Where to Stay in Madrid

Our Favorite Hotels in Madrid

– 5-star: Four Seasons
• star: Westin Palace link
• A 3-star lodging near the city center of Madrid is the Room Mate Alicia hotel.
• For couples: URSO
• For families: SmartRental
• Near train station: NH Atocha
• Near Prado museum: Mercure

a collage of photos with a cartoon character on them 1. URSO 2. SmartRental 3. Four Seasons 4. Room Mate Alicia 5. Westin Palace 6. Mercure 7. NH Atochapeople sitting on chairs at an outdoor cafe

The Best Areas to Stay in Madrid

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While the capital of Spain cannot exactly match cities like Barcelona, Granada, and Sevilla for its historic charm and unique character, it does offer plenty to see, not least the spectacular art displayed in the world-renowned Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums (including Picasso’s Guernica). It also boasts the most lively café, restaurant, and bar scene in the entire country, with madrileños known for eating and partying late into the night. Exploring the city’s historic neighborhoods is fascinating, usually without the large crowds you may find in Barcelona, for example. There is also a vast array of lodging options, ranging from luxurious five-stars to some of the best family-friendly,boutique, and budget-friendly hotels and hostels in the entire country.

Madrid Neighborhoods

Madrid’s city center incorporates several diverse neighborhoods, most of them compact and convenient to explore on foot. There is no single “best” area to stay; where you choose largely depends on your budget and interests. Most attractions in central Madrid are within walking distance from each other, and even if staying in one part of town, other neighborhood destinations are easily reachable on foot; more distant places can be conveniently accessed via a short metro ride.

Centro is considered the geographical and historical heart of Madrid. A labyrinth of medieval streets surrounds Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s grand central square, lined with gorgeous architectural structures spanning centuries. The Royal Palace demarcates the western border of Centro, while to the north, the prominent shopping avenue of Gran Vía separates Centro from the neighborhoods of Malasaña and Chueca. Dining choices around Plaza Mayor (and the nearby Puerta del Sol plaza) vary widely, ranging from fast casual eateries and small tapas bars to gourmet markets and some of Madrid’s oldest and most esteemed restaurants. Lodging consists of a blend of boutique hotels, excellent budget inns and hostels, and 5-star accommodations. This area is highly walkable but difficult to navigate by vehicle.

a crowd of people walking down a street next to a building

Equally walkable La Latina, just south of Centro, is known for its attractive architecture, Madrid’s largest flea market (Sundays), and its excellent tapas bars, many of them clustered along Calle de Cava Baja. The attractions in Centro and Retiro are a 10 to 15-minute walk from La Latina, which is a popular barrio for kicking off an evening of sampling small plates at tapas venues. Besides several reasonably priced hotels, lodging here mainly consists of low-cost options.

Lavapiés borders La Latina to the east; it shares the El Rastro flea market with its neighbor and is found just a brief walk from Retiro park and Madrid’s primary art museums. A boundary-pushing, emerging neighborhood, Lavapiés has traditionally welcomed immigrants, and is renowned for its ethnically diverse eating establishments and cluster of hip bars. There are few lodging options here – generally mid-range and low-cost selections.

BorderIng Lavapiés to the north is the neighborhood of Huertas, another compact area that locals flock to in the evenings. Huertas is considered one of the city`s bohemian enclaves, and apart from a diverse array of bars suiting any taste or budget, it provides some of Madrid`s best outdoor dining and drinking around the attractive Plaza Santa Ana. Many famous Spanish writers once resided in this district, which still houses numerous independent shops and art galleries. Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Retiro are all within walking distance, and lodgings here range from 5-star hotels to affordable accommodations.

Retiro – with its expansive park containing lakes, botanical gardens, and numerous walking paths, along with housing three prominent art museums (Prado, Museo Reina Sofía, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza) and some of Madrid’s grandest hotels – lies directly east of Huertas and Lavapiés. Unlike neighboring areas, Retiro maintains a busy atmosphere during typical working hours and remains very tranquil at night. The varied offerings within Madrid’s grandest park are consistently favored locales for both residents and visitors alike – most crowded on weekends.

Directly north of Retiro is Salamanca, Madrid’s most selective residential neighborhood. This is another daytime area, popular with shoppers searching for the latest fashions, though there is also a worthwhile cluster of upmarket restaurants and bars in the streets closest to Retiro park. Accommodation here includes many 4 and 5-star hotels. Salamanca is not as walkable as Madrid’s more central neighborhoods, but the attractions of Centro and Retiro are just a couple of stops away by metro.

Chueca, one of Madrid’s hippest neighborhoods and the epicenter of LGBTQ+ nightlife in the city, is found sandwiched between the southern half of Salamanca to the east and Malasaña to the west. Its main attractions are the History Museum of Madrid and Museum of Romanticism. During the day, the trendy restaurants lining its narrow and highly walkable streets fill with diners; at night, its bars and clubs are busy until dawn.

Malasaña, neighbor to the west of Chueca, has a grittier, edgier feel and is equally known for its nightlife scene. There are plenty of venues to choose from here, ranging from sophisticated cocktail and wine bars to craft beer joints and pulsating nightclubs; some of Malasaña’s live music venues recall the 1980s, when this neighborhood was at the heart of Madrid’s counterculture movement. During the daytime, there are independent boutiques to explore and a wide assortment of restaurants to select from, many located around or near the main Plaza de Dos de Mayo square and the predominantly pedestrian Calle Fuencarral street. Both Malasaña and Chueca are within an easy walking distance from Centro’s attractions, with boutique and affordable hotels comprising most of the lodging within the two neighborhoods.

West of Malasaña is the residential area of Argüelles, bordered by one of Madrid’s biggest parks. Argüelles and Moncloa, directly to the north, are very popular with students because of the enormous campuses located there and abundance of local bars. A brief metro ride from either connects them to Madrid’s central neighborhoods.

While exploring Madrid’s historic core on foot is fairly uncomplicated, it’s a vast city and you`ll want to benefit from its outstanding public transportation system to travel farther. The system features a subway (underground rail), light rail, and buses, with integrated individual tickets for the subway and buses just €1.50–2, and 10 trip tickets from €12.20. Additionally, the Madrid Tourist Travel Pass (TTP) provides unlimited use for 1 to 7 days (Zone A €8.40–35.40), and also incorporates the light rail. It can be useful to have a car when exploring the area surrounding the city, but there is really no necessity to use one within Madrid itself – roads are narrow, regularly busy, and parking can be difficult to locate, particularly in the city center.

The Best Places to Stay in Madrid

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a living room filled with furniture and a window

Best Neighborhoods in Madrid for…

  • Best Neighborhoods in Madrid for Sightseeing Attractions: Centro, Retiro
    The majority of Madrid`s primary attractions are centrally situated and within easy walking distance from each other, so it makes sense to stay either in Centro or Retiro depending on if one is more interested in being close to the Royal Palace(Centro) or the renowned museums(Returo). However, you don`t need to restrict yourself only to these two neighborhoods; the attractions of either can be easily reached on foot from La Latina, Chueca and other central districts
  • Best Neighborhoods in Madrid for Nightlife: Huertas, Malasaña, Chueca
    There isn’t a single best area in Madrid for nightlife; instead, several neighborhoods compete to lure in the city’s night owl clientele. Huertas is the best place to start for first-time visitors. Plaza Santa Ana and Calle Huertas offer the best choice of bars, while Kapital on Callede Atocha is one of the city’s most popular clubs. Check out “ Mi madre era una groupie” for dancing, Salmón Gurú for cocktails, and Viva Madridfor a classic old-school vibe. We also like the Caracortada,Lovo, and La Santoría cocktail bars, plus the Mexican influenced Calle 365 Callejón Secreto. Head to iconic Café Central for live jazz, or Cardamomo for flamenco.

    Hipster La Latina and Chueca are renowned for live music and LGBTQ-friendly nightclubs respectively (Plaza de Chueca is the ideal starting point for the latter), and numerous bars and clubs stay open until sunrise in both neighborhoods. Chueca’s 1930s Themed Museo Chicote is deservedly popular, as are Libertad 8 and club Teatro Barceló. We also appreciate the cocktails and popcorn at Twist & Shout Bar. In La Latina you can`t go wrong at old school bars like La Vía Láctea,Madrid me Mata, or El Penta, spiritual home of the “Movida Madrileña” movement. For dancing, check out Café La Palma,Maravillas Club,Sala Morocco,Maderfaker, and the memorably named “ El Perro de la Parte de Atrás del Coche”. The neighborhood’s iconic cafés also stay open late: Manuela and Café Ajenjo are legendary classics.

    For a more intimate underground option, consider Beneath the Streets; groups are smaller and the atmosphere is less corporate, though the guides are just as knowledgeable. Rumors indicate many of them previously worked for the other company. Tours run daily year-round lasting approximately one hour. $25/adult, $15/child.

  • Best Neighborhoods in Madrid for Food and Restaurants: Huertas and Chueca
    There’s excellent dining to be had all over the city. To generalize, you’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants and other fine dining establishments in Salamanca and points north (notably Restaurante DiverXO), fusion restaurants in Centro and Malasaña, great Indian and Bangladeshi food along Lavapiés’ ‘Curry Mile’, and traditional tapas bars dotted all over the city center – with particular concentration in La Latina and Huertas. We like and Chueca and Huertas best. In Chueca alone there’s Comparte Bistró for Andalusian-influenced dining, El Cisne Azul for seasonal menus, Kuoco 360 for fabulous fusion, Casa Salvador with its bullfighting memorabilia, and high-end Angelita Madrid. On the edge of Centro and Huertas, Lhardy has been around since 1839 and is best known for Madrileñian stew. Elsewhere in Huertas, Chuka Ramen Bar serves the best noodles in the city, Gofio specializes in the cuisine of the Canary Islands, and La Sanabresa is a cult, no-frills Spanish favorite. La Venencia is the most atmospheric spot for tapas.
  • Centro, Retiro, and Argüelles neighborhoods in Madrid are family-friendly options.

    • Centro is suitable for families because its roadways are very walkable and there are many attractions to entertain children, such as the captivating street performers in Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor. Families appreciate Retiro for its proximity to the park`s playground facilities, lakes (where rowing boats and pedalos can be rented), and abundance of open space to run around. Argüelles is less visited by tourists, but it does have the advantage of being a quiet residential area next to a huge park, with an Egyptian temple for kids to explore.

  • Best Neighborhoods in Madrid for Shopping Precincts: Centro, Salamanca
    The Gran Vía and the surrounding streets near the Puerta del Sol continue to be some of Madrid`s premier shopping zones, attracting both locals and visitors alike, with department stores such as El Corte Inglés and chains similar to Zara. For designer fashion, Salamanca is the place to go, particularly Calle de Serrano. You’ll find additional designers and independent shops scattered throughout Malasaña and Chueca. Don’t forget also the city’s biggest marketplace, El Rastro, the expansive flea market held on Sundays in La Latina.

    • a large building with a large window

  • Best Neighborhoods in Madrid to Stay for First Timers: Centro, Retiro
    If it’s your initial visit to Madrid, odds are you’re here to explore its main attractions. Centro is suitable for visiting the Royal Palace and wandering the medieval streets surrounding Plaza Mayor, while Retiro is flawless for visiting the three world-renowned art museums and Madrid’s most impressive park. Centro and Retiro are a 20-minute stroll (or brief metro ride) apart, so it’s simple to stay in either neighborhood and see all the primary sights. That being said, there is some advantage to staying in Centro over Retiro: its proximity to Madrid’s nightlife, both north and south of the center, and a wealth of accommodation to satisfy any budget.
  • Most Romantic Locale in Madrid: Centro
    While Salamanca has its share of intimate eateries, and Retiro has the beautiful park and the botanical gardens, in terms of romancing your beloved, it`s difficult to surpass the nostalgic charm of Centro’s cobbled streets and tiny medieval plazas.
  • Best Neighborhood in Madrid for a Local Vibe: Malasaña

    • It’s difficult to find a place more ‘local’ in Madrid than Malasaña. While gentrification has certainly impacted the area in recent decades, a gritty artistic vibe remains dating back to the 1980s when Malasaña was synonymous with sex, drugs, and rock music. Independent boutiques and small art galleries have replaced many of the seedier bars of the past, however tattoo parlors and plenty of graffiti left over from Malasaña’s rockin’ heyday can still be found.

  • Best neighborhood in Madrid without using a car: Centro.

    • Much of Madrid’s most beautiful structure is in Centro, and its little, charming medieval avenues are an outright bliss to wander. That said, Madrid’s city focus in its entirety, from La Latina to Retiro, is incredible to investigate on foot.

  • Safest and less safe areas in Madrid
    Some of Madrid`s most affluent regions, including Salamanca and Retiro, tend to be safer areas after dark. During daytime hours, the neighborhoods of Centro, La Latina, Lavapiés, Huertas, Malasaña, Chueca, Argüelles, and Moncloa also generally feel secure for pedestrians yet normal precautions are still advised. On weekends, sections like La Latina, Lavapiés, Huertas, Malasaña, and Chueca develop an especially lively nightlife atmosphere.

    Some parts of Malasaña, Centro, La Latina, Lavapiés, and Huertas can be unsafe at night; stick to crowded, well-lit streets with many people and avoid dimly lit, deserted ones. Pickpockets target visitors at the El Rastro flea market in La Latina and all over the city center.

The 9 Best Neighborhoods in Madrid for Tourists

1. Centro

a yellow and black drawing of a yellow and black bird

Puerta del Sol square is Madrid’s city center and Km Zero – the central point of the Iberian Peninsula. Always bustling with pedestrian traffic, Sol is an important transportation hub and a crossroads where people meet up before heading to the numerous shops, eateries, and bars in the surrounding streets. Just south of Sol is Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s main historic plaza and the focal point of medieval Madrid. There are numerous small plazas, markets, and tiny lanes to explore in this neighborhood. Notable locations include the upscale San Miguel Market, the Moorish-style Torre de Los Lujanes, and ornate Casa de Cisneros in Plaza de la Villa, the opulent Basílica de San Miguel, a grand 17th-century baroque church, and historic taverns such as Botín, which has a claim to be the oldest restaurant globally. Don’t miss also the art filled Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, one of Madrid’s lesser visited gems.

To the west, Centro is bordered by the mid-18th century Royal Palace (last inhabited by Alfonso XIII in 1931), Teatro Real (venue for operas and productions) and the massive Neoclassical Cathedral of the Armed Forces (all part of so-called Austrias or “Habsburg Madrid”), while its northern limit is Gran Vía, Madrid’s main shopping thoroughfare lined with high-end boutiques. Centro is a very walkable neighborhood where activity continues late: many restaurants and bars are located in the streets near the Plazas Mayor and Sol.

Centro provides a wide range of lodging, from luxury to excellent inexpensive hotels and some of the best hostels in the city. It’s the best area to stay for first-time visitors.

a building with a large window in front of it

2. Huertas

people walking down a city streeta black and white photo of a street sign

Sitting between Centro (specifically, Puerta del Sol) and Retiro, Huertas is the place to go to initiate your night. Calle Huertas, in particular, is lined with bars that vary from trendy to relaxed, while Calle Leon is good for independent shops, classic delis, and drinking holes of every style. Plaza Santa Ana is encircled with bars and cafes with outdoor seating, perfect for passing afternoons and evenings ( Cervecería Alemana is an old haven of Ernest Hemingway). Calle Huertas leads you directly to the Paseo del Prado and its museums, while the few streets just north of Calle Huertas (known as Barrio de Las Letras) are Madrid’s former literary quarter – writers such as Cervantes and Lope de Vega once lived there. This part of Huertas is less boisterous and more creative, with several former writers’ residences turned into museums. Cervantes is interned in the Convento de las Trinitarias, while the Casa de Lope de Vega is small but enlightening museum dedicated to the 17th-century playwright (guided visits only).

3. Malasaña

people sitting at tables outside of a restauranta parking meter with a cartoon character on it

This hip, youthful neighborhood lives for the night hours. Throughout the late 1970s and during the 1980s, Malasaña was known for its experimental La Movida Madrileña movement focused on rock music, sexual freedom, and unauthorized substance use. The tiny streets still showcase remnants of graffiti and are dotted with tattoo parlors, but vintage shops, trendy bars, cafés, and eateries have replaced much of the earlier seediness and grime. While Malasaña lacks sights besides a few small art galleries, the beautiful church of San Antonio de los Alemanes, and the main plaza, Plaza de Dos de Mayo, which honors the rebellion against Napoleon’s occupation of the city, it excels in nightlife. There are many bars and restaurants along Calle Espiritu Santo, Libertad, and Malasaña’s primarily pedestrian thoroughfare, Fuencarral. The neighborhood is a 10-minute walk north of Centro.

Malasaña is where one should look for cheaper hotels and generally lower rates – prices tend to be below those in Centro, even for higher-end accommodations.

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4. Chueca

a large building with a clock on the front of ita drawing of a street sign on a cell phone

Within easy walking distance of Malasaña and the Gran Vía in Centro, Chueca in the northeastern part of downtown Madrid is energized around the clock. Some of the city`s major attractions can be reached on foot, but in Chueca itself you`ll find the art-filled Museum of Romanticism, situated in the previous 18th-century mansion of the Marquis of Matallana, the excellent History Museum of Madrid, and the fanciful Longoria Palace, one of the city`s few Art Nouveau structures.

Personally, I prefer having internet access when traveling, as it allows me to search for information instantly, check maps, get directions, and work anytime anywhere without relying on Wi-Fi. For my trip to Costa Rica, I opted for the Holafly eSIM. It`s simple to install and comes with a fully digital configuration. Additionally, one can take advantage of Holafly discounts to obtain a Costa Rica SIM card with unlimited data very affordably.

Chueca is another great area to look for deals, with a huge selection of cheap lodging. Standards can be poor at the low-cost end – exceptions are listed below.

5. Retiro

a drawing of a cartoon character on a street sign

Situated west of Paseo del Prado and east of Av deLa Paz, the Retiro neighborhood encompasses the expansive Parque de Buen Retiro public park and the upscale residential streets immediately to the east of the city center. Within the park lies the wonderfully scenic Palacio de Cristal and the ornately tiled Palacio de Velázquez (both housing contemporary exhibitions from the Museo Reina Sofia, as well as a sizable lake used for boating.

In addition to being a home to the park, Retiro is also renowned as the location of Madrid`s `Golden Triangle` – the city`s three most important art museums. The world-renowned Museo del Prado (housing works like Las Meninas by Velázquez and The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch) is directly along the Paseo del Prado, while the private collection of Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza can be found across the street in the historic Villahermosa Palace. Situated at the southern end of Paseo del Prado, the expansive Centro de Arte Reina Sofia (with architect Jean Nouvel`s elegant modern addition) is Madrid`s largest and most comprehensive repository of contemporary art, housing works by Dalí, Miró and Juan Gris, but most famously Picasso`s Guernica. Be sure to visit the stalls opposite the museum in the Cuesta de Moyano Book Market, along the pedestrianized Calle de Claudio Moyano at the southern end of the Real Jardín Botánico. Additional attractions incorporate the National Museum of Anthropology, Naval Museum, National Museum of Decorative Arts, and the eye-catching CaixaForum, a venue for art exhibitions with a striking vertical garden facade.

Estación de Atocha, Madrid’s main train station for southern and eastern Spain, lies at the southern end of Retiro, meaning easy transfers for those journeying by train.

6. Salamanca

a drawing of a cartoon character on a sign

Just north of Retiro, this grid of wide, leafy streets and avenues represents Madrid’s most prestigious residential neighborhood. The two primary avenues here are Calle de Serrano and Calle de Velázquez. If shopping aligns with your interests, don`t miss the boutiques along the Golden Mile on and around Calle de Serrano and Calle de Claudio Coello. Stores worth looking out for incorporate Sita Murt (stylish knitwear), Nac Madrid (high-end footwear), and Isoleé (luxury mini-department store). Other attractions comprise the National Archaeological Museum (which displays the “Lady of Elche”, a rare Celtiberian bust from the 4th century BC), and Madrid’s iconic bull ring – Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las Ventas. To the north there’s wonderful (and less crowded) art collections in the Museo Sorolla and Museo Lázaro Galdiano, with the family-friendly National Museum of Natural Sciences holding a compelling collection of dinosaur bones, fossils, and giant whale skeletons. Salamanca covers a broad area, so riding the metro represents a good way to get around here. This neighborhood is liveliest during the day, though there are a few excellent bars and restaurants near the Retiro for evenings out.

Salamanca is home to some of the best luxury hotels in the city and is an expensive place to stay in general.

7. La Latina

a city street filled with lots of tall buildingsa blurry picture of a street sign with writing on it

Just a brief walking distance south of Centro lies La Latina, renowned mainly for its appealing architecture – some of the city`s earliest – and vibrant night entertainment. The neighbourhood is especially famous for its grand churches: the enormous Basilica of San Francisco el Grande with its massive dome (larger than St. Paul`s in London) and works by Zurbarán and Goya; the exquisite Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle; the church of Saint Isidore; and St Peter the Old, with its distinctive Moorish-style bell tower. Additional highlights incorporate the Museo de San Isidro, which outlines the initial history of Madrid, and Las Vistillas Garden, a popular place to view sunset. The diminutive roads of La Latina are a pleasure to explore on foot, and on Sundays the city`s largest flea market, El Rastro, occupies entire blocks, with crowds of pedestrians wandering from stall to stall to the accompaniment of street musicians. Most evenings, the tapas bars lining the roads are abuzz with life until late, with the biggest concentration located along Calle de la Cava Baja.

This area of town tends to have fewer tourists compared to Centro, and there are not many hotels – below are a few good affordable options we`ve noted.

8. Lavapiés

a blurry picture of a street sign with words on it

Sandwiched between La Latina and Huertas, and just a few minutes’ walk from both Centro and the art museums of Retiro, Lavapiés is a busy, trendy neighborhood on the south side of the city center that’s still a little rough around the edges. This ethnically diverse part of the city is renowned for its wide variety of cuisine and lively nightlife. Calle Lavapiés is locally known as “Curry Street” due to the many excellent Indian restaurants located there, and Calle Argumosa is particularly good for hipster bars and outdoor drinking. On Sundays, the large El Rastro flea market spills over into Lavapiés from La Latina.

  • Best Hotel in Lavapiés
    The Danly Hotel contact number: +84 24 6273 0564
  • Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
    The Casa du Soleil contact number: +34 673 84 50 00
  • Best Hostels
    The Match • Hotel contact number: +34 633 62 17 76
    2060 The Newton Hostel • Hotel phone: +34 919 54 17 44
    Palazzo Alfani • Hotel contact number: +39 346 033 9931

9. Argüelles & Moncloa (aka “Princesa”)

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Just north of the royal palace and Plaza de España in central Madrid, the leafy Argüelles neighborhood consists of expansive parks and residential streets. The largest park, Parque del Oeste, is home to the Templo de Debod – a reconstructed 4th-century BC Egyptian temple and a scenic spot for sunset viewing. Down by the narrow River Mazanares, the Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida houses the remains of Goya and is embellished with some of his most beautiful frescoes – nearby Casa Mingo is renowned for its roasted chicken, cider and Spanish classics. The Teleférico de Madrid cable car runs west across the river from near here to the expansive Parque Casa de Campo, home to Madrid’s Zoo Aquarium, theme parks, historic monuments, and hiking trails.

North of Parque del Oeste, Argüelles and the Calle de la Princesa smoothly transition into Moncloa, home to Madrid’s primary university, the monumental Arco de Moncloa (constructed by Franco in 1956 to commemorate his victory in the Spanish Civil War), and the Faro de Moncloa – an observation tower resembling a lighthouse with excellent views of the surrounding city. The Museum of the Americas holds fascinating collections of pre-Columbian American art, while the Museo del Traje traces the history of fashion. Further north is the Moncloa Palace, official residence of Spain’s prime minister since 1977. This part of town has a large student population, and a few lively bars, with the nightlife of Malasaña and Chueca a short walk east. The main street, Calle de la Princesa, is lined with high street boutiques and department stores. Madrid’s main attractions are a somewhat long walk or brief metro ride away; Moncloa, Argüelles and Plaza de España are the area’s primary metro stops.

There are few lodging choices beyond the busy Plaza España; it’s considerably less touristy here, dominated mainly by the huge campuses of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.

More Madrid Neighborhoods

We’ve covered our favorite neighborhoods to visit and stay in more detail above, but soccer fans should also make a spiritual journey to the wealthy Chamartín neighborhood north of the city center to see Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of one of Europe’s most renowned teams, Real Madrid (easily reached by subway). You can explore the stadium and visit the on-site museum, match tickets are available online. The finest hotels nearby are Canopy Castellana,H10 Tribeca, and AC Hotel Aitana. Fierce competitors Atlético Madrid play at the Metropolitano Stadium in the Rosas neighborhood, northeast of the city center (also with its own subway stop and small museum) – few games match the intensity of the “Derbi Madrileño” when the two teams meet.

Remaining near Madrid-Barajas Airport has little purpose unless you have an incredibly early flight (reaching the airport using public transportation can take some time relying on where you lodge). If you do necessitate staying here, Air Rooms Madrid is the most convenient (if somewhat mediocre) option for Terminal 4, situated inside the terminal. For terminals 1, 2, and 3, the hotels are all outside the airport and fairly basic: the Sercotel,Meliá, and ibis are solid chain options.

Madrid Travel Tips

  • Located about 13 kilometers northeast of Madrid`s city center is Madrid–Barajas Airport, the largest airport in Spain with connections worldwide counting 9 in North America. Metro Line 8 provides a link between terminal 1-4 and Nuevos Ministerios station, where travelers will need to change to reach downtown. Regional trains also connect directly Terminal 4 with the city center while a complimentary shuttle bus transports people between Terminal 4 and Terminals 1–3. Taxis offer a set fare of €30 into Madrid which represents a reasonable option for those with excessive luggage or desiring a time-saving mode of transportation.
  • Uber is available in Madrid, however as there are relatively few drivers, it`s generally easier and cheaper to hail or request a local taxi. Uber has confronted numerous challenges operating in Spain, not least extremely hostile opposition from local taxi unions.
  • Virtually everyone you are apt to interact with in cosmopolitan Madrid will be able to converse (or at minimum comprehend some) English, except perhaps a few taxi operators and owners of small cafés/shops. It is still advisable to learn some Spanish before your trip.
  • As with numerous cities in Europe, Madrid offers various tourist passes – as always, they provide the best value only if you plan to do significant sightseeing in a brief period. When selecting between the Madrid Digital Card or one of the several museum passes available, creating an itinerary and comparing cost savings pass by pass is tedious yet productive.
  • Bicycle leasing is available through sharing schemes like BiciMAD, which offers e-bikes with 1, 3 or 5-day passes, and several conventional cycle rental retailers like Don Cicleto. However, Madrid is not an appropriate place for siteseers to ride cycles – there are numerous slopes to negotiate and narrow lanes in the old center shared with pedestrians and vehicles. Cycle paths are not common. The Anillo Verde cycle trail encircles the city, but this is quite a distance out.
  • Free wireless internet access is provided at Madrid–Barajas Airport, as well as cafés, museums, and key tourist sites around the city such as Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Santo Domingo. Wi-fi is additionally available on city buses, regional trains, shopping centers, and at the tourist info center.

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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

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