Madrid

Travel Guide

Madrid
Madrid
Almudena Cathedral
Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the stylish,cosmopolitan and bustling capital of Spain.With its vast array of major parks, museums and galleries, cafés, and ornatechurches, this is a city that’s going to keep you entertained. The livelyatmosphere, fascinating history, renowned museums and stunning architecturemake Madrid one of the most popular cities inEurope.

In the city are some of the largest art galleriesin the world, and visitors could become lost in them for days. Tour of thePrado Museum (Museo Nacional del Prado) and peruse the works of great artists likeGoya and Velázquez, or visit the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (MuseoThyssen-Bornemisza), which displays collections spanning different centuriesthroughout history, from medieval realism to modern art. And don’t forget tostroll through the Reina Sofía Museum (Museo Nacional Centro de Arte ReinaSofía) and admire the domestic works by Spanish masters such as Picasso andDalí.

When it’s time to fuel up, enjoy lunch in the mainsquare, the 18th century Plaza Mayor, or take a tour through the old town hall(Casa del Ayuntamiento).

The King of Spain now lives on the outskirts of thecity, meaning visitors can visit to the Royal Palace in the centre (PalacioReal) with its richly decorated rooms and impressive array of treasures. Wealso recommend you check out the AlmudenaCathedral (Santa María la Real de la Almudena), the construction ofwhich took more than a century.

The iconic Puerta de Alcalá can be found on thecorner of El Retiro (El Parque de Retiro), an impressive green space witharchitectural jewels, gardens and ponds, and the Casa de Campo is an evengrander city park. Visit the Natural History Museum (Museo Nacional de CienciasNaturales) and find out all about the local flora and fauna, amongst otherthings.

Spend an evening visit to Puerta del Sol. You’llfind some of the best 'tabernas' and clubs of Madridaround this square. Traditionally, people eat here quite late, so if you wantto join the Spanish locals, then you better be willing to come out at midnight.Make sure you try the local cuisine, including tapas and paella – you won’t bedisappointed – and wash it all down with a refreshing sangria or Rioca.

Madrid is one of themost dynamic cities in Europe. You are guaranteed to love this city!

Where to stay in Madrid

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Madrid Centro

4.5/5(745 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Madrid Centro. Check out top attractions like Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, and jump on the metro at Sol Station or Gran Via Station to see more of the city.

Madrid Centro
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Salamanca

4.5/5(128 area reviews)

Salamanca is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like El Corte Inglés and Golden Mile. See more of Madrid by jumping on the metro at Serrano Station or Velazquez Station.

Salamanca
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Sol

If you're spending time in Sol, check out sights like Puerta del Sol or Plaza Mayor and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Sol Station or Callao Station.

Sol
Chueca featuring café lifestyle and a city as well as a large group of people

Chueca

4.5/5(65 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Chueca, you might enjoy attractions like Gran Via and Plaza de Chueca. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Chueca Station to see more of the city.

Chueca
Madrid showing railway items

Atocha

4.5/5(30 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Atocha, you might enjoy attractions like Atocha Station Memorial and Paseo del Arte. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's fascinating museums before hopping on the metro at Mendez alvaro Station to see more of the city.

Atocha
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Barajas

4/5(64 area reviews)

Travellers choose Barajas for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Barajas Station or Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3 Station and check out top sights like Juan Carlos I Park.

Barajas
Hotel Emperador
Hotel Emperador
4 out of 5
Gran Via 53, Madrid, Madrid
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,662 reviews)
"Staff, and breakfast was excellent"

Reviewed on 18 Jun 2025

Hotel Emperador
Zleep Hotel Madrid Airport
Zleep Hotel Madrid Airport
3 out of 5
Avenida de Aragón 402, Madrid
The price is €63 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
€63
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Madrid. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,078 reviews)
"Nice hotel, very kind and helpful staff."

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

Zleep Hotel Madrid Airport
Hostel Las Rosas
Hostel Las Rosas
2 out of 5
Paseo de Ginebra 45, Madrid
Stay at this hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions El Retiro Park and Prado Museum are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (96 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 15 Feb 2025

Hostel Las Rosas
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Gran View Apartments
Gran View Apartments
4 out of 5
C/ Gran Vía 48, Madrid, Madrid
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,148 reviews)
"Good apartments, lots of space and a good location. You can easily walk to the majority of tourist spots fairly quickly (a few minutes to about 20 minutes walk). Parking is availabl in the same building area but it is very expensive."

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

Gran View Apartments
Smartr Madrid Gran Vía 47
Smartr Madrid Gran Vía 47
3.5 out of 5
Calle Gran Vía 47, Madrid, Madrid
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (357 reviews)
"Helpful staff in walking distance to all the places I wanted to see"

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

Smartr Madrid Gran Vía 47
Suites Viena Plaza de España
Suites Viena Plaza de España
3 out of 5
Juan Alvarez Mendizabal 17, Madrid, Madrid
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,256 reviews)
"Good breakfast, good restaurant around and within walking distance from metro."

Reviewed on 5 Jun 2025

Suites Viena Plaza de España
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Madrid

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
736
5 - Excellent 64%
4 - Good
362
4 - Good 31%
3 - Okay
56
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
4
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Visits to The Prado, Thyssen Bornemisza and Reina Sofia Museums fantastic. Plaza Santa Ana great for nightlife. Atocha Station very near. Trip to Toledo by train well worth it.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Locals very friendly in a cosmopolitan city would love to visit again

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely city

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Really lovely capital.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Having been a citicen of the capital I enjoy my stay

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Cut is clean and easy to get around on foot. Seems quiet for a capital city. Liked the fact that people live in the city centre