CORALS II Conference Location and Other Venue Information

SPANISH NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (CSIC) Main Campus

Serrano, 117
28006 Madrid—Spain
Website: http://www.csic.es

The CSIC main campus is located in one of the most important and commercial streets of Madrid, in the Embassies quarter, not far from downtown, 10 minutes walking distance from the Paseo de la Castellana, 30 minutes by Metro from Puerta del Sol (downtown center), and half an hour by taxi from the Madrid-Barajas International Airport.

Access:

From/to the airport: Barajas International Airport consists of two different sets of buildings:

Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are located together and handle both national and international flights by all airlines NOT belonging to the OneWorld consortium. They are close to the city (15 km = 9 miles) and they have direct metro and bus connections with downtown. As the distance is shorter, taxi fares are unexpensive (20–25 € to/from downtown),

Bus
Line 200. Avenida de América – Airport – Avenida de América. Red EMT buses. 5:20 to 23:30, every 10 to 15 minutes
Single ticket, 1 €; metrobús (ten journeys), 6.40 €. This travel card can also be used on the underground network. Children under four are free.

Metro (Underground)
Line 8. Nuevos Ministerios–Aeropuerto Terminal 1 2 3–Nuevos Ministerios. 6.05 a 2.00 am.
single: 2 €; Children under four are free.

Taxi
To hail a taxi you must go to the taxi ranks. Please ignore any offers for taxi services inside the terminals. Check that the taxi puts the meter on at the beginning of the journey (flag down). For trips to and from the airport, there is an extra charge of 4.20 €, so the total amount is the meter amount plus the extra fee. There is no extra charge for baggages. (Ask for a receipt in case you wish to make a complaint.)

Terminal 4 is almost a different airport, served by the Spanish main airline Iberia and other members of the OneWorld consortium. It is a large, modern, and beautiful building and now it is served by metro. As it is located farther away, taxis are more expensive (30–35 €). Both sets of terminals are conected by bus (no walking is possible). Please, take into account that Terminal 4S is part of Terminal 4: It is used for international flights mainly outside Europe. It is connected with the main building by a small train, so you will need to allow plenty of time for transfers (at least 30 minutes).

Bus
Line 204. Avenida de América – Airport Terminal 4 – Avenida de América. Red EMT buses. 5:20 to 23:30, every 10 to 15 minutes
Single ticket, 1 €; metrobús (ten journeys), 6.40 €. This travel card can also be used on the underground network. Children under four are free.

Metro (Underground)
Line 8. Nuevos Ministerios–Aeropuerto Terminal 4–Nuevos Ministerios. 6.05 a 2.00 am.
Single: 2 €; Children under four are free.

From/to downtown:

There are TWO metro stations (Republica Argentina and Nuevos Ministerios) close to the CSIC main campus, but the best option is the Republica Argentina station of line 6 (also known as Circular o Grey line). Nuevos Ministerios (lines 8 and 10) is not a good option if you have to carry heavy bags.

By bus the following lines stop in the vicinity of the CSIC: 16, 19, 51 (Serrano Street) and Circular, C1, C2, 7 in the nearby Republica Argentina Square. Important: If you are moving from downtown, the buses stop at Velazquez Street, which is parallel to Serrrano Street.

Public transportation

Buses and metro have combined fares:
1.00 € for a MetroMadrid single trip (Fare zone A)
1.50 € for a combinated Metro single ticket (Fare zones B1, B2, B3)
6.40 € for ten-trip ticket (Metrobus). Ten-trip tickets are also valid on the buses.

Taxis can be hailed by simply waving your hand. They are also available by phone: Radio taxi: + 34 91 447 51 80 / + 34 91 405 55 00 / + 34 91 445 90 08

Hotels

There are several good hotels located close to the CSIC Central Campus and not far from the city center. Participants must make their own hotel reservations. The organizers have arranged for blocks of rooms at favorable rates at several area hotels; for more information, please read the "Accommodations" section of the second announcement.

Climate

In the month of May the weather in Madrid is normally very pleasant, with average maximum temperatures of 72°F. Most buildings and public facilities are air conditioned. Rain is infrequent but there are occasional summer storms.

Time Zone

Spanish peninsular time is Central European Time (CET) or GMT + 1 h.

Tax

A value-added tax (VAT) is levied on most goods and services at a standard rate of 16% (6% on books) and is included in all retail prices. Citizens from outside the EU can claim a VAT refund at the airport (but this is a cumbersome procedure, and is probably only worthwhile for expensive items).

Electricity

Spain has 50 Mhz, 220 volt current. Plug sockets are European continental standard (two rounded pins).

Currency

Euro (=100 cents). You can change your currency in the airport or in any bank (including the popular savings banks, CajaMadrid or La Caixa), but the easiest option is to obtain money directly from the automatic tellers. 1 Euro is about 1.3+ U.S. dollars or 0.6+ UK pounds, but check a currency converter for the last update.

Credit Cards

All international credit cards such as Visa, Eurocard/Mastercard, American Express, and Diners Club are widely accepted at all major hotels, stores, and restaurants but not in taxis. You may be requested to show your passport as identification.

Visas

Spain is a member of the European Union (EU) and a signatory of the Schengen treaty, so an ID card will probably be sufficient for most EU citizens, but a valid passport will be required to enter the country in other cases. Please check individual requirements with regard to visas.

Culture and Museums

Madrid is one of the major capitals of the arts. Its galleries and museums are among the finest in the world. It is necessary to set aside a significant amount of time if you want to capture the full flavor of what Madrid has to offer.

If you are unable to stay over for long, you will almost certainly find that you have more than enough to keep you busy in Madrid’s three most important museums along the “Walk of the Art”: Prado, Thyssen, and Reina Sofia Museum. These three museums are located near the city center, all within walking distance of one another, forming what is known as the “golden triangle.” Although it is possible to visit all three museums in a single day, those who try will no doubt end their tour with sore feet!

Madrid is also a lively metropolis with many pubs, cafés, discotheques, and nightclubs open late into the night, where you could discover, for example, flamenco dancing.

Gastronomy

Since Philip II made Madrid the capital of Spain, numerous recipes and culinary influences from all the regions of the country have been incorporated into its cuisine, so it is practically impossible to say which dishes are original and which are imported. Today Madrid offers a more Spanish than regional type of cooking.

Typical dishes are mainly hotpots, such as the well-known Cocido Madrileño with chick-peas. Among regional specialities, the delicious asparagus from Aranjuez and the very typical Sopa de Ajo — a soup made of garlic — are delicious.

There are many dishes of lamb and veal, although surprisingly (considering its geographic location), Madrid is a real paradise for fish lovers. It has the second biggest fish market in the world (after Tokyo), and in shops as well as in many restaurants you will find a wide selection of fish of extraordinary quality.

In addition to these specialities, “tapas” are a venerable gastronomic tradition. Served as appetizers with wine or beer, these savory titbits are a distinctive feature in many bars and restaurants throughout the city.

Click here for a map of restaurants in the surrounding area and their estimated cost.

Other Cities

Distance between Madrid and other major Spanish cities:

Toledo: 71 km, Segovia: 87 km, Salamanca: 200 km, Valencia: 352 km, Granada: 423 km, Córdoba: 394 km, Sevilla: 462 km, Barcelona: 621 km.