Tourism

VISAS

EU Citizens do not require Visas for short term visits, regardless of their purpose. Any EU citizen wishing to stay in Spain for more than 90 days is required by law to acquire a Residence Permit. The Residence Permit first takes the form of a “Temporary Residence Permit” which permits the holder to stay in Spain for up to one year.

It is important to note that visitors with USA, Canadian, or Japanese passports are not required to possess any Visa provided their Passports are valid for the entire period of their stay. Any stay that is longer than the limit of 90 days will require a Visa. Other nationalities from countries other than the indicated previously should contact the nearest Spanish Embassy or Consular authorities for up-to-date information.

Find your Embassy in Madrid at:
http://www.munimadrid.es

MONEY

Currency

The national currency of Spain is the Euro. Euro coins and notes 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. 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. 2.002 = the year two thousand and two)  

Traveller's cheques are hardly accepted, 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 much better and commissions lower.

Taxes

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.  

Tipping

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!). Tipping is not obligatory anywhere. However, if you leave a small tip it shows your appreciation of the service. Never leave tips in pubs or discotheques.

CUSTOMS

Spaniards are formal and the handshake is still the customary form of greeting between men but a kiss on both cheeks is normal between women and men and women. When invited into a private home a small gift (but not flowers), is always is always appreciated. Flowers are reserved for very special occasions!
Dress code is basically formal and very casual wear is reserved for holiday areas and frowned at in towns. A shirt should always be worn in public places and on public transport. Smoking is very much the habit but only practiced in permitted commercial establishments with smoking area and never on public transport.

MADRID OPENING HOURS

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 long. 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.

ELECTRICAL CURRENT

Laptops and Internet in Madrid

If you are bringing any electrical appliances to Spain (e.g. laptop computers, travel irons, etc.) you should bear in mind the voltage and type of plug used here. Spain uses the 220V voltage level and a frequency of 50Hz. Check that your electrical appliances will work with this voltage. You may also need a plug adapter. Spain uses plugs with 2 round pins (see image). Plug adapters are available at stores selling electrical goods and at most international airports.

If you have your laptop with you, the chances are that you'll want to be using a modem to connect to Internet. Spain uses the RJ-11 telephone jack also used in USA, most of Europe and many other countries. A simple adapter should solve the problem if you're coming from a country which doesn't use this type of jack (e.g. United Kingdom).  

Internet is now widespread in Spain and there are tens of different Internet Service Providers (ISP's). Access is available via the basic switched telephone network, the digital ISDN network, the high speed ADSL protocol and various satellite and television systems. For most travellers, the normal analogue telephone network is sufficient. GoNuts4Free offers free Internet access from any point in Spain. Free access means that you pay only the cost of a local telephone call during your time online.  

For those who don't have their own laptop with them, Madrid has many Internet cafés to choose from. The most famous is probably EasyEverything on Montera Street near the Puerta del Sol. The normal price for most "cybercafés" is around 1.20 euros per hour.  

Also, the Community of Madrid offers free Internet access in the Puerta de Toledo Commercial Centre, on the 5th floor next to the "Oficina de Turismo". If many people are waiting, you will be restricted to 30 minutes access, but if free screens are available, access is virtually unlimited from 10.30h until 21h.  

Finally, Spain uses the PAL television standard and region 2 DVD's - something to bear in mind if you want to buy videos or DVD's to take home.

EMERGENCIES

Travelling Tips:

Prior to travelling check that all important documents are in date. Take copies of Passports, Driving Licenses, and Insurance Policies - keep the copies completely separate from the originals. Make a separate note of Credit Card details and/or Travellers Cheques. If subject to unusual medication, check and pack more than a sufficient supply and include the doctor’s prescription.

If arrested insist on notifying the appropriate nearest Embassy or Consulate. They will advise on a Lawyer and endeavour to arrange that treatment is as would be for a Spanish citizen. The consulate is not responsible for any costs or for arranging an immediate release.

Stolen items such as money, credit cards, and passport, should to be reported to the local police. Insist on an Interpreter being in attendance to avoid confusion over the details. Also, insist on a statement being made and signed for Insurance or other purposes. Madrid is quite a safe city, but pick-pocketing is usual around tourist areas, as well as in the city centre and metro. Pay attention to your wallet, photo-camera and mobile phone on crowded areas.

Contact Numbers:
Madrid for all Emergencies - 112
Information from the City Hall (Ayuntamiento) in Madrid - 010
General Information for Madrid - 012
All-night Chemist - 098
Fire Brigade - 080 or 085

POLICE
National - 091
Municipal - 092
Guardia Civil - 062

Credit Card Spanish Telephone Numbers:
4B - 917 260 000
American Express - 915 720 303
CajaMadrid - 915 938 800
Diners - 915 474 000
MasterCard - 915 921 000
Sistema 6000 - 913 553 000
Visa - 915 192 100

ENTERTAINMENT

Dining

In most major cities there is a selection of different levels of national and international food that range from the worker's cafe to the sophisticated fine dinning. When eating out in Spain the general meal cost is reasonable according to the type of restaurant. Visitors to the country should note that the lunch hours start around 2:00 pm and dining start around 9:00 pm.

Spain is well-known for its fish cuisines. "Paella" is probably the most popular dish. Each region in Spain has its own specialties.

The world famous Spanish tradition of "Tapas" is to be thoroughly recommended. These are small dishes of cooked tasty food and normally found as accompanying drinks in small bars and some types of cafés. They are made from various ingredients ranging from seafood to meat or all sort of vegetables. The origin of the word "Tapa" is questionable but it has been said to use originally in the ‘Cafe de la Iberia’ in Seville. A popular habit is to do bar-hooping and accompany the drink with different Tapas. Spain is reputed to be the biggest and one of the best producers in the world of dried ham.

Unless otherwise stated on the bill it is normal to leave a 10% tip.

Botín Restaurant, Cuchilleros 17, near Plaza Mayor, Metro: Sol

Tel. (+34) 913 664217 / 913 663026.

Open every day. Nearby parking. Spanish (Castilian) cuisine. 30 - 40 euros. According to the Guinness Book of Records, this is the oldest restaurant in the world, dating from 1725. The restaurant is also mentioned in the book Fortunata y Jacinta by Benito Pérez Galdós (published 1886-1887) and Goya supposedly worked here before becoming a painter. Hemingway was a frequent visitor and pronounced it one of his favourite restaurants. Today, the restaurant is decidedly a tourist spot, since it appears in so many guides.
Don't let that put you off, though, because Spaniards still go here to sample the excellent food, specialities being “cochinillo asado” (roast suckling pig) and “cordero asado” (roast lamb). The restaurant consists of four floors of tiled, wood-beamed dining rooms, with caste-iron ovens several centuries old. As you eat, you may find yourself serenaded by the occasional "tuna", a musical group formed by students and playing traditional songs in traditional dress, complete with knickerbockers.

Wining

Spanish traditionally drink a great deal of wine. Each region produces its own wines. There are several large breweries within Spain producing the light lager type beers. The principal table wines are the "Riojas" and "Valdepeñas", named after the regions where they are produced. "Rioja" wine is to be found in around Logroño in the northeast. Valdepeñas is a rougher wine to the palete and found at its best in the region where it is grown, midway between Madrid and Cordoba. The Jerez de la Frontera area is famous for its sherry. Jerez is the place where Sherry was born and first exported abroad. There are four principal types of Sherry, "Fino" which is pale and dry, "Amontillado" dry and richer in body and slightly darker, "Oloroso" a medium and golden Sherry, and finally "Dulce" which is very sweet tasting.

To the north and in the Basque Country a green wine known as "Chacoli" is very popular with its slightly sparkling and tart flavour. The majority of Spanish sparkling wines tend to be sweet and fruity. Popular Spanish Brandies are 103, Magno and Carlos, all of which are cheap and sweet.

Dinking black coffee is a national habit in Spain. "Cafe solo" is served in small cups and is strong and thick black coffee. "Cafe con leche" is the same coffee with hot milk. There are two types of bottled water, the "con gas" with fizz/carbonated, and the "sin gas" non-carbonated/still water. Visitors to the country will be pleased to know that the drinking water is potable in many areas, although many travellers do choose to buy bottled water instead because they are unaccustomed to the taste or constitution of Spanish water. However, nationals such as the “Madrileños” rarely buy bottled water, and are actually very proud of the natural water sources that feed their city, which come from deep, pure, underground reserves that have been untouched for millennia.

Nightlife

Much of Spanish life is lived in the streets and the atmosphere is especially vibrant on weekends. “Madrileños” are said to have a lively spirit. On most warm evenings the street cafes and bars are full of people sitting and enjoying company. The nightclubs only start being busy after midnight. Discos open till 7: 00 am but a number of after-hours are also to be found open during morning and late till the afternoon.

Find a list of discos at:
http://www.munimadrid.es

DAYTRIPS

Find tourism info on Madrid at:
http://www.munimadrid.es

Book a Flamenco show at: http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/madrid/flamenco.htm

If you want to make excursions, some daytrips follow:

Segovia

Segovia is mostly famous for two things - the 2000-year old Roman aqueduct, a truly impressive piece of engineering; and roast suckling pig, a truly impressive piece of cuisine! Segovia is renowned for its famous Alcázar, an eleventh-century Medieval Castle, believed to be the inspiration for Disney Castle.

Ávila

Join the pilgrimage to the ancient city of Ávila, known for being the birthplace of the mystic writer, St Teresa, as well as its ninety semicircular towers dating back to the medieval times. Experience a step back in time that you'll never forget!

Toledo

One of Spain's greatest national monuments for art, history and spirituality - the glorious city of Toledo. See its many beautiful sites including the amazing Thirteenth Century Cathedral, medieval castle, synagogue and of course its stunning El Greco masterpieces. This tour will allow this mesmerizing city, once the medieval capital of Spain, to capture your soul!

Madrid Vision Hop On Hop Off Bus

Get a unique view of Madrid aboard this open-top double-decker bus. There are 2 tours covering all of the city's highlights, from historical sites and monuments to the modern Madrid of skyscrapers and cosmopolitan architecture. The tour enables complete flexibility to hop on and off as many times as you like aboard this open-top double-decker bus. This is a fantastic way to see all of the major sights Madrid has to offer the visitor.

El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caídos)

Approximate Duration: 5 hours

Step back in time as you explore Spain's intriguing past on this tour including two commemorative buildings that impress because of their austerity and magnificence. Meander through the incredible El Escorial Monastery and discover how the monks once lived. Venture to the ominous Valley of the Fallen, where lies a monument paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the Spanish Civil War and where Franco is buried.

GEOGRAPHY AND WEATHER

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.

Built on a series of small mounts, between which Madrid rather inadequate River Manzanares flows, the city's average altitude is 654 metres above sea level, its highest point being 694 metres. At a height of 655 metres, the average barometric pressure is 706.7 mm.

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.

Madrid municipal boundaries enclose an area of 607 km2, whereas the Autonomous Community of Madrid occupies nearly 8000 km2 and consists of 178 municipalities.

Check the weather online: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?world=0043

MAPS

Map of Madrid: http://www.spain-madrid.com/map/index.htm

Map of Metro: http://www.spain-madrid.com/images/maps/madrid-metro-map.gif

Map of the Madrid Community: http://www.gomadrid.com/images/madrid-comm.jpg

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