Category: Madrid

Where to Watch Spain vs Argentina with Hundreds of Others in Madrid on July 19

Where to Watch Spain vs Argentina with Hundreds of Others in Madrid on July 19

Posted on by Madrid Guide

If you are in Madrid on July 19 and want to watch the FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina with a large crowd, the city will have several official public screenings. Each option offers a different atmosphere, and choosing the right one depends on whether you prefer the biggest celebrations, more space, or the comfort of an indoor venue.

Large football crowds can arrive hours before kick-off. If you want a good view of the screen, plan to arrive early. Bring water if you are watching outdoors, wear comfortable shoes, and expect security checks before entering the official fan zones.

Where is the biggest public screening?

Plaza de Colón will be Madrid’s main official fan zone. With space for around 20,000 people, it is expected to host the largest crowd and the biggest celebrations if Spain wins.

The area will include a second giant screen to improve visibility, but that does not guarantee a clear view if you arrive late. As the fan zone fills up, movement becomes slower, and leaving after the match can also take time because thousands of people will head towards the Metro at once.

If your main goal is to experience the atmosphere of watching the final surrounded by thousands of Spain supporters, this is the place to go.

Is there a less crowded alternative?

Puente del Rey, next to Madrid Río, will operate as the official overflow fan zone with capacity for around 15,000 people.

This location generally offers more open space than Plaza de Colón, making it a good option if you prefer a little more room while still sharing the match with a large crowd. Even so, you should still expect queues to enter and busy public transport before and after the game.

Because it is an official screening, you will still be part of the city’s main World Cup Final celebrations.

Can I watch the match indoors?

Yes. Movistar Arena will host an official indoor public viewing with capacity for approximately 15,000 spectators.

This option is free, but you will need a ticket to enter. Unlike the outdoor fan zones, the arena offers air conditioning and a guaranteed seat if you have secured your ticket in advance.

If you are visiting Madrid during the summer, this can be a much more comfortable choice, especially if temperatures remain high throughout the day.

What should you expect on the day?

All three venues are likely to attract large crowds. Security checks may slow entry, so avoid arriving just before kick-off. Small bags are usually easier to bring through security than large backpacks.

Mobile phone networks can become overloaded when thousands of people gather in one place. If you are meeting friends, agree on a meeting point before entering the fan zone in case messages stop going through.

Toilets will be available at the official venues, but queues are common shortly before the match starts and during half-time. Food and drinks are usually available to buy, although waiting times may increase as kick-off approaches.

Which venue should you choose?

  • Choose Plaza de Colón if you want the biggest atmosphere and do not mind large crowds.
  • Choose Puente del Rey if you want an official fan zone with a little more space.
  • Choose Movistar Arena if you prefer air conditioning, seating, and a more comfortable viewing experience, remembering that you must have a ticket even though entry is free.

Whichever venue you choose, arriving early will give you the best chance of getting a good place and avoiding the longest queues. With tens of thousands of supporters expected across the city, Madrid is likely to be busy throughout the evening.

Where to Watch Spain vs Belgium Live in Madrid: Fan Zones, Sports Bars, and Streaming Options

Where to Watch Spain vs Belgium Live in Madrid: Fan Zones, Sports Bars, and Streaming Options

Posted on by Madrid Guide

Spain faces Belgium on July 10 in one of the biggest matches of the tournament so far. It is expected to be a difficult game, but if Spain wins, they will move on to a semi-final that many football fans already consider the real final of the competition.

If you are visiting Madrid, watching the match with thousands of local supporters can be completely different from watching it in a hotel room. The atmosphere is loud, emotional, and chaotic after the final whistle. If Spain wins, expect celebrations to continue well into the night.

Where can you watch the match outdoors?

Large public screenings are sometimes announced only a few days before major matches, depending on the tournament organizers and the city authorities. Even if official fan zones change from one event to another, these are the places most likely to host large crowds or public screenings.

Plaza de Colón

Plaza de Colón has hosted large football fan zones during previous international tournaments and is usually the first place to check for official outdoor screenings. The square is easy to reach by Metro (Colón station) and has plenty of asphalt space for large crowds.

  • What to expect: Arrive at least one or two hours before kick-off if a giant screen is installed. Security checks at gated entry points and long queues are common before big matches. There is absolutely no shade here, so if you arrive early while the sun is still up, it will be scorching.
  • Nearby attractions: If you want to escape the heat beforehand, you can walk through the nearby Salamanca district or visit the National Archaeological Museum, which is only a few minutes away.

Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor is one of Madrid’s most famous squares. While it is not guaranteed to host an official city-gated giant screening, many restaurants and bars place televisions outside on their terraces during major football matches, creating a lively atmosphere.

  • What to expect: The square fills up quickly, especially when Spain is playing. If you want a seat on a terrace, arrive well before kick-off and expect to pay heavily inflated tourist-area prices for food and drinks.
  • Nearby attractions: Puerta del Sol, Mercado de San Miguel, and the Royal Palace are all within easy five-to-ten-minute walking distances.

Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol is Madrid’s central meeting place, and fans automatically gather here before and after important matches. Even if there is no official giant screen in the center of the square, dozens of nearby bars and traditional tabernas broadcast the game.

  • What to expect: This area becomes extremely crowded and boisterous if Spain wins. Public transport continues running, but local police frequently shut down or control the entrances to the Sol Metro and Cercanías station to manage crowd surges. You might have to walk to Opera or Gran Vía stations to get home.
  • Nearby attractions: While you are here, you can see the famous Bear and Strawberry Tree statue or walk up to the shopping district of Gran Vía in just a few minutes.

Sports bars around Gran Vía

If you prefer a guaranteed television and some protection from the summer heat, sports bars around Gran Vía (like James Joyce Irish Pub slightly further down towards Cibeles) are a good alternative. Many have multiple screens, English-speaking staff, and food served throughout the match.

  • What to expect: Reservations are highly recommended whenever Spain plays. Without one, you will have difficulty finding a table or even standing room shortly before kick-off.
  • Nearby attractions: Gran Vía is the main artery for shopping, theatres, and late-night restaurants if you want to continue your evening after the final whistle.

What should you expect logistically?

July evenings in Madrid are intensely warm. Even long after sunset, temperatures often remain above 25°C because the concrete and stone buildings radiate heat. Bring water if you plan to stand outside for several hours.

Public toilets are practically non-existent in open squares. You will need to use the facilities in a café or restaurant, which means buying a drink first and waiting in long lines at halftime. Mobile phone coverage is generally good, although networks can become incredibly slow or drop connections entirely when thousands of people gather in the same square and try to stream videos simultaneously.

If Spain wins, taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber or Cabify will be nearly impossible to find immediately after the match due to traffic diversions and road closures around celebration areas like Plaza de Cibeles. Plan on walking or using the Metro network instead.

Would you rather watch online?

If you prefer watching from your hotel, apartment, or anywhere with an internet connection to avoid the crowds and heat, the match will be available on Spain’s public broadcaster, RTVE.

You can follow this guide to watching Spain vs Belgium live and free online for step-by-step instructions on accessing the local stream.

If you are outside Spain during your trip or using a foreign cellular data roaming plan that blocks access to RTVE normally, this guide to watching RTVE outside Spain explains how to bypass regional blocks.

How Many Steps Do You Really Walk Exploring El Retiro Park From A to Z?

How Many Steps Do You Really Walk Exploring El Retiro Park From A to Z?

Posted on by Madrid Guide

Madrid is a city built for walkers. Wide boulevards, elegant plazas, and sunny weather practically invite you to lace up your shoes and move. But if you want a truly satisfying walking experience—something that combines nature, history, exercise, and a bit of Spanish atmosphere—there is one place that stands above the rest: El Retiro Park.

Maybe you are in Madrid waiting for kickoff at a Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid match. Instead of sitting in a café checking the time every five minutes, why not burn some energy in one of Europe’s most beautiful city parks?

The big question many active travelers ask is simple: how many steps can you actually walk if you explore El Retiro Park properly?

Short answer: a lot more than you expect.

And the long answer? Let’s take a walk.

For more detailed visitor information, opening hours, and highlights, you can also explore El Retiro Park in Madrid. If you want to discover more places like this, take a look at the full Madrid Guide and browse more Madrid attractions.

Entering the Park: The First Steps

Most visitors enter through the famous Puerta de Alcalá side, close to the elegant Salamanca district. Right away you notice something: the park is huge.

El Retiro covers about 125 hectares. That’s roughly 350 football fields of paths, gardens, monuments, lakes, and shaded avenues.

Even if you simply wander casually toward the center, your step counter will start climbing immediately.

  • Walking from the entrance to the lake: about 1,200–1,500 steps
  • A slow wander past statues and gardens: another 2,000 steps
  • A full lap around the lake area: 1,500 steps

And that’s just warming up.

By the time you reach the park’s most famous landmark—the Monument to Alfonso XII overlooking the lake—you might already be approaching 5,000 steps without even trying.

Not bad for someone who was “just killing time before a football match.”

Rowboats on the Lake (Optional, But Fun)

The large Retiro lake is the park’s social heart. Locals, tourists, musicians, and street performers gather here all day.

You can also rent rowboats and paddle around the lake.

Strictly speaking, rowing does not add steps to your pedometer. But it does add smiles.

After rowing for half an hour, most people continue walking around the lake promenade—and that’s where another 1,500–2,000 steps appear almost magically.

The Crystal Palace and Garden Paths

Next stop: Palacio de Cristal, the famous glass palace built in 1887.

Walking from the lake to the Crystal Palace takes about 1,000 steps, depending on how many statues and musicians distract you along the way.

But the real step generator is the network of smaller garden paths around this area.

Wander through:

  • The Rose Garden
  • Hidden sculptures
  • Shaded tree alleys
  • Quiet ponds with turtles

This peaceful exploration can easily add 3,000–4,000 steps without feeling like exercise.

Your pedometer now likely shows 8,000–10,000 steps.

Still no golf cart needed.

And honestly, walking is the whole point. Feeling the ground under good shoes, hearing gravel crunch beneath your feet, smelling trees and flowers—that’s the real Retiro experience.

The Hidden Corners (Where the Steps Multiply)

If you want to truly explore El Retiro from A to Z, keep going beyond the famous areas.

Walk toward:

  • The Fallen Angel statue (one of the only monuments to Lucifer in the world)
  • The Velázquez Palace
  • The quiet forest areas on the southern side
  • The wide promenades near the park’s eastern edge

Here the park becomes calmer and more local.

Joggers pass by. Families walk dogs. Elderly madrileños read newspapers on benches.

Exploring these quieter sections easily adds another 3,000–5,000 steps.

By now your total might look something like:

  • Casual visit: 7,000 steps
  • Curious exploration: 10,000–12,000 steps
  • Full Retiro adventure: 14,000–16,000 steps

Yes, one park can give you your full daily step goal.

A Short History While You Walk

El Retiro wasn’t always public.

The park originally belonged to the Spanish royal family in the 17th century. It was part of the royal palace complex and served as a place of leisure for kings and queens.

After the 19th century, the park gradually opened to the public and became the green heart of Madrid.

Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beloved parks in Spain.

Millions visit each year—but somehow it still feels peaceful when you find the right path.

Waiting for the Match? Perfect Timing

If you have a few hours before heading to the stadium for a Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid match, El Retiro is the perfect warm-up.

Instead of nervous pre-match pacing in a bar, you can:

  • Walk 10–15k steps
  • Enjoy fresh air
  • See historic monuments
  • Watch street performers
  • Maybe even row a boat

And by the time kickoff arrives, you’ll feel energized instead of restless.

Football and walking—excellent combination.

If you are planning your Madrid itinerary, check the Madrid events and activities calendar for festivals, exhibitions, and special happenings in the city.

FAQ: Walking in El Retiro Park

How many steps can you walk in El Retiro Park?

A relaxed visit typically produces 7,000–10,000 steps, while a full exploration easily reaches 15,000 steps or more.

Is there an entrance fee?

No. El Retiro Park is free to enter. Certain exhibitions inside buildings may charge a fee, but the park itself is open to everyone.

Can you walk barefoot in El Retiro Park?

Technically possible in grassy areas, but most visitors wear shoes. Gravel paths and small stones make good walking shoes the best option.

Are slippers okay for walking?

You can, but remember the park is large. If you plan serious exploring, comfortable walking shoes beat slippers every time.

Is the park cold during winter?

Madrid winters are usually mild and sunny. It can be chilly in the mornings, but walking quickly warms you up.

Can you have a picnic in El Retiro Park?

Absolutely. Picnics are common. Many visitors bring blankets, sandwiches, and fruit and relax under the trees.

Can you rent rowboats on the lake?

Yes. Rowboats are available on the large central lake and are one of the most popular activities in the park.

Are guided tours available?

Yes. If you want deeper insights into the park’s history and monuments, guided tours are sometimes available through local tour providers and Madrid sightseeing programs.

Final Step Count

If you truly explore El Retiro Park—from lake to rose garden, from statues to hidden paths—your pedometer will likely show something satisfying:

12,000–16,000 steps.

Not bad for a “casual stroll.”

And the best part?

Unlike a treadmill, every step comes with sunshine, music, history, and maybe the smell of churros drifting in from a nearby café.

Madrid walking at its finest.

Where will Spain play their Euro 2020 qualifier matches?

Where will Spain play their Euro 2020 qualifier matches?

Posted on by Madrid Guide

Spain will play their first match in the Euro 2020 qualifying stage against Norway on March 23rd. But, where will they play the matches? Will they play at the Real Madrid venue, or the Atletico Madrid venue? Or maybe at Nou Camp in Barcelona? The answer is no to those mentioned stadiums.

Spain is having one of the best national teams in the world when it comes to football. But, in the recent years they haven’t really succeeded in the big tournaments, and that is why it is important to show their fans and people of all nations that they are able to play samba-football again. But, it will not be an easy ride for them, because in their group they will play against Sweden, Romania, Norway, Faroe Islands and Malta. All these nations are capable of giving the Spanish players a hard match, and maybe especially Sweden, Romania and Norway.

Spain will play their Euro 2020 matches in Valencia.
Visit the city of Valencia if you want to watch Spain play their Euro 2020 qualifying matches. Source: Pixabay

Where will the “home-matches” be played?

When Spain will play at home in front of the local audience, the matches will be played at Mestalla Stadium in Valencia. This is the home field of the team Valencia, and it is quite a distance from Madrid. It is possible to do a day-trip to Valencia to watch a match, but I would probably spend the night in Valencia afterward, and then return back to Madrid on the next day.

Mestalla Stadium has capacity for more than 50,000 spectators, and hopefully, it will be packed with people cheering for the Spanish team, starting with their match against Norway on March 23rd.

But, the first match is also crucial if they want to win back the favor of the home crowd. If they get a draw, or even lose against Norway, then it will be considered a catastrophe in Spain. Now, Spain are clear favorites to win before the match, but with Lars Lagerback as the Norwegian coach, it is hard to consider the nation an easy opponent. Lars Lagerback managed to make Iceland an almost unbeatable nation in football while he was coach there, and after Norway won their group in the Nations League in 2018, they might look into a brighter future with the Swede as their coach. But, are they good enough to cause trouble for Spain?

Sweden is another tough opponent, and we all saw what the Swedes were capable of during the World Cup in 2018. Andreas Granqvist, the defender looking like a true viking, might be one of the biggest profiles on the team, together with the Manchester United player Victor Lindelof. But, one should not forget about Emil Forsberg, Marcus Berg, John Guidetti, and several other quality players on the Swedish team.

How to get to Valencia from Madrid?

The easiest way to travel from Madrid to Valencia is by train. At www.renfe.es you will find a chance to search for trains and to purchase your ticket right away. The trains in Spain are looking really nice, and they are quite classy!

And, to make things better, to travel from Madrid to Valencia with a train will not take you more than 2 hours. In fact, the actual travel time with most trains are around 1 hour and 50 minutes, with some trains going even faster and finishing the ride in 1 hour and 40 minutes.

The price for such a train ticket will depend very much on how early you decide to buy the ticket, but two days before the match between Spain and Norway, the cheapest train tickets will cost around 35 Euro for one way. That isn’t bad, is it?

This ride will take you to the station Valencia Joaquin Sorolla, and from there the distance to the actual stadium is 3km. If you decide to make this distance on foot, you should prepare for a walk lasting 30-40 minutes. There are also local buses in Valencia that will take you directly from the train station towards the stadium, so there are lots of ways to get easily from the train station to the stadium if that is of your interest.

But, if you first get to Valencia, why not arrive early and spend the day in the city discovering its attractions, sights and whatever the city has to offer?

12 modern photographers in the Prado Museum!

12 modern photographers in the Prado Museum!

Posted on by Madrid Guide

The Prado Museum is one of the leading art museums in the entire world. They host some of the most famous paintings, and it is one of the museums you just have to visit if you ever get to Madrid.

From September 21st till January 13th (2019), they will host a very interesting exhibition named the Twelve Photographers. This is a temporary exhibition, meaning that you will have to pay to enter, even if you should visit the museum during a “free period.” But, the exhibition is well worth the money. What is the exhibition really about?

12 modern photographers have made some exceptional works, based on what they have seen, experienced and felt inside the Prado Museum. The photos are therefore inspired by the actual works you can see inside the museum, but with a brand new touch of the modern man.

12 photographers in Prado

This is just a magnificent piece of art, isn’t it? – Source

Look at the picture above! This has got to be a great exhibition.

The picture above is an example of what you can see if you decide to check out this temporary exhibition in the Prado Museum in Madrid. The coolest is, of course, if you can see where the actual photographer has been inspired to create parts of the different photographers (meaning you recognize other paintings or parts of the museum in the paintings). But, if you are a layman when it comes to art, then these photos are so amazing, that you will enjoy them even if you have no clue about the surroundings that inspired the photos in the Prado museum.

Have you been inspired to pay Madrid a visit? The exhibition will open on September 21st and remain available until January 13th in 2019.

For more information on other events and happening in Madrid, check the following link. Do not forget to follow @worldcityguides on Steemit for updated articles, not only from Madrid but from big cities all across Europe!

Enjoy your stay in Madrid!

When can I visit the Prado museum for free

When can I visit the Prado museum for free

Posted on by Madrid Guide

I have heard that it is free to visit the Prado museum on Thursday evenings. Is that so? Can you please give me information on when I can get free entrance to the museum?

The Prado museum in Madrid is one of the most famous art museums in the world. It has a fantastic permanent exhibition, and some very interesting temporary exhibitions at all times. That makes the Prado museum one of your “have-to-visit” places during your stay in Madrid. But, if you find the 15 Euro entrance fee to be a lot, then it might sound better to visit the museum for free. But, when can you visit the Prado museum for free?

Prado museum in Madrid for free

Let us just warn you that during the free hours at the museum it is quite packed. You will, in other words, be disturbed by large crowds, meaning that if you dream of studying a masterpiece in quietness and piece, then you should pay the entrance fee and visit the museum during the daytime instead. The entrance fee is normally 15 Euro which will give you access to both the permanent and the temporary exhibitions.

When is the Prado museum open?

The Prado museum is open from 10.00 till 20.00 from Monday till Saturday, and from 10.00 till 19.00 on Sundays and other special days. The museum is closed on January 1st, May 1st and on December 25th. It has shortened opening times on January 6th, December 24th and December 31st (10.00-14.00).

When is the Prado museum free to enter?

If you want to visit the Prado museum without paying you will have to visit the Prado museum in the following timeframe:

Monday – Saturday: From 18.00 to 20.00
Sundays: Fram 17.00 to 19.00

We hope you will have a delightful stay at the Prado museum. For more information about the museum and temporary exhibitions, check this article.

Rubens oil sketches [Exhibition]

Rubens oil sketches [Exhibition]

Posted on by Madrid Guide

Rubens is the most important artist in Europe when it comes to oil sketches. Few other artists have left behind oil sketches, while Rubens has left behind more than 450 pieces. 

Rubens in Prado

In this interesting exhibition, which is a cooperation between the Prado Museum in Madrid and the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum in Rotterdam, you will be able to 82 oil sketches and around 20 drawings made by the hand of Rubens. The paintings are there to help bring the context to the oil sketches and will make this a fantastic exhibition.

The exhibition will have its premiere on April 10th in the Prado Museum and will be on display until August 5th. After that, the exhibition will be moved to Rotterdam and it will be on display in the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum.

The price for this exhibition, which will also give you access to the permanent exhibition in the Prado Museum is 15 Euro for an adult.

Would you like to know more about Madrid and what the city has to offer, look around in our Madrid Guide!

Metallica concerts in Madrid

Metallica concerts in Madrid

Posted on by Madrid Guide

Metallica Madrid 2018Metallica will start their 2018 tour in Lisbon on February 1st, and it will continue in Madrid with concerts on February 3rd and February 5th. Would you like to be there at one of these?

Metallia will tour large parts of Europe in 2018, but not all cities are so lucky that they will have two concerts. The first concert in Madrid, on February 3rd (Saturday) will start at 19.00 in the WiCink Center. The Sunday will be a day to relax and maybe watch some Spanish football, before Metallica once again enters the stage in the same venue on February 5th (Monday). Would you like to be there at one of these concerts (or maybe both)? You can buy tickets for the concerts using the ticket link beneath. Once you visit the website do a search for Metallica, and you will find available tickets for all their concerts across Europe in 2018.

Would you rather watch a football match or do something else while in Madrid? You can read more about other activities, programs and activities in Madrid here in our Madrid Guide. If you would rather listen to Metallica in Lisbon, jump on a flight to Lisbon, enjoy our airport transfer service, and listen to the rock-band on February 1st in the MEO Arena instead.

Metallica Madrid 2017

February 3, February 5 – 19.00
WiCink Center

Tickets: Viagogo

 

Shakira in Madrid 2017

Shakira in Madrid 2017

Posted on by Madrid Guide

Shakira Madrid 2017Would you like to end the week with a boom? Come to Shakira’s concert in Madrid on November 19th, and finish your week with style.

November 19th is, as you might understand, a Sunday. That makes this a perfect way to end the week and a brilliant way to start the new week tired, but high in spirit, after totally enjoying a Shakira concert the evening before. The Shakira concert in Madrid will start at 20.15, and it will be arranged in the Palacio de Deportes venue, a very popular concert venue in the Spanish capital.

Shakira seems to enjoy Spain a lot, because not only will she perform in Madrid, but she will also perform in Bilbao, Coruna and Barcelona. That is probably the nation she will spend the most time in during her Europe tour in 2017, and there are lots of nations in Europe that will not be visited at all. After the concert in Madrid, Shakira will travel to Lisbon, before she returns to Coruna, and then to Barcelona.

Would you like to be there at one, or more, of the Shakira concert in Spain in 2017? You can buy tickets for all the events using the ticket link beneath.

Shakira Madrid 2017

November 19th, 20.15
Palacio de Deportes

Tickets: Viagogo

For more information about the fantastic attractions of Madrid, look around here in our Madrid Guide.

LaLiga kick-off in Madrid

LaLiga kick-off in Madrid

Posted on by Madrid Guide

On August 20th the new season of LaLiga football will start in Spain. Already on the first match day, you can come to Madrid to watch fantastic football.

We all know and love both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. If you come to Madrid on August 20th, you will, however, not be able to watch Real Madrid play. On that day they will play against Deportivo la Coruna in La Coruna.

The other big team in Madrid, Atletico Madrid, will not play in Madrid either. They will start the new LaLiga season in against Girona.

So, how can you watch LaLiga action in Madrid, already on the first day of football? The answer is a great football pub. And do not forget, those are much cheaper than tickets for Bernabeu and Camp Nou.

One week later, on August 27th, Real Madrid will have their first home match of the season. They will then play against Valencia, and hopefully, they will get a fantastic start on their season based on these first two matches.

LaLiga kick off
Can Real Madrid win LaLiga again this year? By Marcos Mesa Sam Wordley – Shutterstock

Will Mbappe play for Real Madrid?

One of the big questions at the moment is whether or not Mbappe will play for Real Madrid in the upcoming season or not. The rumors have it, that he will leave Monaco to play for Real Madrid the upcoming season, but no official news has been given yet. The Royal team will probably do good without Mbappe as well, but if they manage to get the 18-year-old superstar to their team, then that will for sure strengthen their position in European football.

Would you like to watch Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid?

You can read more about the clubs here in our Madrid Guide. There you will also find information on how to buy tickets for the different Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid matches.

Would you rather just watch LaLiga in Spain online? It can easily be done, and in the IP Address Guide, you will find instructions on the best ways to stream LaLiga on the Internet.

Do not forget to check out the beautiful attractions of Madrid while in town, especially if you come on August 20th and suddenly discover that neither Atletico Madrid nor Real Madrid will be in town on that given day.