Madrid Hotels

Madrid, Spain

Madrid, the Spanish capital, is the third-largest city in the European Union and a top tourist destination on the continent. It is best known for its rich history and artistic scene, but it is also a city with a thriving youth culture.

History and Culture

An essential item for the itinerary is a visit to the Old City Salamanca. This district is a World Heritage Site and provides a fascinating insight into Spanish history. Conquered by the Carthaginians in the third Century BC, it was later taken over by the Romans and then the Moors. Here one can see gorgeous Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance and Baroque monuments.

One of Madrid’s biggest attractions is the Prado Museum, Spain’s national art gallery, which is home to many well-known works. Some highlights include Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights, Velázquez’s Las Meninas, and Goya’s Black Paintings and The Third of May 1808.

The Prado Museum is part of the so-called Golden Triangle of Art, which also incorporates the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum of Art and the Reina Sofía museum. Other cultural sites near these are the Naval Museum and the Caixa Forum Madrid.

Nightlife

Nightlife begins late in Madrid – people often only head to the bars after 11pm. But once the party gets started, it goes on all night!

An excellent place to begin is at El Rincon de Fogg where one can sip sangria and enjoy a free plate of patatas bravas. For a relaxed atmosphere, Areia is a chilled-out bar decorated in a Moroccan style with cushions on the floor alongside traditional tables and chairs. Another popular bar is Miali, which has a fantastic outdoor terrace.

The clubbing scene in Madrid is exciting, with many places not closing until 6am. Démodé is a well-patronized venue where most of the crowd is in their 20s and 30s and there is no cover charge. Also worth checking out are El Sol and Kapitol.

Entertainment and Dining

There are always events and festivals happening in Madrid; to find out what’s on, visitors can pick up a newspaper or magazine. Particularly recommended are PopGuide Madrid – a free lifestyle magazine – and European Vibe, which lists concerts, exhibitions and more.

For those wanting some cultural entertainment, the Auditorio Nacional puts on performances by the Spanish National Orchestra, the Community of Madrid Orchestra and the Madrid Symphony Orchestra.

A trip to Madrid would not be complete without sampling the tapas for which Spain is famous. The city has a huge number of venues to choose from, all offering a slightly different take on this traditional cuisine. Neighborhoods with a high concentration of tapas bars include the trendy La Latina, the vibrant Chueca and the old-fashioned Salamanca, to name but a few.

Planning a trip to exciting Madrid? Check out our wide range of accommodation options in the city!

Points of interest - Madrid

Madrid City Map