The Experience

Distritos

Madrid is divided into 21 zones and each zone is divided into neighborhoods. The starting point is the Puerta del Sol. Here you will find the famous kilometer zero, all roads in Spain start from that point. It is also a meeting place, always bustling. The most attractive neighborhoods in Madrid are all located around the Puerta del Sol: Sol, Huertas, La Latina, Chueca, Malasaña, a little further south the colorful Lavapiés and to the north of Moncloa / Argüelles university district, where our ÉLITE school is located Languages.

Sol / Huertas

Sol is the area of Puerta del Sol and Huertas is the southernmost area of Sol. Sol is vibrant and full of life. You can find many types of bars different types of typically Spanish bars.
Metro: Sol

La Latina

La Latina is south-west of Sol. It has narrow streets, beautiful old buildings and many squares. On Sundays, “El Rastro” opens, a large street market where you can find everything.
Metro: La Latina

Lavapiés

Lavapiés is probably the most multicultural neighborhood in Madrid. Cultures African, Arabic, Hindi, Gypsy … The Plaza de Lavapies is the center of the neighborhood. If you walk a little to the south you will find very interesting places, musicians playing in the street, food and beverage stalls. All bars there will have an artistic atmosphere. In addition there is a large selection of Arabic and Indian restaurants.
Tip: Lavapiés is not the safest neighborhood in Madrid … be careful with your belongings!
Metro: Lavapiés

Chueca

Chueca is the fashionable neighborhood of Madrid at the moment. During the day you can find many and very good bars and restaurants. The center of the neighborhood is the Plaza de Chueca. At night the area becomes a hotbed of people going in bars and streets.
Metro: Chueca

Argüelles / Moncloa

In this neighborhood is ELITE Lenguas, right next to the University City, the district of Moncloa and Argüelles welcomes many students. Argüelles is especially known for the Basses of Argüelles, where you can find many different discos, bars and clubs. You can also find alternative sites, as well as the main and most important clubs and clubs.
Near this area is the Parque del Oeste, the Temple of Debod as well as the Museum of America. Many young people go jogging in this incredible park west of Madrid.
Metro MadridMetro: Argüelles / Moncloa.
Metro: Argüelles / Moncloa

Palacio Real

Hours: 10: 00h -18: 00h (October-March) 10: 00-20: 00 (April-September) Closed ： January 1 and 6 / April 22 / May 1 / October 12 / November 9 / December 24, 25, Dec 31

The Royal Palace was the royal residence. Save an impressive collection of paintings by Goya, Velázquez and Caravaggio. Also ornate furniture, sculptures, gold and silverware, glassware, tapestries, musical instruments and porcelain. The visit includes the rooms decorated by Gasparini, the Library, the Royal Pharmacy, as well as the Royal Armory. King Felipe V commissioned the design of the Royal Palace, and construction began in 1738 and was completed in 1770.

Parque del Buen Retiro

Hours: Summer 6: 00h – 24: 00h Winter 6: 00h – 22: 00h

The Buen Retiro Park is considered the lung of the city. and Few cities in Europe and the world can claim to have such a large park (118 hectares) in the center of the city. It has a large lake with boats and three art galleries (Palacio de Cristal, Palacio de Velázquez and Casa de Vacas). Built in the seventeenth century as King’s park, it was donated to the town in 1868.

On holidays and on weekends the park is filled with walkers and tourists. There are all kinds of performances and it is the place where the Book Fair is held.

Santiago Bernabéu

Open every day except Christmas and New Year 10: 00h-19: 00h on days without parties and 10: 30h -18: 30h holidays.

The Santiago Bernabéu is the stadium of Real Madrid and its facilities such as the trophy room, player areas … are open to visitors.

The stadium was inaugurated in 1947 under the name Nuevo Estadio Chamartín. His current name is in honor of the man who was President of the club for 35 years Don Santiago Bernabéu. After several remodeling projects, today it is classified as an elite stadium, and has the highest five-star UEFA award.

It is the second largest football stadium in Spain, with a capacity of around 80,000 spectators. The visit to the stadium includes the opportunity to walk through the technical area and see the dressing room of the visiting team. The stadium also has several restaurants, a large club shop and a shopping area.

Museo Nacional del Prado

Hours: 10: 00h-20: 00 from Monday to Saturday / 10: 00-19: 00 Sundays and holidays / Closed: January 1, 6/1 May / December 24, 25, 31. The ticket office closes 30 minutes before.

The Prado National Museum is one of the most important museums in the world. It shows paintings by Velázquez, Goya, Zurbarán, Murillo, Ribera, El Greco, Tiziano, Tintoretto, Boticelli, El Bosco, Van Dyck, Rubens, Dürer and Poussin. Carlos III commissioned the design and construction of this beautiful architecture.

In 2005, its total space doubled, which allowed to exhibit 500 more works. Two years later, the annex was inaugurated displaying a collection of works of Spanish art of the nineteenth century. This allowed the museum to regain its glory as the jewel in the crown of Europe.

Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol is the most commercial area of ​​the old town of Madrid. It was just another city gate 500 years ago. Today the square has become famous for being the epicenter of the road network of Spain. The distance between the Spanish capital and any other part of the country is measured from here. Crowds gather in Puerto del Sol once a year, waiting for the chimes of the clock announcing the arrival of the New Year.

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

Open Hours ： 10: 00-21: 00 Monday-Saturday 10: 00-19: 00 Sundays. Closed Tuesdays and public holidays.

The Reina Sofía Museum is the Spanish National Museum of art of the twentieth century. The museum was officially opened on September 10, 1992 and is named after Queen Sofia. It is located in Madrid, near the train and metro stations of Atocha, in the south of the so-called Golden Triangle of Art: Prado Museum, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.

The museum is mainly dedicated to contemporary art. The highlights of the museum include excellent collections of the two best Spanish masters of the twentieth century, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Certainly, the museum’s most famous masterpiece is Picasso’s Guernica painting.

The Madrid Metro is considered by many to be the most modern metro and the most complete public transport network in Europe: it is cheap, ecological, efficient and easy to use. In addition to the metro network (consisting of 12 metro lines and more than 200 stations) there is a reliable service with frequent bus stops, as well as the train network, Cercanías (10 train lines), and the Light Rail which is the most recent incorporation.

How is it used?

• Normal questions

1. How much does the subway ticket cost?

• Simple subway pass: each trip costs you between € 1.50 and € 2, depending on how many stops your trip consists of.

* On October 31, the sale of magnetic tickets (single Metro / Light Metro, Metrobús, 10 Metro / Light Metro trips and Intercity Bonobús) ended. These tickets can be used until December 31.

From November 1, all tickets of the public transport system (with exceptions) can be loaded in the two types of contactless cards: the Personal Public Transport Card and the Multi, which can contain up to three different types of tickets.

Check in: http://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/tarjeta-transporte-publico/titulos-que-contiene.aspx

• 10 trips: it costs € 12.20 and you can travel anywhere in zone A, EMT and ML1 (Metrobús).
  Monthly subscription: this subscription costs € 54.60 (Zone A). If you are under 26, you are a candidate for the Young Pass (valid for all areas A-E2) that costs € 20. There is another new flat rate of the 30-day Pass at € 10 for the beneficiaries of the Employment Activation Program. For those over 65, there is a subscription for only € 12.30.

* The time you are living in Madrid and the frequency in which you use public transport will determine what type of ticket or ticket you will need.

* You can check the scope of the zones (A-E2) here: http://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/zonas-tarifarias.aspx?zonaTarifaM=A

2. What is the subway schedule?

If you need to be somewhere too early or if you leave late, there is no need to worry. The Madrid Metro is available every day from 6 am to 2 am. Trains leave every 3 minutes at peak times (from 7 am-9am and from 6 pm-8pm). You can also take a look at the metro schedule and find the nearest route. There is no excuse for being late!

3. How do I get a Monthly Metro Pass?

If you want to get a monthly payment you will need some documents. You can scan them to make an online application or take printed documents to certain subway stations.

• Photocopy of ID, passport or residence permit.
• A recent photograph in color and card size. If you go to the main office they will take your picture there.

* Élite Lenguas advises you to request your subscription online. It is simpler and you can do it from home. You just have to follow these steps:

1. Go to the page: tarjetatransportepublico.es
2. Choose the type of subscription you are going to use and press “Accept”. The options are: Young Pass (under 26), Normal Pass, Senior Pass (over 65). And you can choose which zone you are going to use: Zone A, B1, B2, B3 …
3. Now you will need to enter your ID or passport number. Once you have clicked “Accept” you can choose between going to a Madrid Metro office (“Request an appointment”) or you can make an online request (“Start online application”)
4. If you decide to apply online, you will have to fill out a form with your personal information and the address of your residence (Spanish). It is very important that you provide your e-mail and correct phone number so that the subway office can contact you. Before performing the next step you will have to check the “First card request” box.
5. The next step is to upload the documents mentioned above (photocopy of ID or passport and recent photograph). If you have a disability you can upload the necessary documentation to apply for a discount.
6. Once you have uploaded the documents, make sure all the information is in order and check the box that says “the signatory of the request declares”. Enter the validation code and start the payment process.
7. Your payment will be a commission of € 4 for your new transport card.

Adolfo Suárez (Barajas) Airport
91 305 86 56

RENFE (National Railway)
Alcalá, 44
90 232 03 20

AVE Station (train) Atocha
Glorieta del Emperador Carlos V
91 563 02 02

Chamartín Train Station
Agustín de Foxá
91 323 21 21

Main Bus Station
Méndez Álvaro 83
91 468 42 00

Avanza Bus
Méndez Álvaro 83
90 202 09 99

ALSA Bus
Avenida de América Interchange 9-A
91 327 05 40

Climate
May to June and September temperatures are most appropriate. Located in a plateau inland, Madrid has a typical temperate continental climate, hot in summer and cold in winter. However, although the summer is hot it is relatively dry, so it’s not particularly tough to get through. In winter, the mountains in the North West block the cold air from the Atlantic, the minimum temperature is about 7 ℃, not that cold. Madrid’s Spring and Autumn are pleasant seasons, especially the warm and comfortable autumn.

Nightlife
Madrid is the ultimate city for partying. It’s well known for its vibrant clubbing scene, and is known as the European capital of nightlife. So, you can’t leave Madrid without experiencing night clubs like the Teatro Kapital, which, with seven different floors each showcasing its own style, is one of Europe’s most famous clubs. There’s also the Joy-Eslava, a converted theatre which is open every day of the year! Nor can you leave without having a drink in some of the historical bars, like the Vía Láctea or the Penta in the Malasaña district, where you can get a taste of the famous “movida madrileña” of the 1980s.

Don’t be surprised if you get a call from one of your friends asking you to have dinner at 11pm, because in Madrid the party usually starts at this time! Therefore it’s important to make sure that you have a siesta after lunch, as many bars and clubs stay open until the following morning. Make the most of the night and then refuel yourself on your way home with a hot chocolate and some delicious “churros”.

Gastronomy in Spain
The food in Spain is quite simply-delicious! Among the most typical dishes are the well known Spanish omelette (tortilla), paella, cocido, cured ham (jamón serrano), gazpacho, suckling pig and Galician octopus, you’re bound to have heard of them!

Another Spanish tradition not to be missed is to “ir de tapas” (which means to go for tapas). Tapas are small portions of food, usually served to accompany a drink. It has become the most popular thing to do with your friends; to go to bars for a beer and some tapas.

Football
You’re bound to have heard of the best football club of the 21th century, Real Madrid! The stadium tour is a must— the Santiago Bernabéu has a capacity of 85,000 and is home to such footballers as Cristiano Ronaldo and Iker Casillas. Of course, when you come to Madrid you have to make the decision between Real Madrid or Atletico de Madrid, which side are you on?

Museums
Madrid has a multitude of museums to satisfy all interests. The three main museums, with a big international pedigree, are obligatory for all tourists. One of the most important art museums in the world, the Prado Museum boasts 6,500 sketches, more than 3,000 sculptures, nearly 2,800 decorative pieces of art, and 8,000 paintings, amongst which you can find works of Velázquez and Goya. For a more modern look at art, there is the Reina Sofía which houses an extensive collection of contemporary Spanish art, like the works of Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró. Finally, we have the Thyssen Bornemisza, which sees millions of visitors every year, and has a collection of over 800 works from the 17th to the 20th century.

Theatres and concerts
Madrid is full of theatres showcasing the best plays and world famous muscials, such as The Lion King or Cirque du Soleil. Also, opera lovers have to get themselves to the Royal Theatre.

In addition to theatre, many international bands come to Madrid on their tours for concerts and festivals, and obviously, it’s a mecca for Spanish groups. Groups and artists such as Noel Gallagher, Manowar, Coldplay, Juanes, Wire, Skunk, Elton John, Sting, Shakira, Guns’n’Roses have graced Madrid in the last few years.

Suburbs of Madrid
Geographically, Madrid is right in the center of Spain, and thanks to an excellent transport infrastructure of highways and trains, it’s the best base If you’re looking for towns nearby to make a perfect day trip.

You will surely love visiting towns like Toledo (only 35 minutes from Madrid by train), which is a World Heritage site. You can’t leave without seeing the impressive aquaduct en Segovia, or the marvellous Plaza Mayor in Salamanca. You will be amazed by the 16th century San Lorenzo de El Escorial monastery, or Alcalá de Henares, another World Heritage site, and the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes.

It’s really hard to get bored in Madrid since there are plenty of “fiestas” throughout the whole year. For this reason, it is sometimes difficult to decide what to do or when to visit. Therefore, we have listed the most important public holidays for our students:

The most important public holidays are between April and October. The main ones in Madrid are Dos de Mayo, San Isidro, La Paloma and La Almudena. All of the banks, shops and museums are closed on these holidays.

• In April, in the Easter celebrations of Semana Santa (the Holy Week), there are many processions in the streets. The people taking part wear the traditional procession dress and carry models representing the Virgin Mary. However, Semana Santa in Madrid cannot be compared to Semana Santa in Andalucia, where the processions are alot bigger.
• May 2nd is historically an important day for Madrid. It is the festival of the Comunidad de Madrid (“Community of Madrid”) which takes place in the district of Malasaña. It is celebrated in memory of the rebellion against Napoleon that started in the Puerta del Sol during the War of Independence and led to the defeat of the Napoleon. There are lots of concerts, dance shows and sporting events.
• The 15th of May is the day of a very important festival in Madrid; the Festival of San Isidro. San Isidro is the patron saint of Madrid and it is one of the most famous festivals of the city. During the course of the festival, the famous Feria Taurina (the bullfighting fair) takes place at the Plaza de las Ventas in Madrid.
• The 13th of June is the day of San Antonio de la Florida. The celebrations take place in the district of Moncloa. According to tradition, you have to put your hand into the baptismal font and the number of pins which stick to your hand marks the number of boy or girlfriends you will have.
• From 23rd to 24th of June, the Festival of San Juan takes place in the “Parque del Retiro”. On the night of the 23rd of June, there is a fireworks display to celebrate the longest day of the year.
• The first Sunday of July is the day of Nuestra Señora de las Victorias. Most of the celebrations take place in the district of Tetuán and there are several concerts.
• From July 9th-16th, the Festival of the Virgen del Carmen is celebrated in the district of Chamberí. A range of events and music shows take place next to the Canal de Isabel II. From July 9th-17th, celebrations take place in the district of Carabanchel Bajo and from the 8th-17th in the district of Vallecas.
• The 25th of July is the Festival of Santiago which is celebrated in the district of Carabanchel Bajo.
• Around July, “El Festival de Verano en la Villa” (The Summer Festival in the Villa) begins and continues until September. The programme is filled with a range of events related to cinema, theatre and concerts which take place in different locations, usually outside.
• August is the month of celebration in some of the districts of Madrid. From the 6th to the 15th, the Festivals of San Lorenzo, San Cayetano and la Virgen de la Paloma take place in the district of La Latina, Lavapiés and Las Vistillas. The men dress as “chulapos” (in the traditional Madrid folk dress) and the women wear “mantones” (traditional embroidered scarves) and dance the typical dance of Madrid, the “Chotis”. You can see this at any of the fiestas which take place in these three districts. During the first half of August, the fiestas convert the historic centre of Madrid into a constant stream of street parties, with dances and celebrations.
• From September 24th-29th the Fiestas de Otoño (Autumn Festival) takes place in the district of Chamartín.
• On the 12th of October, it is the Fiesta de Nuestra Señora del Pilar (in the districts of Salamanca, Pilar and Orcasitas). It’s the festival of the “Hispanidad” and there are military processions in the centre of Madrid.
• The 9th of November is the Festival of the Virgen de la Almudena, the female patron saint of the city. Her picture was found in a wall of the Arabic tower “La Puerta de la Vega” (the door of la Vega) where it was hidden from the Moors when they invaded.