Trips to Madrid | Last minute.

From tapa to tapa… I'll take one, because it's my turn!

One of the reasons to visit the Autonomous Community of Madrid is its gastronomy, comprising traditional dishes made with the highest quality products, such as meats and cheeses from the Sierra de Guadarrama; honey and broad beans from the Sierra Norte; garlic and anise from Chinchón; strawberries and asparagus from Aranjuez...

Cocido madrileño (Madrid-style stew), callos a la madrileña (Madrid-style tripe), squid sandwich, fried eggs, chicken in sauce, Madrid-style doughnut, baked sea bream, Madrid-style snails, garlic soup... Impossible to choose from so many typical dishes, isn't it?

All of these can be found in Madrid's many restaurants and bars. In the capital you can follow the best tapas routes, to taste potato omelette, croquettes, patatas bravas, fried eggs, garlic shrimp... Watching someone's face when they first try these snacks, the waiter calling out the orders, the non-stop hustle and bustle of the people coming in and out... Why else would the tapa be so well known worldwide?

And for dessert... Some tasty hot chocolate with churros - of course, in the mythical chocolate shop of San Ginés -, doughnuts, torrijas, wafers, cream puffs...

Finger-licking good!

The public transport is excellent.

If you plan to spend a few days in Madrid, you should know that public transport reaches all corners of the community. In addition to being cheap and running smoothly, the underground, city buses, commuter rail network and taxis are the best way to travel. If you wish, you can rent a bike in Madrid, a scooter or an electric car to move freely around the centre, a very affordable option to suit all budgets.

Where to stay

The Autonomous Community of Madrid has an unrivalled offer in terms of accommodation, adapted to all tastes and budgets. Hotels of all categories, from one to five stars; bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, tourist apartments... And, of course, unique spaces such as campsites, bungalows and charming cottages.

And if you really want to get away from the routine and feel adventurous without venturing too far, it features very original places: staying overnight in a train carriage from the 1960's, a charming Mongolian yurt , a dome in the moonlight or a vintage caravan. Stars, nature, peace, silence... Sounds great, right?

The opening hours are extensive.

In the Autonomous Community of Madrid, opening hours are usually later than in the rest of Europe. This is largely due to the specific time zone of Spain, which is governed by the central European timetable rather than the Western one, despite the fact that its geographical location and condition would be suited to the latter.

Shops open at around 9-10am and restaurants and bars start serving their lunches and dinners later than in other countries and cities. However, in tourist areas you can eat whenever you like, especially in the centre of the capital.

What's more, on the streets of Madrid and especially in the old town, the entertainment never stops, day or night. Madrid residents love being out in the street and interacting with each other.

It should be pointed out that in the Autonomous Community of Madrid it is very easy to communicate, since in most shops and restaurants the staff are fluent English speakers. Ordinary Madrid residents, especially young people, know the language of Shakespeare well, and as for the natives less skilled with foreign languages… they make up for it with their innate friendliness!

The menu changes according to the time of year

It is important to know that the menu varies according to the time of year. In winter, soups and stews abound, and in summer the food on offer is much lighter. There are notably cold dishes such as Russian salad, salmorejo or gazpacho.

Don't forget to ask about the day's menu offered by most restaurants in Madrid! This consists of a first and second course plus dessert or coffee, for about 12 euros.

If I book Flight + Hotel, when will I receive my travel documents?

Once the booking is confirmed you will receive a confirmation e-mail. The voucher for the hotel will be also sent by email plus the vouchers for any other services (car hire, transfer, travel insurance) if booked.

Please note that no flight tickets are sent due to most airlines using e-tickets. You only need to print our confirmation email where the Airline`s booking reference appears and take it with you to the airport with your ID/Passport documents.

Important: Some Low Cost Airlines (Ryanair, Easyjet, Wizzair, Blueair and others) now request all passengers to check-in online and print the Boarding Cards before departure through their corresponding websites. Failure to do so, these airlines will charge you a supplement at the airport.

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