A Travel Guide For Madrid
July 10, 2010 by Travel Guide Greg
Filed under Europe, Travel Guides
About Madrid
Madrid is one of Europe’s most vibrant capital cities. It embodies an intense Spanish spirit and combines both modern and classical architecture to produce a sense of old and new co-existing in true harmony. The city is famous for its great monuments, palaces and museums, as well as being a lively metropolis brimming with pubs, cafes, restaurants, discotheques and the ubiquitous tapas bars. Madrid is only home to the legendary Real Madrid football club.
How to get to Madrid
Madrid is served by Barajas International Airport, which is a major international transport hub, connecting to destinations across the world. The airport is positioned just 12km from the city centre, with a metro service connecting the two. Low-budget airlines Ryanair and easyJet both fly to Madrid from London, UK.
Madrid can also be reached by rail direct from its neighboring countries Portugal and France. Chamartín Train Station, located in northern Madrid, connects to France as well as the north and east of Spain. Atocha Train Station, located in the southern part of Madrid’s central area (Glorieta Emperador Carlos V), runs trains to Lisbon in Portugal, as well as the south and east of Spain.
Where to stay in Madrid
As one of Europe’s largest and most popular tourist destinations, Madrid is suitably equipped with a vast range of accommodation options. It is large but compact, with most of its sights within walking distance of each other, whichever of the Madrid hotels you choose will allow you easy access to the focal points of the city.
Those looking to stay in one of Madrid’s grand, historical hotels may want to consider the areas of Retiro & Paseo del Pradom, to the east of the city center. Here you will find the 4-star Hotel Durval Puerta de Alcala, which is housed in a magnificent 19th Century building.
In Salamanca, north east of the center, there are also numerous accommodation options, including the 3-star Hesperia Hermosilla. The benefits of this area include its proximity to the delightful Retiro Park, which is located just a 5 minute walk to the south.
There are also several Madrid hotels near Gran Vía, the bustling thoroughfare where the city’s street-life it at its most vibrant, with many restaurants, bars, cinemas, theaters and shops. An excellent mid-range hotel in this area is the 3-star Metropol.
Things to do in Madrid
Madrid is something of a sight-seeing mecca. It is home to a vast number of iconic landmarks, the most famous of which is the Palacio Real, the largest Royal Palace in western Europe. The city also boasts several classically-designed squares, including the Plaza Mayor which dates back to the 16th century. For shopping and nightlife, head to the bustling thoroughfare of Gran Via.
Madrid’s museums are also globally-renowned. The Museo del Prado is recognized as one of the most important art galleries in the world, whilst the nearby Reina Sofia museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza also house some of the most valuable private collections on earth. Together with the Caixa Forum, this quadrumvirate make up the area of Madrid known as the Avenue of Art.
For something a little easier on the senses, a visit to Madrid would remain incomplete without a relaxing amble around the Rastro Flea Market, which is a hive of activity on Sunday mornings when locals and tourists alike come to pick up a bargain or two and enjoy the atmosphere. Another tranquil way to enjoy the city is by wandering through Retiro Park, Madrid’s largest and most attractive green space.
Madrid nightlife offers something for everyone, and ranges from quite tapas bars where you can sample the national cuisine to raucous nightclubs that stay open until the sun rises. Things start late here – often past 11pm, and that’s just for eating. Popular areas for nightspots include Puera del Sol, Gran Via, Huertas, La Latina, Chueca, Malasana and Salamanca.
