Madrid Travel Guide

Useful Infomations to stay in Madrid

MADRID OVERVIEW

Madrid landscape is shaped by its religious and Royal history. Enormous, monolithic cathedrals and churches are plentiful in Madrid, as well as medieval architecture, and art museums, amongst them the Museo del Prado being internationally recognised as one of the world's premier galleries, particularly for European art and the Reina Sofia museum which houses Picasso's incredible work "Guernica".

Although nowadays Madrid is just as much a cosmopolitan city as Berlin or London, full of new architecture, trendy places and modern galleries, Madrid has also a relentless nightlife.

Madrid has exceptional live music scene, a feast of tapas bars, and a population that’s mastered the art of living the good life. It’s not that other cities don’t have some of these things. It’s just that Madrid has all of them. Plus, the city has capitalized on Spain's growing reputation as a culinary center with a wide selection of traditional establishments and trendy new restaurants.

Madrid's popularity is reflected in its number of destination websites.

WHAT TO SEE AND WHAT TO DO IN MADRID

Nearly all of the most famous tourist areas are located in the historical center of Madrid, middle south of the city.

Madrid has several emblematic landmarks such as the Almudena Cathedral, Palacio Real, which is the largest Royal Palace in Western Europe, the Plaza Mayor, a spectacular Castilian square which dates back to the 16th century, the Puerta del Sol, Madrid and Spain's spiritual heart, since from this square all points on Spain's 6 major national roads are measured, and the Gran Vía, one of Madrid's main shopping streets connecting the spacious Plaza de España square with the magnificent old city gate of Puerta de Alcalá.

Of course the above mentioned Museo del Prado and Reina Sofia Museum cannot be missed if you are an art enthusiast. A visit to Spain's capital wouldn't be complete without a stroll in the Retiro Park and around its Rastro Flea Market, which is a Sunday morning tradition for thousands of locals and tourists alike.

Madrid possibly has the largest number of bars per capita of any European city and a very active nightlife. Madrileños are known to stay up until as late as 5AM-7AM. I

t is quite common to see a crowded Gran Via on weekend nights. It is important to note that, due to this lifestyle, lodging located near the fun areas may end up a nightmare for light sleepers if your window matches the street.

And if you look for some daytrips, just get a train and in less than one hour reach UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Alcalá de Henares, where the famous writer of Quixote, Cervantes, was born, Aranjuez with its the Palacio Real, the summer home for the Bourbons Kings, El Escorial,  a mountainous retreat home to Spain's largest monastery, the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, and the  medieval cities of Segovia, home to the famous Roman aqueduct, and Toledo, the walled city previously home to the kings of Spain.

GETTING THERE

GETTING AROUND

Very easy and cheap to travel, Madrid has a very modernized and elaborate transportation network of buses and Metro.

The city contrasts with some large European cities in that it is extremely clean, and city employees in bright yellow vests can almost always be seen cleaning the streets and sidewalks.

Buses and subways are form an integrated network and work with the same tickets.

Riding a bicycle in Madrid is quite dangerous because there is no reserved section of the road for bikers, and drivers are not used to seeing bicycles in the city.  

MADRID USEFUL INFORMATION