WHERE TO STAY IN MADRID, SPAIN

If you are interested in where to stay in Madrid, you may also be interested in where to stay in Barcelona, where to stay in Seville, where to stay in Granada and where to stay in Lisbon.

City Centre, the best area to stay in Madrid

Madrid’s City Centre is a hub of tourist activity. You will find most of the city’s famous attractions here, so it’s a good area to stay in and treat as a base if you’re looking to spend the day sight seeing.

Madrid’s museums are always popular attractions, and many of them can be found in the City Centre. The Prado National Museum is an art gallery with one of the largest, and perhaps one of the best, collections of art in the world. Then there’s the Reina Sofia National Art Museum, another impressive art gallery that houses 20th century art pieces. As well as these popular art museums, you can also enjoy the National Archaeological Museum, the Madrid Wax Museum, and the Museum of Romanticism, along with several others located near the Prado National Museum, around the Plaza de la Lealtad. All of these will be within easy walking distance if you stay in the City Centre.

There’s also plenty to see in the area by way of historic monuments and attractions. The Royal Palace of Madrid stands proudly in the City Centre, and is worth a visit if you enjoy admiring grand architecture and beautiful art. You´ll also find the Puerto Del Sol here, which is the geographical heart of Madrid. Whilst this area is a busy cross road, there’s a beautiful fountain marking the area’s significance, and several shops and restaurants surrounding the area.

The Plaza Mayor is another historic location in the area, dating back to the 16th century, and centring around a statue of King Philip III. As well as being a site of historical importance, it is also Madrid’s main square, so it’s where you’ll find many of the City Centre’s restaurants, street performers, and pop-up markets. Just a short walk away from this square, you’ll find Gran Via, which is a shopper´s heaven. This is the city’s main shopping street, and it’s so impressive that it’s often compared to New York’s Times Square. The street is always thriving with tourists and shoppers, and you’ll have the chance to shop until you drop at some of your favourite brands. No matter where you stay in the City Centre, you’ll be just moments away from these popular areas.

Sports fans will be pleased to hear that it’s not all art, history and shopping in Madrid’s City Centre, there’s also the famous Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Sports fans often jump at the chance to visit the home stadium of Real Madrid, which is often considered one of the best stadiums in the world. You can visit the stadium to discover the various trophy displays and football history, pose for a photo in front of the iconic sports venue, or if you’re lucky enough, you might even be able to see a game!

For a more relaxing experience of Madrid, there’s also the central Retiro Park, where you can take a break from the busy city streets, and enjoy a tranquil walk around the park, whilst taking in some much welcome nature within an ultimately urban environment.

Other neighbourhoods to stay in Madrid

Salamanca

Salamanca is a high-end neighbourhood in Madrid. It’s where you’ll find luxury shops and shopping destinations, and is perfect for those with a taste for the finer things in life. The restaurants in Salamanca also live up to the area’s high-end reputation and luxurious setting. There are even a few restaurants with Michelin Stars!

So if you want to experience one of the most luxurious and prestigious locations in Madrid, Salamanca is the perfect place to stay. It’s also where you’ll find many of the city’s best hotels, on tree-lined avenues and amidst 19th century architecture.

Chamberí

The Chamberí neighbourhood, or “barrio”, is a good place to stay if you want a more authentic experience of Madrid, in a more local area. The area isn’t nearly as bustling as the City Centre, there are just a few traditional shops and tapas restaurants that are mainly frequented by the locals.

At the heart of the neighbourhood is the Plaza de Chamberí, which is a nice open space where people walk, talk, and meet. There are always people in the square, which gives the area a friendly and safe atmosphere, making it popular with young people and families alike.

Most people that stay in Chamberí when visiting Madrid do so to avoid the inflated rates of hotels in the City Centre. Chamberí is a much more affordable area, and it’s still possible to visit all of Madrid’s main attractions on foot from here. Alternatively, you could make use of the modern and efficient public transport in the area. Chamberí is also next to Salamanca, so if you want to experience the impressive streets of the city’s most exclusive location without paying to stay there, Chamberí is a good place to stay.