Things Tourists Should Never Do in Madrid

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It’s fine if you don’t want to join in and take a midday nap, but don’t be loud or disruptive during the hours of 3-5pm. Waking people up is simply not cool.

Madrid is a city where people are mindful of their appearance. Generally, people don’t wear yoga pants unless they are going to yoga or wear flip flops unless they are at the beach or pool. Walking around in the busy city in flip flops isn’t the best idea anyway – someone could stomp on your toes in a crowded place or it’s likely you feet will get dusty or dirty. If you want to wear sandals, pick up a sturdy and stylish pair that are better suited for city living.

The temperature will commonly shoot up in April or May for a few days, which may leave tourists wanting to pull out those shorts! Resist the urge if you want to fit in. Typically Madrid locals won’t unveil their shorts until it’s actually summer, despite soaring temperatures. Instead, wear pants and a tank top and carry a handheld fan if needed.

Any restaurant that’s worth dining at won’t serve lunch before 1pm, and that’s still quite early by Spanish standards. When in Spain, do as the Spanish do, and eat lunch later.

Remember, dinner in Spain is light and late. So enjoy some tapas or a light salad, but remember – never before 9pm!

You’ll realise that eggs aren’t even offered for breakfast in Spain unless you stumble upon an international brunch spot. They are considered a dinner food here in Spain and not typically served in the morning, so order a tosta con tomate for breakfast instead – a slice of baguette bread with blended tomato, olive oil and salt.

It’s understandable that you might want to have a drink outside in one of the lovely cafes in the Plaza Mayor while admiring the scenery. But don’t fall into the tourist trap of dining there. The food tends to be overpriced and not competitive, so just have a beer or coffee there and then head elsewhere to dine.

Madrid is a very safe city, but tourists can be easy prey for pickpockets, as visitors are often distracted with their surroundings and may be carrying expensive phones and cameras. Keep a close on your belongings – be sure to use a purse that zips and carry your wallet in your front pocket on the subway, or when visiting crowded tourist attractions.

We’ve already established Madrid is safe but that pickpocketing is common. Leave your passport in the hotel safe so you won’t have to spend your holiday at your embassy getting a new one if yours gets lost or stolen.

Guiri is the colloquial name the Spanish use for foreigners. But don’t be upset if someone calls you this, as it’s typically done in an endearing way. Madrileños love welcoming tourists and enjoy the opportunity to practise their English, so don’t be offended if you hear the word tossed around in your presence.

Sometimes the Spanish language may seem easy, as many words are similar to the same words in English. But the dreaded false cognate situation can occur when you say a word that you think means the same thing but it actually doesn’t. So don’t say you are embarazada if you are embarrassed, because what you’re really saying is that you are pregnant!

The Spanish drink whenever they feel like it. It’s not unusual to see a businessman on a break at 11am sipping a vermouth, or a group of giggling co-workers having wine or beer on their lunch break. If they can do it, so can you.

The reason it’s socially acceptable in Spain to drink at any hour of the day is because the Spanish don’t typically binge drink or get out of control. Follow their lead – have drinks when you feel like it, but don’t go too far. Plus, it’s never a good idea to risk losing control, especially if you are traveling alone.

The concept of tapas and raciones is all about sharing. Spanish food is meant to be ordered in a group setting and everyone shares. This way, you get to sample so much more!