The city rakes in more than 10 million tourists per year - and could be about to make a cultural shift to accommodate even more.

08:52, Mon, Oct 28, 2024 | UPDATED: 08:56, Mon, Oct 28, 2024

Madrid could have restaurants serve lunch and dinner earlier

Madrid could have restaurants serve lunch and dinner earlier (Image: Getty)

A prominent politician in Spain's capital has called on the city's restaurants to make a huge change to accommodate tourists.

Isabel Díaz Ayuso, a right-wing regional leader in Madrid who has been tipped to one day become the Spanish Prime Minister, has called on restaurants to open earlier.

The people of Spain are known for their culture of eating later in the day, having lunch between 2pm and 4pm and before waiting until 10pm for dinner.

But tourists from abroad who are not used to this custom can find themselves going hungry as they wait to eat.

Speaking on October 1, Ms Ayuso hailed the “elegant, creative cuisine” and “the lively bars, the centuries-old establishments and the markets” in Madrid.

People eating at restaurants in Plaza Mayor, central Madrid

People eating at restaurants in Plaza Mayor, central Madrid (Image: Getty)

For the benefit of tourists, she suggested starting lunch service at noon and dinner at 6pm.

Ms Ayuso continued: “We coined a war cry, welcome tourists. We understand that we also must adapt to those who honour us with their visit and trust us.”

Fabio Peral, 46, and part-owner of Amici Restaurant in Madrid, told the Independent that he liked the idea.

He said: “This is fabulous. I find that eating at 11pm at night is not healthy. A lot of time tourists go to eat, and the restaurant is closed. We have two waves of eating [in our restaurant]. The tourists come in at 7pm and the Spaniards come in at 9-9.30pm.

“If they are expanding the hours then it helps me maximise my restaurant. You are catering for both markets."

Ayuso says people in Madrid 'must adapt to those who honour us with their visit and trust us.'

Ayuso says people in Madrid 'must adapt to those who honour us with their visit and trust us.' (Image: Getty)

Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Mr Peral also praised Madrid for being welcoming to tourists while other locations have seen more anti-tourism sentiment.

He added: “We are not squirting water pistols at tourists like they did in Barcelona."

Like most other Spanish cities, Madrid welcomes a lot of tourists.

In 2023, the Spanish capital received over 10.6 million visitors, generating nearly £11billion for the city's economy.