43405MAD
Most travel night accommodation is now at the same hotel as your group will be staying in. However, if you have requested being near the airport you will most likely be staying at the NH Exprés Barajas Hotel near the Araque Offices. Araque Office hours are from 9am to 7pm, without interruption, although please call before going around.
Please contact the Spain Supervisor or the area office to arrange a time to pick up your materials.
Facilities to use computers, print materials, make photocopies, phone calls etc are available to you at the office. The reception at NH Exprés Barajas are happy to print several pages if you need them to.
From the airport
See airport shuttle details below. If shuttle unavailable you can reach the hotel by a RED city bus – 101. You can catch the 101 at Terminals 1, 2 or 3. If you land at Terminal 4, then you will need to take an airport bus to the other Terminals to get the 101. Get off the bus at Plaza del Mar and then follow the map below to the hotel.
For navigating public transport, there is nice free app, called Citymapper, available for many major cities around Europe, including Madrid. It has very thorough searches and tends to be more accurate than Google Maps.
Arriving by train or coming from Madrid
Via Metro – take Line 5 (green line) towards Alameda de Osuna and get off at El Capricho (about half hour from Callao Metro). Take exit Pinos de Osuna, walk straight ahead along the bike/foot path, pass the school on your left and take the next street on your left, which is Joaquin Ibarra – the Araque Office is at Paseo Alameda Osuna 70
A – Bus Stop
B – Hotel
How to Get to the Airport – Arrival
· Taxis are not to be taken without specific instructions from the Area Office.
· Free shuttle to and from the NH Barajas is generally available between the hours of 5 and 00,40. check directly with the hotel & call in advance to arrange. If a shuttle bus is not possible, then you can take bus 101 back to the airport.
· If you are staying in Madrid centre, you can take the metro to the airport or the cercanias train (Nuevos Ministerios to terminal 4)
· On your travel day, please make note of your arrival times and how many transfers will be made. Please keep the area office advised if you have any arrival delays.
· Check in advance which terminal your group is arriving to. Flight radar or flight aware webpages are reliable.
· T4 arrivals:, Follow signs for T4 bus terminal parking – as you face the exit take the right-hand escalator up one floor and follow the signs. It takes about 10 minutes to walk there so a good idea to check it out before accompanying your group if you have time.
There is also line 8 on the metro (Nuevos Ministerios – Barajas) direct to the airport. You can also use a regular metrobus ticket on this service but will have to pay the extra airport supplement of €3 (you can buy it after arriving at the airport, before leaving the metro station). The Metro now arrives to all terminals.
There is a plastic ‘Multi’ card replacing all kinds of paper tickets. The new card costs €2.50 and is valid for 10 years. It can be loaded with up to 3 non-personal tickets (so for example 3 passes of 10 journeys). For more information: http://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/tarjeta-multi.aspx
If you arrive in Madrid by train and are going to the airport, or going to take a long-distance train after dropping your group off, you can use the Cercanias train for free – the pdf version of your train ticket will have a code for “combinado cercanias” – if you input it into the
RENFE ticket machine, you’ll be given a free ticket to use the Cercanias trains for several hours prior to/after your train departure/arrival.
For groups starting in Toledo…
You will spend the night before the group arrives in Madrid (see above for travel day details). After meeting the group continue with them to Toledo – about 1 ½ hours drive. Take M30 sur then N401 to Toledo.
For groups starting in Segovia…
You will spend the night before the group arrives in Madrid (see above for travel day details). After meeting the group you will take them to Segovia, which is about 1½ hours’ drive.
Take M30 then A6 to Segovia.
How to Get to the Airport – Departure
Trip time is about 30 minutes depending on traffic. Pick up times are arranged based on departure time – normally 3 hours before the departure flight. Remember, you should be at the airport at least 2 ½ hours before the flight leaves, unless the flight leaves very early in the morning.
Transport
Metro The metro and buses run from 06.00 – 01.30 daily
Metro/Bus cost
Type of Metro/Bus Ticket Cost
Single ticket 1,50 – 2,00€
Metrobus (10 trip ticket valid
for both metro and bus
travel) 8,50 € + 2,50 € for reusable card
Airport supplement 3€
Keep ticket throughout journey. Entry through magnetic turnstiles. Plastic card needs to be tapped on scanner before being passed back one by one through group – make sure you get the card back when it is empty to reload it or keep it for future use.
Taxi Taxis will take up to 4 people. There are currently over 15,000 taxis in the city centre so they can easily be hailed down in the
street.
Cost The Average fare within the centre of town is 9.00€ but about 12.00€ if going north of town, ie Chamartin railway station.
Tourist Information
Main Tourist Office: Plaza Mayor, 27 (Casa de la Panaderia). Telephone 915 881 636. Open 9.30am to 9.00pm 365 days of the year
Airport or train stations
Guia de Ocio for listings of what’s on in Madrid is published weekly on Thursdays. In Madrid, is an English newspaper, has listings of concerts and other cultural events, free copies can be picked up in the tourist office in the Plaza Mayor and many cafés and restaurants.
Madrid’s What’s On, is another small magazine, which is available from the tourist office with all the usual listings and a map.
Church Services
Alumudena Cathedral. Monday – Sunday 12.00, 18.00 and 19.00
There are many local churches that might be closer to your hotel, always check with reception for details.
Major Sights
Almudena Cathedral: Just next to The Royal Palace. 19th Century outside, 20th Century inside. Statue of Pope John Paul II beside entrance on C/Bailen / Metro: Opera
Royal Palace: The inside visit is worthwhile: ornately decorated rooms containing beautiful chandeliers, tapestries, silk wallpaper, clocks and paintings. The throne room and the dining room are impressively large and lavish. Make sure your group visit the armory (also included in the ticket) it is a highlight. Palace also houses musical instrument collection. Guided visits in English throughout the day – availability depending on demand – lasts around an hour. Metro: Opera
Students will need STUDENT ID for discount entry.
Monument to Discovery: Monument consisting of 4 monoliths of Americas carved with texts commemorating occasion. Plaza Colon, Metro: Colón
Plaza Mayor: Arcaded square built between 1617 and 1619. Scene of many public events – bullfighting to markets – in Madrid and location of several
restaurants and Tapas bars and a modern-day concert venue. Summer evenings street entertainers and portrait artists. Metro: Sol/Opera
Temple of Debod: 4th Century BC temple presented to Spain by Egypt as a thank you for their help in building the Aswan Dam. Metro: Plaza España
Plaza de España: Statue of Don Quijote and Sancho Panza with Cervantes in the middle- pretty fountains.
Moncloa Light Tower: Splendid panoramic view of Madrid. Closed Mondays. Metro: Moncloa
Museums
Most museums close on Mondays. Official ID with birth date should be carried – driver’s license or photocopies of passports will suffice.
Reina Sofia Museum: 20th Century art museum that houses Picasso’s Guernica along with many of his Guernica sketches and other important paintings. There are also many works by Dalí, Miró and Solana to name but a few / temporary exhibitions of a high standard and the glass lifts are fun too, good gift shop. Metro: Atocha. Group reservation available, call in advance. Under-18s go in for free, teachers can go in for free if they have their teacher ID.
Thyssen Bornemisza Museum: Former private art collection with a broad range from mid 12th century to modern day works. Highlights include Titian’s St Jerome in the Wilderness, their collection of French Impressionists and paintings by Georgia O’Keefe and Edward Hopper. Metro: Banco de España
Sorolla Museum: The turn of the century painter’s house, studio and Moorish garden. Metro: Iglesia
San Antonio de la Florida Church: Tomb of Goya, frescoes. Metro: Principe Pío Casa Mingo – just next door is a great place for roast chicken at good prices. Lots of atmosphere.
Bullfighting Museum: inn the bullring. Metro: Ventas. Entrance is free, however guided tours are now available. From Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am is the first one and 13.30 is the last one. Tour takes about 45 minutes. Cost €7. Call ahead for group reservations 91 556 9237.
Teleférico de Madrid- cable car (“Teleférico de Madrid”) dates back to 1969.The journey starts on the Paseo del Pintor Rosales street, near the Argüelles Metro station, and takes you over the River Manzanares and into the Casa de Campo park. Metro: Argüelles (Lines 3, 4 and 6).
Círculo de Bellas Artes (Terrace and rooftop view) Calle Alcalá 42. private, non-profit, cultural organization that was founded in 1880 where
exhibitions, theatre and other cultural events are being held. For a small fee of 4 EUR students can take the lift to its rooftop café and enjoy great views of the city. Metro: Sevilla/Banco de España
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu: whilst it is still open the current visit is somewhat reduced due to the ongoing renovation
Parks and Gardens
Retiro Park
Royal Botanical Gardens
West Park and Rosales Rose Garden
Casa de Campo cafes around the lake and boating. Metro Lago.
Markets
Rastro Flea Market, Ribera de Curtidores. (Metro La Latina/Tirso de Molina.)
Open on Sunday morning – earlier the better!
Stamp & Coin Market, Plaza Mayor.
Open on Sunday morning.
Shopping
Puerto del Sol Calles Carmen, Preciados and Arenal.
Calle Fuencarral from Gran Via to Bilbao
The lower end of Calle Arenal & Mayor is good for guitar and musical instruments
Corte Ingles: Branches in Calle Preciados, Goya and Princesa.
FNAC: 5 floors of books, CDs, and electrical goods based in Calle Preciados
Calle Princesa from near Arguelles
Principe Pio shopping centre: Undercover mall with all the high street shops, restaurants and cinemas and open every day of the year.
Plaza mayor: Here and in the streets behind you can find all sorts of tourist junk
Typical Events
Bullfight – Every Sunday during the season – from 19 March to October. Everyday during festivals. Novillos every Friday night in July at 8pm. Call the tourist office or the bullring for information on times and prices.
Flamenco – Torres Bermejas is one of the longest standing. Corral de Moreria is also a very good place, but more expensive. Call the area office for group reservations.
Free Time Group Activities
Hard Rock Café – call the area office for group reservations – accept ‘Ticket Restaurant’.
Bike Tours of Madrid’s Old Town (i.e. no streets with traffic). Trixi bikes near Metro Sevilla, just off Gran Via (very close to Petite Palace Tres Cruces) offers 1.5 hour tours. Don’t forget the helmet! Contact them on 915 231 547.
Olive Oil Tasting – Calle Mayor, 43. Carbonell now has a store in the heart of Madrid that offers olive oil tastings. 91.559.0719.
Theatre/Concerts – Check with Ocio In the summer, don’t forget Veranos de la Villa concert series with stages all around downtown Madrid for outdoor concerts.
Cinemas – There are several cinemas showing original version films in the downtown area. Check the newspaper, online or Guia del Ocio.
Churros y Chocolate – Chocolateria San Gines open ALL night, Calle Arenal (up the alleyway to the right of the main entrance to Joy Eslava), Pasadizo de San Gines. They normally sit groups in a basement room, so it’s nicer to ask for churros and chocolate to take away and go eat them in a park, e.g. next to Opera. If you do wish to eat there it is advisable to call and book your group in.
Valor (Callao) also good churros y chocolate, but closes at 10pm.
Madrid City Sightseeing
Morning or afternoon sightseeing with local guide on foot
· Groups will be provided in advance with whisper sets (you should receive a text message confirming this approx. 24 hours before group arrival), please check with the hotel in advance that they have arrived.
· Call or text your local guide at least 24 hours in advance to confirm time and place of meeting.
· If you have more than 30 pax in your group they will have two guides for the Prado.
· Make sure everyone in your group has these before heading out on sightseeing ( and that you have the microphone/s for the local guide, you will need two if your group is over 29 pax )
· Ensure that you have extra batteries/whispers and earphones with you at all times.
· As this tour is now all on foot please remind the group to pack light as any backpacks will need to be checked at the Prado museum which will slow you down.
· If you have an afternoon visit to El Escorial etc, a bus will be provided for that service – check your itinerary for details – Madrid
office will text you in advance with the driver’s name and number to liaise where to pick up the group and when
The city sightseeing tour is now all on foot – liaise in advance with your teachers to see what they are most interested in seeing bearing in mind your appointment time at Prado museum.
The following places are just suggestions – all will not be possible!
· Cibeles fountain & City Hall (old post office)
· Tropical Garden at Atocha railway station
· Templo de Debod
· Plaza Mayor
· Puerta del sol
· Gran Vía
· Plaza de España
· Retiro Park
· Royal Palace
Group entrances to The Prado are tightly controlled and timed reservations are made in advance. If this is your first day with the whisper sets, distribute them in advance to make sure that they all work.
The guide will enter the museum to pick up the tickets. Meanwhile, your group should line up outside the entrance. This will ensure a faster and smoother entrance into the museum for your group.
The Prado Inside visit. Local guides can only be with groups for a maximum of 1 hour and 15 minutes in the museum. We aim to get entrance times that will make The Prado the last stop on your visit, however with new booking regulations this is somewhat out of our hands. Please ensure that the group will have time to look around more / go to the shop after the guided portion of the museum visit.
If sightseeing is scheduled for Saturday afternoon or Sunday, the Royal Palace may be visited instead. Check your itin and vouchers and warn your group about this on arrival day to avoid disappointment. Groups interested in visiting the Prado Museum must do so in their free time. The Tour Manager should reimburse participants upon receipt of entrance tickets, however, please be advised that the museum is free for under 18s (ID required) every day and for everyone from 6pm to 8pm, and on Sundays from 5pm to 8pm.
If arriving from another city the times may differ. Check your voucher for timings.
TIMES
09:30 Rendezvous at hotel with local guide
12:30 End of tour. Give local guide the signed voucher.
Many groups like to walk up to the Retiro Park after the Museum visit to use the row boats (if available) have an ice cream/ sandwich. Some also want to visit Reina Sofía. This can be combined if you walk the group to Reina Sofía after Prado and give them free time there, pointing out where Retiro is. There are places for lunch near Reína Sofia, including El Brillante, famous for bocadillo de callamares, the local specialty.
Give free time suggestions.