Hotels in Madrid

Verified by Martín López Cano
from the blog Madrid Diferente

Spain’s capital, Madrid, is a vibrant and stirring cosmopolitan city located in the heart of the country. It is renowned for its beautiful boulevards, picturesque gardens and a rich array of cultural and artistic heritage, as well as being home to the most successful football club of the 20th century - Real Madrid.

Visitors will be pleased to find lots of cheap and comfortable hotels located throughout the city, providing a perfect base to explore all that Madrid has to offer.

Neighbourhoods of Madrid

Madrid consists of a number of neighbourhoods, a selection of the best are listed below:

• Malasaña: Malasaña is Madrid’s most hipster neighbourhood, with a variety of artisan coffee shops, tattoo parlours and retro clothing stores perched alongside pretty cobbled streets. Visit during the evening and you’ll find a youthful atmosphere, with reggae and jazz playing long into the night.
• La Latina: This is regarded as the hot spot for nightlife in the city, with a solid reputation for housing the best nightclubs that Madrid has to offer. La Latina can hold its own in the daytime too, with some of the top-rated Tapas joints in the city nestled in its streets.
• Salamanca: An affluent, upmarket area, Salamanca’s pristine boulevards are home to some of the cities wealthiest inhabitants and grandest mansion buildings. Tourists can enjoy a piece of the Spanish high life by taking a stroll around this barrio, visiting designer clothes outlets, or indulging in an à la carte dining experience at one of the many restaurants.
• Retiro: If you are looking for a more relaxing atmosphere, then the subdued Retiro barrio should suit. Centred on the famous El Retiro Park, this area is filled with baroque building facades and rustic cafes; it’s a perfect place to unwind.

What to see and do in Madrid

Madrid has a rich and interesting history and is an epicentre of culture in Europe making the museums a must-see. Take a trip to Prado Museum, often considered one of the best museums in the world. Alternatively, take a trip to Madrid’s Royal Palace, a local landmark surrounded by stunning gardens. For souvenirs and impulse buys, be sure to visit El Rastro. Dating back to the 15th-century, this popular, open-air flea market is only open on Sundays and public holidays, but the warren of streets offers everything from clothes and accessories to antiques and second-hand goods.

What to eat in Madrid

Madrid is a melting pot of typical food from every region of the nation. A favourite dish in Madrid is Cocido Madrileño. This homely, rustic stew usually includes a host of flavoursome vegetables mixed with chickpeas, chorizo and pork and is a perfect concoction to keep you warm once the temperature in Madrid drops. But no trip to Madrid would be complete without sampling the city’s most famous snack, the Bocadillo de Calamares, a fried squid sandwich.

Typical events and festivals in Madrid

The main annual event every year is on May 15th, where the people of Madrid come out in force to honour their patron saint, San Isidro Labrador. In May, the 1st and 2nd of the month are a public holiday known as Dos de Mayo, celebrating the start of the War of Independence, while La Paloma occurs during the month of August and involves street parties in and around the Plaza de la Paja.

How to move around in Madrid

Madrid boasts an extensive and efficient network of public transportation, including 13 metro lines, more than 170 bus routes and 3 tram lines. For a more direct means of travel, there are plenty of taxis waiting to ferry tourists around the city.

The climate in Madrid

The weather in Madrid is temperate. It is hot in the summer months from June to July and especially warm during August, reaching temperatures of up to 32° Celsius. Winters are cooler with lows of 10°C, making peak travel time April-October.

More interesting facts about and sights in Madrid

Madrid is the third-biggest city in the European Union and has more cloudless days than any other city in Europe. Home to Real Madrid and birthplace of Christiano Ronaldo, football fans can take the official tour and see behind the scenes of the stadium.