keep_walking

Hi,

I and DH will be travelling to Madrid and Barcelona on April 30 to May 10, 2009. Just realize after plane tickets are issued that May 1 &2 are public holidays in Spain. Since we'll be spending time in Madrid during those 2 days, is there something we should plan ahead, like musuems close, early hours of shopping, etc.? This will be our first trip to Spain and we'll only be in Madrid from April 30 till May 2 (leaving for Barcelona on May 3 morning).

Thanks!

lincasanova

May 1st almost everything will be closed except for restaurants and some entertainment. But the 2nd should be normal.

FrankS

Madrid is a great place on May 1st w/ideal weather. Last year we watched as the Royal Family presided over a parade at the Plaza Mayor. All the restaurants were open, and what museums that are open are free.

keep_walking

Thanks, lincasanova & FrankS.

If almost everything will be closed on May 1, should we head for a day trip in Toledo on May 1 instead? Or everything in Toledo will be closed as well?

My DH has a preference to visit Real Madrid museum/stadium as he's the big fan. Will it open on May 1?

And I have a LONG list of Zara and Mango to shop for my friends/relatives. Will the shop be open on May 1?

Thanks again.

FrankS

It looks to be open, but double check w.them

http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satelli...adium_Tour.htm

cruiseluv

Hello kepp walking,

I was in Barcelona last year on May 1 and all the dept stores like Corte Ingles and Zara were closed. Also, markets like La Boqueria and some museums were closed as well. I would imagine the same would apply to Madrid. As far as I know , May 2 is not a holiday.

lincasanova

Stores and shops will also be closed. But the 2nd all will be open.

May 1 is a National Holiday.Probably a nice day to go somewhere and stroll around seeing things from the outside. You can google all your sites and read their closure dates.

You can tour the stadium and have lunch or dinner at Puerta 57 if you like.

Also it seems the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo is open holidays.

keep_walking

Thanks again, FrankS, cruiseluv, and lincasanova.

We might just go visit Toledo or Segovia on May 1 instead. And spend May 2 in Madrid. Hope it's better this way.

Have to check whether major sites in Toledo will be closed on May 1 though. Any thoughts?

Thanks

FrankS

I would imagine there will be closures that day in Toledo, and more importantly traveling will be a hassle that day.

keep_walking

Hi FrankS - so we should be better off exploring whatever open in Madrid on May 1 then? I didn't realize that May 1 is such a big holiday! In Thailand (my hometown), May 1 is just like normal Sat/Sun.

Christina

May 1st is International Labor Day, it is a major worldwide holiday. Because it is national, it won't do you any good to go to some other city. In fact, the most things open are often in the biggest city on holidays.

nytraveler

May 1 is a major holiday - Labor Day - throughout europe - and usually most everything but some restaurants will be closed everywhere.

Check carefully before setting out on a day trip with little to do when you get there.

Alec

Most sights seem to be open in Toledo on May 1st, including the cathedral, various churches and museums.

FrankS

keepwalking,

May 1st is lots of fun in Madrid, especially if you speak Spanish. I wouldnt travel to Toledo, just stick around and visit the pubs near stadium. Either that or take in the parades, street performers and Tapas bars.

victor_d

2nd of May is regional day of Madrid and public holiday in all province, is not holiday in Toledo, Segovia,... (different regions).
3rd of may, first sunday of month, department stores, and shops in the center will be open.

May 1st holiday most museums will be closed, Prado for example, but open on 2nd of may. It's hard to choose which day visit Toledo and which day stay in Madrid.

keep_walking

Really difficult to choose between Madrid and Toledo on May 1.

Since we'll arrive Madrid in the morning of April 30, how about this.... we visit must-see museums on April 30. Then chill out in Madrid on May 1 (stadium tour, tapas bars, etc.) and head to Toledo on May 2.

Better, you think?

Thanks!