Traditions and customs in Madrid

1. Late dining

Lunch from 14:00, dinner from 21:30. Restaurants serving dinner at 19:00 are catering to visitors.

2. Sobremesa

The long conversation over the cleared table after a meal. Nobody brings the bill until you ask.

3. El Rastro

The Sunday flea market through La Latina, running since the fifteenth century.

• Best time: Sunday morning
• Tip: Extremely crowded and correspondingly good for pickpockets.

4. Flamenco tablao

Andalusian in origin but with serious venues in Madrid; a tablao is a small room where the dancers' feet are audible.

• Tip: Rooms seating fewer than a hundred give a completely different experience from the dinner-show format.

5. Verbenas

August neighbourhood street festivals with chotis dancing and traditional dress in the old quarters.

• Best time: August