibe los aires puros de las sierras, algunas de ellas como la de Guadarrama ofrecen deportes de invierno casi durante todo el año.

Money : As from 1st January 1999, the national currency of Spain is the euro, and euro coins and notes actually came into circulation on 1st January 2002. Coins come in denominations of 1 and 2 euros and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 euro cents. Notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. Euros issued in other European countries are valid in Spain, and vice versa. It is important to be aware of the way numbers are written in Spain: decimals come after a comma (e.g. 60,35 euros = 60 euros and 35 cents) and thousands come before a point (e.g. año 2.002 = the year two thousand and two)
Traveller's cheques are hardly accepted at all, but there are no problems with credit cards in shops, restaurants, gas or petrol stations and hotels. ATM's (Automatic Teller Machines or cash dispensers) are very common (more than 45,000 in Spain!). Exchange facilities are available at Barajas airport, most banks and also along central streets like Gran Vía. Many visitors to Spain have commented on the advantage of bringing debit cards rather than credit cards, since the exchange rate is generally mcuh better and commissions lower.
There are two different tax rates in Spain - 7% and 16%. You will pay 7% tax on your hotel and restaurant bills, as well as other items considered "essential". This tax is not refundable.
Most physical items purchased in shops will be taxed at the 16% rate. If you are from outside the European Union, and have spent more than 90.15 euros in a participating establishment, this tax can be reclaimed. Make sure you obtain a proper invoice ("una factura"), to be stamped by the Customs Officer at the airport when leaving the country. The banks at the airport should then be able to refund the tax specified on this stamped invoice. Check out other tax refund possibilities here.Tourists are allowed to take up to 6000 euros out of the country - anything above this amount must be declared. At almost all restaurants, service is included, but it is common practice to leave a 5-10% tip, as it is with taxi drivers (depending on how you liked the driving!). Cinemas and theatres will have staff show you to your seat - here 50 cents is the norm. Tipping is not obligatory anywhere, but much less in bars or cafeterias. However, if you leave a small tip it shows your appreciation of the service - a good rule of thumb here is 10 to 15 cents per round of drinks. Never leave tips in pubs or discotheques.
Most shops open between 09.30 and 13.30h in the morning and 17.00 to 20.00h in the afternoon on weekdays. During the summer months, many establishments will stay open much later in the evening. On Saturday opening hours are restricted to the morning shift and Sunday is literally the day of rest.Larger establishments, department stores and supermarkets will stay open all day, Saturday included, and are allowed to open on the first Sunday of every month. Banks open a little earlier in the morning, around 08.30h, but close for the day at 14.00h. Some branches open on Thursday evening (e.g. Caja Madrid) or Saturday morning. Each bank normally has a small plaque outside its offices indicating any special opening hours.

Dinero: El Euro es la moneda oficial de España. Cualquier divisa Euro de cualquier país de la Unión Europea es aceptado. Los cheques de viaje no están muy extendidos aunque sí las tarjetas de crédito y débito, estas últimas más recomendables a la hora de sacar dinero en los cajeros automáticos. En todas las compras se aplica el Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido (IVA) siendo la mayoría del 7% para bienes esenciales y del 16% paa el resto. Si Vd. no es ciudadano de la Unión Europea y gasta más de 90,15 Euros puede solicitar la devolución del IVA pagado, pida para ello las facturas. Respecto a las propinas, se suele dejar entre un 5-10% en bares, restaurantes y taxis aunque no es obligatorio y siempre que quede satisfecho con el servicio prestado. No se dan propinas en pubs y discotecas. las tiendas abren entre las 9,30 y 13,30 por la mañana y de 17,00 a 20,00 por las tardes. en verano se amplia el horario. Los bancos sólo abren por las mañanas (sábado incluido) y las cajas de ahorro los jueves por la tarde.


Clothes: In the summer months (June, July & August), bring light cottons, T-shirts or other loose tops and some kind of cap for your head - anything that provides protection from those punishing sun rays. During the winter months in central Spain, a warm overcoat and gloves will be needed to protect you from sometimes fierce cold and winds. Otherwise, no special recommendations are necessary - just check the average temperatures for the time of year you're going to be here and be yourself.
Madrid is not as relaxed as most coastal areas where shorts and sandals are concerned, but certainly it's not so rigid that you'll look out of place if this is your choice of summer clothing. Madrileños are well accustomed to seeing tourists in shorts. In coastal areas shorts and sandals are an absolute must. If you're coming on a business trip, dress correctly for business - the Spanish will appreciate it, even if they themselves are jacket and tie-less.
Smoking is popular in Spain, having only recently been banned. Don't be surprised if you go out for a meal with Spanish friends and they light up even between courses.

Vestimenta: En los meses de verano es aconsejable el algodón ligero, camisetas y si se es de piel clara, protección para la cabeza y cara. En el invierno es recomendable un buena ropa de abrigo. Madrid no es zona costera y por tanto las chanclas y los pantalones cortos no suelen ser muy comunes. Si viene a Madrid en viaje de negocios vista bien y los madrileños se lo agradecerán. El tabaco, aunque prohibido en los transportes públicos sigue siendo muy común entre los españoles, al igual que el consumo de alcohol (cañas, vinos, etc.)

Visa / Passport and Food: If your country of origin is the USA, you will of course need a valid passport to visit Spain, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months. If you are a national of a European Union country which has not subscribed to the Schengen agreement, the same conditions apply. However, if your country of origin belongs to the Schengen group, you can enter Spain with no passport or visa controls at all, although it is necessary to have your passport with you as identification. For all nationalities, it would be prudent to check the latest regulations with the nearest Spanish consulate or embassy.
The best food from all around the country arrives in Madrid every day - fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, fish and shellfish. This means that the restaurants and markets have access to the freshest and most varied produce. The food here, therefore, can be of the best quality in Spain.What the tourist should bear in mind more than anything are the eating hours in Spain. Lunch and the evening meal start much later than in many other countries. The Spaniards tend to start the day with a light breakfast. However, don't be surprised if you're here on business and your fellow Spanish workers exit the office en masse around 10.30-11.00h. They will be popping round to the nearest café or bar for a quick cup of coffee and croissant or cake. Lunch never starts before 13.30h and can be as late as 15.00 or 15.30h. An excellent way of enjoying good, cheap Spanish food at lunch time is to sit down for a "menú del día". This is a fixed price menu offering several choices of first and second courses with a drink, bread and desert or coffee included for around 6 euros. Restaurant waiters will often just assume you want to eat "a la carta" offering you the more expensive menu options, so make sure you always ask the question "¿Hay menú?" (is there a fixed menu?). At the weekend the fixed menu will be more expensive, but usually includes larger or more elaborate dishes. Dinner in Spain starts any time after 20.00h, and many restaurants will not open until 21.00h. In the summer, some families will not sit down for their evening meal until as late as 23.00h - so be prepared to wait! If you've had a good menú del día at mid-day, why not follow the Spanish tradition and go for a paseo or evening stroll, visiting the occasional bar and sampling some tapas instead of a formal dinner?

Visados/Pasaportes y Gastronomía: Si su país de origen es Estados Unidos, necesitará un pasaporte válido para visitar España, aunque no se requiere visado para estancias inferiores a 3 meses. Esto también se aplica a ciudadanos de un país europeo no suscrito al acuerdo Schengen. De todos modos se recomienda verificar las últimas regulaciones en el consulado o embajada española más cercanos.
Madrid tiene fama por su gastronomía. Los mejores alimentos llegan a Madrid a diario desde toda España. Las comidas se realizan más tarde que en el resto de los paises de los alrededores. Se desayuna de manera ligera entre las 8 y las 9, la comida se realiza a las 2 y la cena a las 9 de la noche más o menos. Las tapas son una opción recomendable con un paseito por esta hermosa ciudad.