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Madrid Travel Resources

Madrid Travel Resources

Madrid Spain Travel Guide

Digital Resources for Madrid

Essential Apps for Madrid

  • Metro de Madrid Official App

    Your go-to for subway navigation and real-time schedules.

  • Citymapper

    Comprehensive mass transit and walking directions with real-time updates.

  • Cabify/Uber

    Ride-sharing apps offering convenient transportation in the city.

  • Google Translate/DeepL

    Translation apps to bridge language barriers, with offline modes.

  • Renfe Official App

    For booking and managing Spanish train tickets.

Useful Websites for Additional Planning

  • Esmadrid.com

    The official Madrid tourism website for attractions and events.

  • Metromadrid.es

    Official Madrid Metro website for comprehensive maps and schedules.

  • Renfe.com

    Website for Spanish National Rail, for long-distance trains.

  • Alsa.es

    Website for ALSA, a major bus company for inter-urban travel.

  • Museodelprado.es, museoreinasofia.es, thyssen.org

    Official websites for Madrid's major galleries.

Connect & Discover Digitally

Social Media Accounts to Follow

Stay updated with events and city life.

Podcasts & Digital Content

Explore travel vlogs or documentaries about Madrid on YouTube for inspiration.

Language Learning Resources

Practice basic Spanish phrases for a richer travel experience.

Print Resources

Recommended Guidebooks

  • Lonely Planet Madrid
  • Rick Steves' Spain
  • Rough Guide to Madrid/Spain
  • Michelin Green Guide Madrid

Books About Madrid

  • "Ghosts of Spain: Travels Through a Country's Hidden Past" by Giles Tremlett
  • "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway
  • "Madrid: Midnight, Midday" by William Chislett
  • "Homage to Catalonia" by George Orwell (context for Civil War)

Local Publications

Guía del Ocio

  • Weekly guide to events, cinema, and cultural activities.
  • Mainly in Spanish, helpful for local happenings.

El País

  • One of Spain's key national newspapers.
  • Offers a glimpse into Spanish current events.

El Mundo

  • Another prominent national newspaper.
  • Provides cultural reviews and national news.

Emergency & Medical Information

Important Contacts

Emergency Numbers

  • General Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 112
  • The Federal police (Policía Nacional): 091
  • Local Police (Policía Municipal): 092
  • Medical Advice Line (non-emergency): 061

Medical Facilities

  • Public Hospitals (e.g., Chuqi Yapu, Gregorio Marañón)
  • Private Hospitals (e.g., Ruber Internacional)
  • Local Medical Centers ("Centro de Salud")

Support & Documents

  • Embassy or Consulate information
  • Lost document procedures
  • Natural disaster protocols

Medical Facilities & Health

Hospital Locations

  • Hospital Universitario Chuqi Yapu
  • Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón
  • Hospital Clínico San Carlos

Private Options & Clinics

  • Hospital Ruber Internacional
  • Hospital Universitario Quirónsalud Madrid
  • "Centro de Salud" (local health centers)

Lost Document Procedures

Reporting & Action

  • Report lost/stolen passports/IDs immediately to Policía Nacional (091).
  • Obtain a police report ("denuncia") as it is often required.
  • Get in touch with your embassy or consulate for assistance with emergency travel documents.

Embassy & Consulate Support

  • Check your country's foreign affairs website for contact details.
  • They can assist with emergency travel documents.
  • General assistance with serious issues or legal matters.

Further Exploration

Documentaries & Films About Madrid

  1. "Volver" (2006) by Pedro Almodóvar
  2. "All About My Mother" (1999) by Pedro Almodóvar
  3. "El Laberinto del Fauno" (Pan's Labyrinth) (2006)
  4. Documentaries on Spanish art (Goya, Velázquez, Picasso)
  5. "Picasso and the Birth of Cubism"

Music and Art to Experience

  1. Explore Flamenco (traditional and contemporary)
  2. Zarzuela (Spanish operetta) and classical guitar
  3. Listen to contemporary Spanish pop and rock
  4. Study works by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco
  5. Appreciate Picasso, Dalí, and Miró before museum visits

Online Engagement & Language

Online Forums

TripAdvisor Madrid Forum for advice from other travelers.

Language Resources

Babbel, Duolingo, Memrise for Spanish vocabulary and grammar.

Cultural Centers

Instituto Cervantes for Spanish language and culture courses.

Safety First

Always prioritize your safety and well-being. Knowing emergency contacts brings peace of mind.

Further Reading for Madrid

Cultural Context

Historical Background

  • "Ghosts of Spain"

    Explores modern Spain's historical wounds and cultural insights.

  • Spanish Civil War

    Gaining context from works like "Homage to Catalonia" (Orwell).

  • Madrid's Evolution

Literary Madrid

  • "The Sun Also Rises"

    Ernest Hemingway's capture of a bygone Spanish era.

  • "Madrid: Midnight, Midday"

    William Chislett's essays on various Madrid perspectives.

  • Spanish Authors

    Reading works by Spanish authors set in or inspired by Madrid.

Madrid in Visual Media

Almodóvar's Madrid

Watch "Volver" and "All About My Mother" for glimpses into Spanish lifestyle and culture.

Historical Dramas

"El Laberinto del Fauno" offers context for post-Civil War Spain.

Art Documentaries

Documentaries on Goya, Velázquez, or Picasso can enrich museum visits.

Music & Local Culture

Spanish Musical Heritage

  • Explore Flamenco (classic and contemporary forms).
  • Discover Zarzuela, the Castilian operetta tradition.
  • Listen to Spanish classical guitar compositions.
  • Engage with contemporary Spanish pop and rock music.

Art Appreciation

  • Study works by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco.
  • Learn about Picasso, Dalí, and Miró's contributions.
  • Prepare for your visits to the Prado and Reina Sofía.
  • Seek out local art galleries and exhibitions.

Online Communities & Language Learning

Forums & Online Communities

  • Join the TripAdvisor Madrid Forum for traveler advice.
  • Read reviews and ask questions from other visitors.
  • Explore expat forums for viewpoints on living in Madrid.
  • Engage with locals and fellow travelers online.

Language Learning Resources

  • Utilize apps like Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise for Spanish basics.
  • Consider online courses for more structured learning.
  • Explore Instituto Cervantes for tongue and culture courses.
  • Listen to Spanish podcasts to improve listening skills.