Mutua Madrid Open

1. The siesta is real

When we talk about the siesta, we’re not just talking about a little nap after lunch. The siesta also affects when businesses open and close. One of the things to know before traveling to Madrid is that many shops aren’t open between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Madrid is changing, but many businesses still operate on the traditional timetable when family-run establishments closed down while the workers ate a long lunch and then relaxed a bit at home.

Offices of all sorts also close down between these hours as well. When in Madrid, make sure to get everything you need in the morning or in the afternoon after businesses open up again. Larger shops and supermarkets, especially in the city center, typically stay open all day. Things are changing but be aware of closing times to avoid unnecessary delays!

Insider’s tip: Beyond the siesta, there are other opening-hour quirks in Madrid. Banks are typically only open from 9:00 am–2:00 pm and smaller shops close Saturday around 2:00 pm and re-open on Monday morning.

2. The olives with your drink are free!

In Madrid, when you order a drink, you’ll usually get a little bite to eat. Typically this can be olives, potato chips, nuts or even a piece or cheese or a slice of cured meat! The tapa, or snack that comes with your drink, is a Madrid tradition. If you want to eat something more substantial, you can order raciones which are shared plates of hot or cold food. Think platters of cured ham or aged Spanish cheese, crispy rings of breaded calamari, sliced tomatoes dressed with olive oil and sea salt and much, much more!

3. Buy tickets for the Prado Museum online

No trip to Madrid is complete without a visit to the Prado museum! The great works of Velazquez, Goya, Bosch and more make for an unforgettable art experience. But one of the things to know before traveling to Madrid is that purchasing tickets in advance will keep you from having to wait in a long line to get in! Get yourself a museum pass and yu’ll glide past the lines for easy entrance.

Insider’s tip: To avoid art fatigue, grab a map at the information desk and make a plan of what you’d like to see. The collection is so massive that it can feel a bit overwhelming. Some of our favorites are Goya’s Black Paintings, Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights and, for foodies, there are spectacular still lifes bursting with fruit, vegetables, meat and period serving pieces!

It’s easy to wander the Prado for hours without seeing everything you want to. You’ll skip the line at the Prado and our art expert will lead you on a guided tour of 20 of the museum’s most important works. After an aperitif at a century-old tavern, we’ll sit down for a leisurely three-course meal where you’ll enjoy the house specialty at the oldest restaurant in the world.

4. Lunch is late and dinner is later

In Madrid, a city that seems to never sleep, lunch typically starts around 2:00 pm and dinner can start as late as 11:00 pm. One of the things to know before traveling to Madrid is that restaurants usually open for lunch around 1:30 pm and close around 4:00 pm. Then dinner service starts at about 8:00 pm and kitchens close at about 11:30 pm.  If you’re feeling peckish between lunch and dinner, you can always grab a late afternoon snack. You can get a merienda, the Spanish word for a sweet afternoon bite, at bakeries and cafés all over the city. These places typically serve food throughout the day. If you’re not up for churros and chocolate first thing in the morning, merienda is the perfect time to try this sweet Madrid treat!

5. Paella is a dish best served for lunch

Speaking of lunch… While Valencia is the city most famous for paella, we have fantastic places for this iconic rice dish in Madrid. But one of the things to know before traveling to Madrid is that paella is served for lunch rather than dinner.

6. The city center is extremely walkable

Put on your walking shoes and hit the streets! Most of the historic sights in Madrid are easy to explore on foot and are close enough together that you can make a day out of strolling between them. Try visiting the Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace, Plaza del Oriente, Puerta del Sol, Plaza de la Villa, and Mercado San Miguel and then wander through the historic  Another great route is to visit the Prado Museum, walk along the Paseo del Prado, stroll through Retiro Park and check out the Puerta de Alcalá. For dinner, embrace tapas culture by walking from bar to bar until you’ve had all the delicious Spanish food and wine that you can handle!