Madrid Travel Guide

City Facts

Location

Madrid region, central Spain.

Time Zone

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs are standard.

Average January Temperatures

5ºC (41.5ºF).

Average July Temperatures

24ºC (75.5ºF).

Language

As soon as a Spaniard opens his/her mouth, everyone knows where they come from. The Madrileños speak Castellano (Castilian Spanish), established as the national language since the Nova Planta decrees of 1716. Although they pronounce all vowels and consonants (as opposed to the elliptic Andalusian Spanish), Madrileños frequently waive standard grammar rules, in a phenomenon known as Laismo (where personal pronoun la replaces le) or Leismo (where le replaces la). The second decisive factor in determining accent is social class. In Madrid, the upper classes open their mouths extra wide to speak, as though they have a potato in their mouth – patata en la boca. The lower social classes have their own accent. One of its characteristics is the ‘rh’ sound replacing the ‘s’ sound – hence es que (because) becomes erh que. Madrileños are very fond (in a patronising kind of way) of the accent from Andalusia but are less well-disposed towards the accent and language – Català (Catalan) – of their arch- rivals in Barcelona. Phrases Yes - Sí No - No Hello - Hola Goodbye - Adios Please - Por favor Thank you - Gracias My name is ... - Me llamo ... How are you? - Qué tal estás? I’m very well - Estoy muy bien I feel ill - Me siento mal How much does it cost? - Cuantó es? Do you speak English? - Habla inglés? I don’t understand - No entiendo Where is ...? - Dónde está ...? Entrance - Entrada Exit - Salida Danger - Peligro Open - Abierto Closed - Cerrado Toilets - Servicios Doctor - Médico Hotel - Hotel Restaurant - Restaurante Beer - Cerveza Wine - Vino Menu - Carta Today - Hoy Tomorrow - Mañana Monday - Lunes Tuesday - Martes Wednesday - Miércoles Thursday - Jueves Friday - Viernes Saturday - Sábado Sunday - Domingo One - Un / uno / una Two - Dos / dues Three - Tres Four - Cuatro Five - Cinco Six - Seis Seven - Siete Eight - Ocho Nine - Nieve Ten - Diez Twenty - Veinte Thirty - Treinta Forty - Cuarenta Fifty - Cincuenta Sixty - Sesenta Seventy - Setenta Eighty - Ochenta Ninety - Noventa One Hundred - Cien One Thousand - Mil

Cost of Living

Special Events

Reyes Magos (Epiphany)
January
Marked by a procession of the ‘the kings' with commercial floats.
City center

Carnaval(Carnival)
February
Procession, masked ball and cultural events, culminating in the ritual Burial of the Sardine in the church of San Antonio de la Florida.
Plaza Mayor

Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Week leading to Easter
Solemn religious processions and services.
Throughout the city

Fiesta del 2 de Mayo (Festival of 2 May)
2 May
Marks the day when Madrid rose up against the French in 1808, with films, poetry recitals, concerts and dance.
Various venues

Festival Flamenco
May
Flamenco dancing competition.
Teatro Albéniz, Calle de la Paz 11

San Isidro
May
Commemoration of Madrid's patron saint with procession to the church of San Isidoro, open-air dance performances, theater productions, zarzuela, pop and rock concerts and sports competitions.
Pradera de San Isidoro and various other venues

Gay Pride
Last week in June
Festival culminates in a parade through the Retiro, Sol and Casa de Campo districts, other events in Chueca district.
Website: www.gaypridemadrid.com

Veranos de la Villa (Summer in the City)
July-August
Seasonal cultural events.
Various venues

Festival de Otoño (Autumn Festival)
October-November
Madrid's most important annual arts festival.
Various venues

Feria de Artesania
December
Festive craft fair.
Paseo de Recoletos

Natividad (Christmas)
December
Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Plaza Mayor

Nochevieja (New Year's Eve)
December
Crowds gather to eat grapes and drink champagne.
Puerta del Sol