When arriving to Barajas Airport, try to save the taxi fare by taking the metro. It is open ´till 01h30 am and it only costs €1. You can also take a bus, #204, to Avenida de América from where you can also take the metro to your hotel. In Madrid all tourist places are pretty close, so don’t take a taxi unless is absolutely necessary. Buses only take up to €5 bills so be sure to carry small change.
Be aware business and restaurant hours are different from most of Europe and America. Some banks and shops are closed between 2 pm and 5 pm. Restaurants open for lunch at 1 pm and don’t even think about having dinner before 9 pm; when going to a nice place try to make reservations so you don’t have to wait for hours to get a table. Can’t leave Madrid without having some of its famous tapas! Try the Iberian cured ham, the Spanish tortilla and gazpacho (traditional tomato soup).
Madrid homes two very famous and important museums in the world, Museo del Prado and Museo Reina Sofia; so going for a visit to at least one of them is a most. You can visit Museo del Prado for free Sundays from 17h00 ´till closing at 20h00. Museo Reina Sofia is free Saturdays from 14h00 ´till closing, and Sundays from 10h00 ´till closing.
If you want to know what’s happening in the city during your stay, buy “La Guía del Ocio” for €1 at any newspaper stand. It will be your guide for all kind of activities like concerts, movies, exhibitions, parties, etc.
