Points for Attention Madrid

Shops in Madrid open at 9 or 10 am and close between 8 and 10 pm, and most of them don’t close over lunch. Some, especially those far from the city center, close from 2 to 4 or 5 pm.

In Madrid, shops don’t have restricted opening hours, as local regulations governing shopping days and times grant retailers freedom to close or remain open. The shops and businesses in the districts on the tourist map, mostly Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía, will be open even on Sunday and bank holidays.

To have lunch at a restaurant table, it’s advisable to arrive before 3:30 pm, or before 11 pm for dinner. However, you can still find kitchens open later than this. And if you don’t, you can always go tapas, as tapas bars and restaurants have more flexible hours.