TRAVEL TIPS

Dress code: Suits are the norm in Madrid if you're here to do business.  Otherwise standard casual clothes are appropriate for any visitor in general.  High-end restaurants and some hotel lounges may require a jacket and prohibit tennis shoes.  It is also recommended to study the weather of Madrid before your trip and pack accordingly.

When to go: Madrid is drained of its locals in August as they head off on their own holidays.  However, chances are most establishments and transportation won't be available for visitors either.  Generally, the periods between March-May and October are the most favored by visitors as the weather is crisp and not many tourists have arrived yet.  However, if you'd love to observe or join in Madrid's fiestas, May is an ideal month.

Language: Castilian (Spanish), but English, French and German-speaking staff can generally be found in large hotels and restaurants as well as in tourist centers.

Banking hours: Banks in Spain are generally open from 9 am to 2 pm on Weekdays and from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday.

Time: GMT/UTC +1 (+ 2 from last Sunday in March to last Saturday in October).

Currency: Euro Dollar (EUR).

Useful numbers: International country code: 34
                            Madrid: 91
                            Emergencies: 112

Dialing tips: Dialing Spain from abroad: +34 - area code - number.

Internet access: There are numerous cybercafés all over the city with prices ranging from 1.7 € or 3.5 €.