Madrid Hotels

Madrid Hotels

Spain's colorful capital is a major destination for arts and culture, with many creative people inspired by the lively atmosphere of the city. You'll find beautifully preserved examples of architecture, from Baroque to Neoclassical, and many buildings and attractions that once belonged to royals, as well as stylish modern buildings that keep the city on the cutting edge of design. Madrid is also well known for its nightlife, whether you want to sip sweet, boozy cocktails in a hip bar, or dance the night away as music thumps all around you away in a megaclub.

Things to see

The Museo Nacional del Prado is Spain's national art museum, hosting an enviable collection of European artworks from the 12th to 19th centuries. This grand, Neoclassical building has huge marble columns on the inside, and vast galleries inside with high domed ceilings. You'll be able to enjoy one of the world's largest collections of Spanish art, from Goya to Velázquez, as well as other European masters from Rubens to Bosch, with dramatic oil paintings and serene statues. If you need a quiet stroll, then the spacious Parque del Buen Retiro is the largest park in Madrid, with over 300 acres of perfectly maintained lawns, statues, gardens, and other exciting sights to stumble across. One of the most visited area is the Monument to Alfonso XII, a bronze statue that stands 30 meters above the artificial lake, and you'll often see people sitting on the statue's steps, relaxing in the sunshine. The park used to be owned by the Spanish monarchy, and a great place to learn more about the eras of kings and queens is at the Royal Palace of Madrid. This 18th century Baroque palace is still used for state ceremonies, but it mostly stands as a monument to the country's royals, with vast rooms filled with oil paintings, oversized chandeliers, and many decadent details that made it fit for royalty.

Hotels in Madrid

As with any European capital, there's accommodation to suit all sort of tastes and budgets, so whether you're looking for luxury hotels in Madrid, or a comfortable hostel, you'll enjoy plenty of choices. If you're looking to blow your budget, then Madrid has many high end accommodation choices, from historic buildings turned into classic hotels, to cool contemporary stays in hip design hotels. You'll enjoy plenty of facilities, from free WiFi to rooftop bars, with many hotels offering health clubs and full service spas. If you want to travel in Madrid on a shoestring, there are many affordable hotels and charming hostels, with clean, comfortable rooms, and extras such as free breakfasts and cable television.

Where to stay

The Retiro neighborhood is an excellent choice for tourists, with the major attractions just a short stroll away. A large area of the district is taken up by the Parque del Buen Retiro, and outside of the parkland you'll find many historic buildings that have been turned into hotels, classic examples of Baroque architecture, and narrow streets that make for enjoyable walks. The upmarket district of Salamanca is a great place to shop, with a pedestrianized area full of designer boutiques from some of the world's most famous brands. The district has a mixture of new and old, with many contemporary designed buildings hosting 5 star hotels, and iconic sights such as the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the home of the Real Madrid soccer team.

How to get to Madrid

Flights from around the world land at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, with several terminals covering domestic and international arrivals. The airport is just a 15 minute drive to the Centro district of Madrid, although some visitors choose to take the cheap local bus, which takes about an hour. At peak times, it's often better to take the fast and modern Madrid Metro. There are 2 stations serving the airport, and you simply change at Nuevos Ministerios to get on the right line for services into the central areas. Madrid Atocha railway station is also well connected, with trains arriving from Barcelona, Seville, Alicante, and many other Spanish cities, as well as connections to the suburbs and the Madrid Metro.