Thousands of Liverpool FC fans will in two weeks time be in Madrid awaiting the Champions League final.
On June 1, the all English clash will kick off, with the Reds up against Tottenham Hotspurs in a battle for the trophy.
However, although supporters may be clued up on all things football, the same is unlikely to be said for the laws of the capital they are travelling to.
Therefore, in the lead up to the much anticipated match the ECHO has put together a list of things all fans should know before jetting off to the capital.
17. No smoking in enclosed public spaces
Similar to many places in Europe, smoking is prohibited by law in enclosed public places, including bars, restaurants and clubs.
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It is also illegal to smoke near children's play areas, enclosed or open.
Fines for smoking in unauthorized areas range from €30 to €600.
16. No drinking on the streets
Madrid law prohibits drinking on the streets.
Of course, this won’t stop the vendors in the street from selling those 1€ beers in the street, but if you choose to participate in this type of out-door drinking and you are caught with alcohol on the street, you could face a fine of up to €3,000.
15. Time limit on selling alcohol
No shops in Madrid are allowed to sell alcohol after 10pm.
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This law was created to avoid a typical Spanish phenomenon called “Botellón” - a street party that usually includes vast alcohol consumption and has lead to disturbing neighbors and damaging public spaces.
14. Noise
In Madrid, there are laws in place to reduce noise nuisance.
During night hours (11pm to 7am), noise from houses and premises cannot exceed 30 decibels.
In the daytime (from 7am to 11pm) the limit is set at 35 decibels.
13. Food
Tea time in Madrid starts much later than in England with restaurants only getting busy at around 21.00 or 22.00 and they often stay open past midnight during the summer months.
Giving that dinner time is so late in Madrid, the “tapas” culture is very common and there are masses of tapas bars all over Madrid.
12. Where to sit?
Many of the restaurants and bars have terraces as well as seating areas inside, but generally the prices are different depending on where you sit.
The cheapest place to sit is at the bar, whilst the most expensive areas are the terraces.
11. Water
Visitors to the Madrid will be pleased to know that the drinking water is potable in many areas, although many travellers do choose to buy bottled water instead because they are unaccustomed to the taste or constitution of Spanish water.
10. Food and hotel tax
There are two different tax rates in Spain - 7% and 16%. You will pay 7% tax on your hotel and restaurant bills, as well as other items considered "essential". This tax is not refundable.
9. Leaving a tip
In Spain, tipping is entirely optional and it’s not very common.
You may see people leaving small change at cafés and bars and, eventually, someone tipping at a nice expensive restaurant.
But most of the time, you won’t see anyone other than tourists leaving a tip.
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8. Siesta
One of the things to know before traveling to Madrid is that many shops aren’t open between 2pm and 5pm.
Larger shops and supermarkets, especially in the city center, typically stay open all day.
7. Free snacks
In Madrid, when you order a drink, you’ll usually get a little bite to eat.
Typically this can be olives, potato chips, nuts or even a piece or cheese or a slice of cured meat! The tapa, or snack that comes with your drink, is a Madrid tradition and is generally free.
6. Uber works
There are many ways to get around Madrid.
The metro is easy to use and there are tourist passes available as well as 10-ride options which are great for short stays.
There is also a bus app called EMT which will help.
Taxi’s can also be hailed from anywhere or found at taxi stops, and apps like Uber and Cabify can also be used.
5. Weather
Although there is no beach, Madrid is is hailed for its sunny climate with about 300 days of sunshine a year.
With that in mind, those travelling to the capital should take suncream as it can get very hot.
4. Time zone
The time zone is 1 hour +BST.
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3. Pickpockets
Alike any busy city centre and tourist destination there is a risk of pickpockets.
The advice generally is to keep your belongings close on public transport, such as when travelling on the metro.
Don't put wallets or purses in your back pocket and don't put phones or other valuables down on tables in restaurants.
2. Money
Running out of cash is not a problem in Madrid, as automatic cash points can be found all over the city.
Most establishments also accept credit cards as a form of payment and Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted cards, whereas American Express and diners are less common.
You should contact your bank if you wish to find out what commission they will charge you for using your card in Spain.
1. Greeting
Don't be surprised if people greet you with two kisses on the cheek, this is the normal way to greet people in Madrid.
