Hotels in Madrid

Staying in Madrid

Madrid is a capital best explored on foot and by metro. The historic centre, around Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Gran Vía, concentrates hotels, hostales and tourist apartments in old buildings where rooms can be small. Around it, each district has its own character: Salamanca and Retiro for calm and boutiques, Chamberí for residential neighbourhood life, and Lavapiés for a popular, cosmopolitan atmosphere where Moroccan travellers easily find familiar shops and restaurants.

Madrid-Barajas airport is linked to the centre by metro, suburban train, buses and taxis, so there is no need to sleep near the airport unless you have a very early flight. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons; summer is very hot and many neighbourhood shops close for part of August, while major sporting events and holiday periods fill hotels quickly. Start by choosing an address close to a metro station, then refine by quietness, room size and whether the building has a lift.

Where to stay in Madrid

• The centre: Sol, Gran Vía, Plaza Mayor

  Everything is within walking distance: museums, squares, theatres and restaurants. In return, the streets stay lively late, rooms are often small and older buildings do not always have a lift.

• Salamanca and Retiro

  A smart, quiet district with boutiques and the large Retiro park within strolling distance. More spacious hotels and calm streets, well connected to the centre by metro.

• Chamberí

  A residential district popular with families, with local shops and café terraces. You will find quieter hotels and apartments here, a few metro stops from the centre.

• Atocha and the Paseo de la Castellana

  Around Atocha station and along the Castellana, business hotels that are convenient for a work trip, a train to another Spanish city or a visit to the major museums.

Good to know before you book

• In Spain, a 'hostal' is a simple guesthouse, not a youth hostel: a decent option in the city centre, as long as you check for a private bathroom and a lift.
• Check for air conditioning for a summer stay and ask for an interior room if the hotel faces Gran Vía or a busy square: Madrid stays up late.
• With a family, compare triple or quadruple rooms with an apartment: in the centre, hotel rooms rarely sleep more than three.

Questions about Madrid

Frequently asked questions