Master the Madrid Daily Routine!
by Riya Khosla
A Day in the Life Guide to Local Hours, Meals, and Nightlife
In Madrid, days start later in the morning and end later in the evening! Here’s a typical schedule that you’ll follow in Madrid + some good information to know!
MORNING
Mornings usually start at 9/10 earliest, with breakfast usually consisting of a coffee/tea and toast with some toppings. One of the most common toppings are tomatoes and olive oil. If you’re heading to campus, you’ll most likely travel with the morning commuters on the bus/metro!
Many clothing stores/boutiques will not open until 10am or later, but feel free to frequent the parks during this time or engage in parts of your routine like going to the gym or going on a walk!
AFTERNOON
Lunch starts later, typically lasting between 1-3. During the afternoons you’ll find many people sitting at bars or cafes drinking Tinto de Verano (Sangria), or some variety of wine or beer. When the weather is warm, there are many tables set outside and in plazas which many residents frequent. Unlike the US, many cafes will stop serving food after 3/3:30 PM, so make sure to get there at a good time!
Around 5 till 6/7pm, you will find many cafes serving food for “Merienda,” a light afternoon snack typically accompanied by a drink. This could either be alcoholic, or be coffee, tea, or even orange juice. These snacks can be sweet, such a croissant, or savory, such as cured meats!
EVENING
Dinner time does not begin until 8:30PM earliest, so keep that in mind when scheduling when you will eat! Madrid has a very diverse restaurant scene, and some great restaurants all around the city! My favorite area to frequent is the Salamanca area!
In the evening, you will find many people walking their dogs, engaging in conversations at a local bar or restaurant, or even doing some shopping. If you’re still feeling energetic, most bars will be open after dinner! If you’re feeling a club, make sure to get some coffee beforehand, for most of them open at 12AM!