Lunches:
There is a canteen right by the building in which the venue is located (basement level), which offers a full menu (starter, main dish, dessert, bread, and drink) at 6 euros, self-service (for a regular service, there is a more quiet room on the right side of the canteen for an extra euro charge). In addition, the array of buildings around the Faculty of Sciences offer their own canteen services. We in particular recommend the one at the "Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas", the building just across the main park in front of the Faculty of Sciences (entry on the back). In addition, the canteen at the Faculty of Sciences at the basement level offers a free-of-charge service of microwaves for those bringing their own food. Automatic food and coffee dispensers are also available near the main entry of the building. For coffee lovers, the "Banco de Santander" offices in front of the "Botanical Gardens" (5-minutes walk from the Faculty) employs professional baristas in preparing exceptional coffee at 2-euros rates (40% discount for Banco de Santander clients), while also offering a work space for free.
The Faculty also has it share of automatic vending machines, and has quite a number of seats in the main floor to eat your food, with convenient space where you can also work (note that this is a passing corridor, so it can be noisy sometimes).
For further suggestions, please do consult any of our LOC staff. We shall be glad to help you.
Safety:
According to Numbeo, Madrid's safety index is 73.3, which makes it one of the safest capital towns in the whole of Europe and in the entire world, and this is compatible with the local's regular experience of living here. Violent crime is exceedingly rare, and most of downtown areas are very safe, even at night. Nonetheless some precautions are advised in some quarters of the town, particularly at night: Lavapies have some blindspots in which non-violent assault for cash/phones is not to be dismissed, and the most active quarters at night (Malasana, Chueca) may harbor some troubles related to heavy drinking. Pickpocketing may be a problem as well, particularly at those subway stations passing nearby Sol station. While sexual violences are also rare, and lots of people in Madrid safely walk at almost every hour of the day, obvious precautions should be taken at late night hours. In particular, deep almost-hidden areas of the Parque del Oeste (which you could perhaps cross in your way to/from the Venue) should be avoided at night, since troubles have been reported from time to time. Otherwise, walking/jogging/relaxing in public gardens is mostly safe.
Weather:
Madrid is quite a dry town (60 days of raining a year), and heat by the conference's dates can be a real issue, with temperatures frequently seen above 40 degrees (celsius). It is strongly adviced to check that your accomodation has air conditioning, otherwise the experience (particularly when trying to sleep) can be tough. We advise all participants to carry their own water bottle with them, and make sure you replenish it frequently, since public fountains in Madrid are not so abundant as they should be. Most restaurants, coffee places, etc, however, have air conditioning.
What to do in the city of Madrid:
Madrid is a modern, vibrant, friendly, lively, and fully walkable town. People are exceedingly welcoming, with more than half of its population having born outside of the region. The variety, range, and number of cultural, gastronomical, and partying activities are astromically large, impossible to summarize but we can offer you some tips.
The backbone of the town is formed by the triangle formed by Plaza de Espana, Sol, and Plaza de Cibeles, and where most of the tourists are gathered. The quarters of the town are very different in terms of architectural design, types of activities, sociological background, and ways of enjoying life. Please, do walk the town and consider visiting the following quarters: all area around Sol square for sightseeing; the Opera-Palacio Real-Catedral de la Almudena por cultural recreation; Malasana/Chueca at both day and night for restaurantes, coffees, and bars; the Salamanca quarter for its peaceful and relaxed style, full with fancy restaurantes; el Retiro for the most well known and easible reachable downtown park; la Latina for its rephreshing mixture of cultural and coffee/restaurant activities; Lavapies for its multicultural essence; el Barrio de las Letras for its history related to some of the greatest spanish writers and artists; Arguelles with its promenade bordering the "Parque del Oeste" and ending at the "Templo de Debod" park for a little relax with incredible views at dusk, crossing in your path the "Teleferico", a cable railway taking you (one way, or return) from there to the middle of Casa de Campo (see below).
A little bit of the beaten track you can finally find the incredible sportive and suitable-for-families and sportive-physicists promenade of "Madrid Rio" (more than 8 kilometers long, which has recently undergone a further extension) bordered at its northwest limit by the Casa de Campo, a massive urban park with a staggering 18-kilometers of perimeter, including a zoo, a theme park, and a lake bordered by several coffes and restaurants.
The variety of cultural life is unbelievable. Teathers (more than 70!), plenty of cinemas, concerts, live music every day, and lots and lots of museums and cultural visits available to all pockets. For full details please do check Turismo Madrid, and we also encourage you to do your own search using Google Maps. Most cultural offerings have updated webpages for tourists.
Food and drink:
Madrid is an attractor pole of the very best Spain has to offer, and this is reflected on its cuisine. You can find basically every cuisine style of the entire planet, particularly within the M30 region - and for sure on downtown -. While there are only a few typical regional dishes, all varieties of spanish food are available everywhere. Nonetheless, a typical "bocadillo of calamares" cannot go without trying during your stay, and a hot chocolate with "churros" or "porras" at the classic "Chocolateria San Gines" is a must (but we prepared to queue for a while!). Up to 20 euros a regular dinner can be a reasonable price and, in addition, there are plenty of places offering daily "menus" (usually just for lunch time) at 10-15 euros during week times, and 15-20 euros at weekends. Note that at the moment restaurants (particularly for dinners at weekends) are on high demand, and you are strongly recomended to book a table of your favourite place well in advance. To that end, we encourage using The Fork where discounts can also be found.
Night life:
Madrid's night life can be enjoyed 24/7 non-stop, from Monday to Sunday. Most fun is located at the Malasana, Chueca, Sol, Lavapies, Latina, and Barrio de las Letras areas, though every quarter of the town has its share. Students can also benefit from cheaper prices at the Moncloa area. Cocktails places are also becoming increasingly popular.