Saturday, May 30, 2015

Where to stay in Madrid?

With its history, culture, delicious Spanish food as well as colorful night life, Spain’s capital and largest city Madrid is one of the most interesting places to see in Spain. It offers a very comprehensive metro network (second largest after London’s) so the public transportation and accommodation is not a big problem.

In this article we will try to answer where to stay in Madrid question. Instead of giving individual Madrid hotel recommendations, we will introduce popular places for accommodation.

Madrid’s central district is known as Centro. La Latina neighbourhood here is the oldest area in Madrid, the Islamic citadel inside the city walls, with narrow streets and large squares. But the most popular central area is called Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun). The origin of the name is interesting. Puerta del Sol was one of the gates in the city wall that surrounded Madrid in the 15th century. The gate was in the east and sun rised from here so the place got its name. Today, this place is the heart of Madrid and is the centre of the radial network of Spanish roads. Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Santa Ana (Plaza means city square) are very near.

Puerta del Sol is also the heart of Madrid’s night life. To the north of Puerta del Sol you will find GrandVia, luxury shopping street of Madrid. Grand Via is known as “Broadway of Spain” and houses one of the most colorful night life scene in Europe. Grand Via is home to many hotels, restaurants, bars, pubs and night clubs.

Area near Puerta del Sol and Grand Via houses some of the most popular hotels in Madrid. For hotels in this area, room prices, guest reviews and latest deals you can check Madrid Centro Hotels, Madrid Grand Via Hotels and Madrid Puerta del Sol Hotels pages.

Where to stay in Madrid - Madrid Grand Via
Madrid Grand Via houses one of the most colorful nightlife scenes in Europe.
Plaza de Espana and Opera

To the west of Sol is a historic area named Opera. Elegant Plaza Isabel II and Madrid’s large opera house Teatro Real is here. Royal Plaza and Plaza de Oriente are littered with sculptures and are a short walking distance away. Madrid’s center is not very large and hotels in this area are quite near to historic attractions like Plaza Mayor.

At the west and of Grand Via, you can find Plaza de Espana. Here is an important tourist destination and two highest buildings in Madrid, Torre de Madrid and Edificio de España are here.

For hotels around Plaza de Espana check Madrid Plaza de Espana hotels.

Plaza de España Madrid
Madrid’s Plaza de España. Behind Cervantes monument with bronze sculptures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
Retiro and Prado

To the east of Madrid’s center from Calle de Alcala, Madrid’s Art Triangle and the large boulevards around it starts. Famous Madrid museums Museo del Prado and Centro de Arte Reina Sofia are here. To the north, you will find Paseo de Racoletos and its countless cafes. The Buen Retiro Park behind Prado museum belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until the late 19th century but is now a large public park with  beautiful sculpture and monuments, galleries, a peaceful lake and host to a variety of events. Retiro Park is one of Madrid’s premier attractions.

For hotels around the park take a look at to Madrid Retiro Park Hotels.

Buen Retiro de Madrid (Monument to Alfonso XII behind)
Buen Retiro de Madrid (Monument to Alfonso XII behind)

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