Las Letras & Golden Triangle Of Art
The area that encompasses the neighbourhood of Las Letras and the Golden Triangle of Art is one of the most exclusive of Madrids Central District, with luxury hotels and upscale restaurants along the impressive Paseo del Prado.
The Golden Triangle of Art includes the three most important museums in Madrid: the Prado National Museum, the Reina Sofía National Art Centre Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum.
Therefore, staying in this area allows you to fully understand the cultural movement of the city.
On the other hand, Las Letras is one of the best areas to stay in Madrid for its many tapas bars, where the locals usually meet after office or to start the party.
The Atocha station is also close to this area and, where you can take a train to virtually any city in Spain, making it a good place to stay in Madrid for travellers on a route through the country.
From here, you can walk to attractions such as the Retiro Park or go by metro to other areas of Madrid.
What makes this the best area to stay in Madrid
- Museum District
Hand-picked hotels in this area
Budget: Guest House Woohoo Hostal Madrid
This is a great hostel located right in the heart of Madrid. You can opt-in for a room with a private or shared bathroom. The guest house has a shared lounge area with a kitchen where you can prepare your own meals. Prices start from as little as £16 per person in a shared dormitory. â¡ï¸ Book on Booking.com
Best Area To Stay In Madrid For First Timers
Visiting this June for 4-5 days. 1 day for AEROSMITH concert.
That said, which area is good to stay? Somewhere that has easy access to transport and the tourist spots and of course, safe for first timers. I will just decide which hotel/bnb, but for now, the general area. Like in Barcelona, I will be staying at the Gothic Quarters.
MANY THANKS!
Best is a relative term but for us, the Huertas area worked well. Fairly quiet at night to sleep, within walking distance of most all of the major attractions, and a large variety of bars/restaurants nearby. We stayed at Calle Lope de Vega and Calle del Leon.
Las huertas, chueca or malasana.
Madrid is extremely safe unlike the philippines. You will have nothing to be concerned.
Edited: 5 years ago
Yeah, its subjective, but I wanna see which most of you suggest as tourists yourselves!!! Woot!!! Excited.
Many thanks again!!!
Head to Huertas aka Las Letras aka Plaza Santa Ana.
Tapas for first-timers:
Yes, huertas is part of the bourbon madrid, including the museums.
Opera has been best for me over the past 14 years.
Downtown Madrid is the Gran Via, which has many hotels, restaurants and stores. Most of the biggest attractions are all within a 2 km radius of each other. You can use Booking.com to screen hotels or apartments in this area .
Kroleduke,
Madrid as in any big cities in spain is extremely safe. It is not subjective depending on the words of the individual traveller.
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Malasana Where To Stay In Madrid For Tourists
Best for Hipster travelers Who Want to Blend In, On a Budget
Malasana is a young, trendy neighborhood with hipster vibes and if often referred to as Madrids hippest neighborhood. Centered around the Plaza del 2 de Mayo and near the Tribunal Metro stop, the counter-cultural scene in Malasana still holds strong. Malasana is the best place to stay if you are wondering where to stay in Madrid for one night, its also the best place to stay in Madrid for sightseeing.
Hundreds of excellent, inexpensive food options, darling boutique shops and dozens of nightclubs make Malasana a popular neighborhood for students and young travelers and tourists alike. Within walking distance is the popular open air Rastro flea market, the largest flea market in Spain, held every Sunday . This it the best area if you want to know where to stay in Madrid city centre.
Go On A Madrid Food Tour
Exploring the local food in Madrid on your own is always fun but if you really want to learn about Spanish cuisine, then you may want to go on a guided tour. Simply put, no one knows the food in Madrid better than a local. A knowledgeable guide can take you from mercado to mercado and tapas bar to tapas bar to experience the best of local Spanish cuisine. Plus, they can give you lots of insider tips as well.
Check out Get Your Guide for a list of the best Spanish food and wine tasting tours in Madrid.
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Is It Easy To Get Around Spain
Spains network of train and bus services is one of the best in Europe and there arent many places that cant be reached using one or the other. The tentacles of Spains high-speed train network are expanding rapidly, while domestic air services are plentiful over longer distances and on routes that are more complicated by land.
Spain has an extensive network of internal flights. These are operated by both Spanish airlines and a handful of low cost international airlines.
Renfe is the excellent national train system that runs most of the services in Spain. Spain has several types of trains, and largo recorrido or Grandes Líneas in particular have a variety of names.
There are few places in Spain where buses dont go. Numerous companies provide bus links, from local routes between villages to fast intercity connections. It is often cheaper to travel by bus than by train, particularly on long-haul runs, but also less comfortable.
If youre renting a car in Spain, bring your drivers license. Youre also required to have an International Driving Permit an official translation of your drivers license. Research car rentals before you go. Its cheaper to arrange most car rentals from home. Compare rates among several companies. Always read the fine print carefully for add-on charges such as one-way drop-off fees , airport surcharges, or mandatory insurance policies that arent included in the total price.
San Lorenzo De El Escorial
Commonly known as the Monastery of El Escorial, San Lorenzo de El Escorial is the historic residence of the King of Spain. Its a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important architectural monuments of the Spanish Renaissance.
San Lorenzo de El Escorial is located about an hour northwest of Madrid. You can easily visit on your own or go on a guided tour.
Travel Time: About 1 hr
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Whats The Best Neighborhood In Madrid For Local Experience Chamberhuertasla Latina
Chamberi, Huertas and La Latina neighbourhoods make great places for travellers looking to experience the traditional lifestyle of Spanish natives. Chamberi, for example, has a population of older residents and families. The neighbourhood is also quieter and does not have international bars and lounges that are typical of Malasana. Rather, there are bars and Spanish taverns. La Latina hosts several celebrations known throughout the city, including La Paloma party and Fiestas de San Isidro.
Madrid Airport Express Bus
There are several buses you can take from the airport to downtown Madrid, the fastest being the Madrid Airport Express Bus. Line 203 will take you to the Atocha-RENFE hub in the city center in about 40 minutes. If youre traveling at night, then itll drop you off at Plaza de Cibeles which is about 1.5 km north of the Atocha-RENFE station.
The Madrid Airport Express Bus operates 24/7 and runs every 15-20 minutes during the day and every 35 minutes between 11:30PM and 6AM. A one-way ticket costs EUR 5. You can check the Madrid Airport website for more information and for other bus transfer options.
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Should You Get A Travel And Health Insurance
In short, yes.
Travel insurance is vital for Spain and indeed anywhere in the world. Spanish health care is excellent, but also expensive especially in the event of an illness or accident. Besides your health, you want to be protected against cancelled flights, missing baggage etc. Hopefully youll never have to use it, but travel insurance makes all the difference if you do.
Best For First Time : City Centre
If you are visiting Madrid for the first time, you cant miss out on the famous City Center and the most popular meeting point. It makes an excellent place for sightseeing as most of Madrids highways, tourist destinations and transport channels are located here. Plaza Mayor is located here and Prado Museum a ten-minute walk from the city centre. Also, most of Madrids popular shops are a stones throw away from the city, and there are lots of new and old restaurants for you to dine. If planning to stay here, you should consider the Living Cat Hostel and Iberostar Las Letras Gran Via hotel located in the citys downtown.
Where to Stay in Madrid City Centre
- Best Luxury Hotels in Madrid
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Luxury: Hotel Nh Collection Madrid Palacio De Tepa
Want to stay in a 19th century restored palace? Then this is the place for you. Located just 350m away from Puerto del Sol, this incredible hotel offers spacious rooms with a modern bathroom. The hotel was built in a Neoclassical style and you can still see the remains of the historic canal system inside. Prices for one night in this 5-star hotel start at £140.
Where To Stay In Madrid: Barrio De Las Letras Is Bohemian And Convenient
Directly to the southeast of Sol is Las Letras , which translates as the Literary Quarter. Not surprisingly, the neighborhood is so-named for the tremendous literary history rooted within its now mostly pedestrian streets. Hemmingway famously hung out here, and Spanish writers Cervantes, Lope de Vega, and Quevado all lived and wrote here. Las Letras is filled with old and traditional Spanish bars, flamenco tablaos, and spots to enjoy live jazz, such as Café Populart. The streets in Las Letras have a decidedly bohemian feel to them.Las Letras is one of the best places to stay in Madrid if you plan on spending significant time in the citys world-class museums, as Madrids Art Triangle is just a short walk away. The Art Triangle is made up of the Prado Museum, home to thousands of pre-20th century works, and holding one of the finest art collections in the world the Reina Sofía Museum, which houses more contemporary art including works by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, which is a private collection with international works by Dutch, Italian and French greats like Monet and Rembrandt.
Hotel Urban
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Bonus : Best Hotels Near Madrid Barajas International Airport
Madrid Barajas International Airport is the main airport of the city and the place where youll most probably land if youre arriving to this city by plane. The airport is located only 16 km away from the city center, but it will take you more than 35 minutes via public transportation to get there.
If you have a very early or very late flight, a wise idea would be to book a hotel located as close to the airport as possible. This way you can save some precious time and sleep and you wont have to stress a lot about your transfer to the city! If you decided to do so, here are the best airport hotels in Madrid to choose from :
Top Things To See And Do In Chueca
Sip sophisticated cocktails and enjoy the view from the rooftop bar at Mercado San Anton.
Sample sweet treats at Mama Framboise.
Dance the night away at Delirium.
See great live acts at But.
Dine on modern Spanish fare at DSTAGE.
Drink exotic cocktails at Del Diego Cocktail Bar.
Dance, drink, and laugh the night away at Black and White, a large and lively club known for its fun and raucous drag show.
Explore the bustling Calle de Hortaleza, a hotbed of shopping, dining and nightlife options.
Eat great tapas and enjoy a few cold beers at El Tigre.
Enjoy urbane cocktails at Macera.
Be thoroughly entertained and listen to great music at Toni 2 Piano Bar.
Drink hip cocktail at the stylish Bodega Angel Sierra.
Dance until dawn at the Thundercat Club.
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Eurostars Grand Marina Gl
If you really just want to stay near the port, then go with Eurostars Grand Marina. You are nearby the port and you can still go for a good restaurant and café nearby.
You can enjoy the swimming pool with stunning sea views. On top of that, they even have rooms with gorgeous views to the city itself and the mountain Montjuic .
Day : Lavapis And Traditional Markets
If you have more than a couple of days in the Spanish capital and are planning of spending 3 or 4 days in Madrid, then spend your third day venturing a bit away from the tourist centre and into some of the coolest neighbourhoods in the city.
Explore Lavapiés
If there is a trendy neighbourhood to visit in Madrid, that barrio would have to be Lavapíes. This cool area is located just a bit south from the city centre , Lavapiés can feel like a completely different world compared to the ultra touristy areas around the Plaza Mayor etc.
The area is filled with interesting bars and cafes and the streets are filled with art and murals. Its an excellent place to stroll around and get lost, however, if you want to learn more about the area, we recommend taking a guided walking tour through Lavapiés or a street art tour of the neighbourhood.
Mercado Antón Martín
After exploring a bit of the area, it is certain that you will likely want a bite to eat and a drink afterwards. If you´re after for a truly local experience for something like this, there really is no better place to do this than Mercado Antón Martín.
Located in the trendy Lavapiés neighbourhood and not too far from some of Madrid´s main attractions, there is still no doubt that Mercado Antón Martín is a market for locals and not for tourists. The market is made up of two levels, both with stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, jamón, olives, wine, and cheese.
Museo Reina Sofia
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Plugs/electronics Used In Spain
Spain uses a two-prong plug classified as type C or E/F plug with 230 Volt that is the same as in many other European countries such as Germany, France, Denmark but not in the UK, Malta, Ireland or Cyprus.
So if you are travelling to Spain from another European country, you most likely wont need an adapter/converter.
However, if you are visiting Spain from North America you will need an adapter since the plug style is different than in the United States or Canada.
While most of your electronic such as phone and laptop chargers or hair dryers should be able to handle 230-volt plugs, make sure to double check the label beforehand!
Best Neighborhood For Luxury: Salamanca
The irony of this pretty and leafy neighborhood is that when it was established in the late 19th century, it was originally meant to house blue-collar workers. Today, Salamanca is the place to find the stylish set. Streets are lined with upscale cafés and Spanish-owned designer boutiques. That said, you dont have to belong to the 1% to enjoy Salamanca. Theres a lot of free eye candy to take in too, including the Puerta de Alcalá arch and the relaxing El Retiro Park, which is just south of the district.
Best Places to Stay in Salamanca
- BUDGET: Hotel Catalonia Goya Its almost hard to believe theres an affordable hotel in Salamanca, but then theres this one. Rooms are clean and stylish, with safe boxes, Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. The hotel also offers a pretty nice breakfast spread.
- MID-RANGE: VP Jardín de Recoletos This four-star hotel boasts spacious rooms and an on-site Mediterranean restaurant. A continental spread is offered every morning and youre just a quick 15-minute walk to the Prado.
- LUXURY: Hotel Único This is the place to splurge. Offering high-thread Egyptian cotton sheets, hardwood floors, and luxury bath products, the 44 rooms here are impressive. Theres also an in-house Michelin-starred restaurant in case youre feeling peckish.
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Los Austrias Best Place To Stay In Madrid For Sightseeing
Whereas Puerta del Sol offers a blend of historic and modern Madrid, Barrio Los Austrias is prominently historic, and it also happens to be very stately because this is where the Royal Family lives. Sightseeing and learning tours are among the best activities, followed by dining, strolling, and enjoying flamenco shows.
You dont want to miss a visit to the Royal Palace, and the same goes for the monastery, the Almudena Cathedral, and the botanical gardens, which have been immaculately maintained for centuries, or the Plaza Mayor.
You do not want to skip the San Miguel Gourmet Market just south of Calle Mayor even if you have to stand in line, tasting the delicacies served here is worth the wait.
Since Los Austrias is adjacent to Puerta del Sol, your lodging options are about the same. This district has a couple of interesting historic hotels, and they tend to book very quickly. In terms of hostels, you can find a few located near the metro stations.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN MADRID IN LOS AUSTRIAS