Hey there, fellow travelers! Today we’re posting from Madrid. We love to help travelers prepare for their vacations, and other than telling you the best things to do, we love to share the things that will shock you upon arriving in a new destination. Today we’re sharing the top ten travel shocks of your Madrid vacation.
Madrid Culture Shock #1: Late Night Culture of Madrid
Whether you are coming from Northern Europe, or the US, you will be shocked at how late things get going in Madrid. Nightlife starts really late, and if you get home at 3 or 4 in the morning, that means you bailed early on the party. The late culture of Madrid also extends to eating hours. Lunch doesn’t usually start until 1:00 and many restaurants don’t start serving dinner until 9pm!
#2: Constant Snacking in Madrid
Another shock of Madrid travel is how often the locals seem to snack, yet remain thin! There’s a saying that they have a meal for every finger: breakfast, 2nd breakfast, lunch, merienda, then dinner. So, if you are worried about eating lunch and dinner so late, don’t worry, there is always food around.
#3: Smoking in Madrid
It seems that nearly everyone in Madrid smokes, so you’ll smell a lot of smoke around Madrid, and not just from cigarettes. Don’t be surprised if your clothes smell like cigarettes at the end of the night; it’s just part of traveling in Madrid.
#4: Low Quality Tourist Restaurants
Most travelers to Spain look forward to enjoying sangria and paella during their Madrid visit. If you visit the touristy restaurants in the city center around Sol, don’t be surprised if the sangria is watered down and the paella is just not that good. A good way to tell the quality of paella is to see how many varieties are offered. If a restaurant has ten different types of paella, it’s not going to be the freshest, and will likely be microwaved for you.
#5: Good Deals in Madrid
You can get great deals on food and drink in Madrid. Many bars have 1 Euro specials, and the lunch menu or menu of the day, offers great value. You will get a drink, bread, a starter, a main dish and dessert or coffee, all for 10-13 Euros. If you are a budget traveler in Madrid, you can save a ton of money by having your main meal at lunch and taking advantage of the specials. Shopping at the markets instead of stores is another good way to save money in Madrid.
Read: How to Eat Cheap & Well While Traveling
#6: The Two-Price System
When you visit a bar in Madrid, you will notice two prices. There is one price at the bar, and a slightly higher price if you sit down. This is why you’ll see more people at the bar having a drink or some tapas, instead of sitting down. So, eating and drinking at the bar, rather than sitting down, is another way to save money in Madrid.
#7: Friendly Police Officers
Almost everyone in Spain is very friendly, but the police officers in Madrid are exceptionally tourist-friendly. If you are lost or need help, feel free to ask them. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, if you have a map, they will point you in the right direction. Second only to the cops in London, I’ve found Madrid police to be very kind.
#8: August Heat & Mass Exodus from Madrid
Madrid is unbearably hot in late July and August. It’s not a coincidence that most people in Spain have their vacation in August and the city empties out that month as residents go somewhere cooler for vacation. So if you visit Madrid in August, be prepared for very hot weather, and know that most of the people left in the city are your fellow tourists.
#9: Winter in Madrid
Travelers are also shocked to learn that Madrid gets cold in the winter. People often think of Madrid as having warm, enjoyable weather. It can get chilly in the winter, especially once the sun goes down. There are a lot of fun day trips from Madrid, but some of them, like Segovia, are to higher elevations where it’s even colder. So if you are visiting Madrid in the winter, make sure you pack extra layers.
Watch: Madrid Day Trips
#10: Pickpockets in Metro Stations
As you use the Metro around Madrid, you will notice a lot of pickpockets, especially around the center of town. If you notice that your wallet is missing, immediately retrace your steps, looking on the ground and in the trash cans. Pickpockets are usually just looking for cash, so once they get it, they often discard the wallet and cards inside. Bonus shock of Madrid Metro: you will be shocked at how low some of the ceilings are! If you’re over six feet tall, watch your head as you walk around!
We hope these ten tips help you prepare to visit Madrid, and lessen the shocks you have upon arrival. Have you been to Madrid? We’d love to hear what shocked you; just leave a comment below! For more Wolters World travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: