Where to stay in Madrid?

Stay in the city center, in the heart of the action

The first place to stay is in the city center, also known as the “Sol”, where you can enjoy all the must-sees. If you choose this area, you'll be able to do it all on foot and enjoy the hustle and bustle.

Consisting of the largest squares and most beautiful historic sites, the city center boasts the vast Plaza Mayor, the famous Puerta del Sol, the Casino de Madrid or the Gran Via, known as the Spanish capital's busiest thoroughfare. It's perfect for shopaholics. You can also enjoy the many bars, restaurants and cafés in the heart of Madrid. With its nightclubs, the nightlife is very lively. Not to be missed are theTeatro Real, the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral.

As far as public transport is concerned, the city is very well served, allowing you to get around quickly. There are numerous bus routes and the metro is ubiquitous, with lines 1, 2, 4 and 5 particularly useful. To give you an idea, you can reach both ends of the district in less than 15 minutes thanks to the network. If you have a car, you can leave it in the parking lot.

There are plenty of places to stay here, more upmarket than budget. But bear in mind that this is a very popular area for travelers. We therefore recommend that you do not delay in booking your room. As you can see, if you're on a budget, this is the place to stay!

Justicia, a pleasant place to stay

Justicia, also known as Chueca, is located to the northeast. It's close enough to enjoy a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere, while avoiding the inevitable crowds of the heart of Madrid.

Here, small cafés and tapas bars rub shoulders with nightclubs. It's a trendy and quite cultural district, frequented by young people and the LGBT community. Shopping boutiques, entertainment venues and local tastings await you. If you decide to stay here, you'll pass the Museum of Romanticism and the Museum of the History of Madrid.

To get to the city's must-see attractions, you'll need to take metro line 5. But you can also get there on foot, as it's only a twenty-minute walk to the Plaza Mayor from the far end of the district.

Accessible to all budgets, the area is teeming with apartments for rent andinexpensive hotels. This is one of the most affordable areas in which to stay, and is therefore very popular. So be sure to book your room well in advance.

Accommodation in Malasaña, for the nightlife

Located to the north of the hypercenter, Malasaña is within easy reach of Puerta del Sol and offers more affordable accommodation.

Frequented by young people, it's fairly quiet during the day. On the other hand, with its numerous cafés, it has a lively nightlife with its many nightclubs and concert halls. A trendy area, with art galleries, tapas bars, theaters and fashion boutiques. Don't hesitate to visit the historic Dos de Mayo square, the Plaza de España or the Conde Duque cultural center.

Budget-wise, it's accessible to all, with rooms at affordable prices. Less well-stocked than the other areas, it's still a good solution for getting close to the must-sees if you don't want to stay in the heart of Madrid. The advantage of staying here is that you can be there in less than 20 minutes, thanks to metro line 2.

Accommodation in the Barrio de La Latina

A quiet neighborhood in which to stay, Barrio de La Latina is an authentic place to be. It's located just southwest of the city center. There are many monuments to admire, and the atmosphere in the narrow streets is incomparable.

Travelers will enjoy discovering the church of San Pedro el Real and, above all, the Basilica of Saint Francis the Great, featuring works by the painter Goya. It's a pleasure to stroll through these charming little streets. Don't be surprised to find theEl Rastro flea market just around the corner on a Sunday. Restaurants, cafés , tapas and wine bars are all within easy reach.

The area is also very convenient for a city trip, thanks to its fast public transport system: the center of town can be reached in less than 15 minutes on bus line 3 or metro line 5. It's also possible to get there on foot if you want to take the time to explore the area.

As this is a predominantly residential area, you'll find mostly apartments for rent, generally at reasonable rates. Hotels are therefore rare.

Far enough away to stay in the peace and quiet of Madrid, and only ten minutes or so from the must-see sights of the city center, this is an area to keep on your list.

Stay in Salamanca, elegant and luxurious

Another interesting district is Salamanca. Anupmarket area, it's very lively and offers plenty to do. A stroll through the area is a pleasant experience, as the architecture is period. It's not far from the city center and all the must-sees by public transport, so it's a good option for big budgets.

There's a lot to see in this district. This is where you'll find designer houses. If you're looking for cultural entertainment, you'll find the National Archaeological Museum, the Lázaro Galdiano Art Museum and the National Library. Food lovers will be delighted: as well as eating in the many high-quality restaurants, don't hesitate to take advantage of the Platea Madrid gourmet food court, where you'll find Italian, Asian, Mexican and Peruvian cuisine.

To get around, you can use metro lines 2 and 5, as well as other bus routes. These will take you to the center of town in around twenty minutes. Quite chic, the area remains relatively expensive and boasts prestigious and elegant luxury establishments.

Choose Lavapiés for a peaceful night

Lavapiés, located in the southeast, is another option for staying in the Spanish capital. It's less touristy and therefore more pleasant to stroll around. It may not top the list of the best places to stay in Madrid, due to the small number of accommodations and the time spent on public transport. But it's worth considering if you love world culture and cuisine.

Here, however, you'll find several museums, including the Reina Sofía, as well as theatres and exhibition halls. Street art on the walls and restaurants serving cosmopolitan cuisine, notably Indian, Asian and African, await you here. It's a picturesque and pleasant neighborhood.

As far as getting around is concerned, the center is a little far away (more than 20 minutes by public transport). It's worth noting, however, that Madrid's main train station is just around the corner. Accommodation is far less plentiful than in the center.

Are other districts a good alternative for staying?

Of course, the Spanish capital has many more neighborhoods. These include Argüelles, Chamberi, Almagro, Arganzuela, Atochà, Pacifico and many more. But is it worth staying there? The most notable are:

• Chamberí, very cultural, with the Sorolla Museum or Teatros del Canal, famous for its flamenco shows.
• Argüelles, with its cafés and bookshops, tapas bars and art cinemas.
• Retiro and its western part: the advantage here is that there are a number of museums, notably the Prado, Spain's most important. But also the nearby Thyssen-Bornemisza, and green spaces such as Retiro Park and the Royal Botanical Garden.

Even if there aren't many establishments to choose from, they're less expensive, making them suitable for smaller budgets. Even so, you'll be spending a lot of time in transport. To give you an idea, they are all located at least 25 minutes by public transport from the center of the capital.