Somehow, I had forgotten just how beautiful Madrid is. You see, I’ve been to Madrid twice before: once in 2003 and a second time in 2006. I remember that I had liked Madrid’s vibe and adored the language, but completely missed how gorgeous the city is. Tree-lined boulevards, stately buildings, wide open plazas with heaps of flora and fountains- Madrid has got it going on. Keep reading for my snaps of the city and a few of my tips for traveling to Madrid, Spain:
A bull on the Spanish flag commemorating San Fermin
Plaza de Cibeles
Take the metro or the express bus to/from the airport
Don’t take a taxi if you can help it. Save your money for tapas: Madrid’s Barajas airport is only about a 30-minute bus drive from the centre in a moderate amount of traffic. I took the express bus ($7 USD) from the airport and got dropped off at Atocha bus/train/metro station, but the bus also has stops along the Gran Via, one of Madrid’s main throughfares. From there it’s a 10 minute walk from one of Madrid’s most popular squares, the Puerta del Sol.
Pretty architecture at the Puerta del Sol
Madrid’s busy centre
The Gran Via, one of Madrid’s main drags
Find centrally located accommodation so you can explore by foot
I love walking and Madrid’s wide boulevards are particularly enticing. Benefit from the beauty of Madrid’s centre by finding centrally located accommodation- it’ll allow you to use your own two feet to get you where you need to go! HostelBookers graciously provided me with a room at the Petit Palace Embassy Serrano, a lovely 4-star hotel in one of the nicest areas of Madrid. I was able to window-shop at all the poshest stores as I made the 10-minute walk from the hotel to the Plaza de Alcala. Twenty-five minutes at a leisurely gait brought me from the hotel to the Puerta del Sol.
My lovely room at the Petit Palace Embassy hotel
Expect to spend $25 USD and up for a hostel and $50 USD and up for a decent hotel room (single occupancy)
I was surprised to see that accommodation in Madrid is still pretty cheap by Western European standards. When I found myself stranded in Madrid overnight because trains to Pamplona were booked solid, I paid $27 USD for a bed in an 8-person dorm at HostelOne. Mid-range single-person accommodation in the centre will run you approximately $50 USD a night. The 4-star Petit Palace Embassy Serrano is only $89 USD for a single room. *Note: you can find hostels for $20 USD but they aren’t very nice! It’s worth it to pay just a little extra for better accommodation, in my opinion!
Pack a picnic lunch and eat in the park
Hanging out in Madrid’s Parque del Retiro is a great way to spend an afternoon. Plus, it’s free! Grab a few provisions from the market and have sandwiches in any one of the plethora of grassy areas throughout this huge park. Fun, cheap, visually stimulating… I like!
Do you have any tips for traveling to Madrid, Spain? Whether you have or haven’t been, what do you think of the city?
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes, I’ve been to Madrid in 2009. But I missed the picnic in the park. I think it’s a nice thing to do with a bunch of friends. Great picture, Oneika
DebbZ recently posted..Beijing: Favorite Shots of the Forbidden City
Great reason to go back!
I was in Madrid just a few months ago, in June, visiting a friend, and she took me to see all the places you mentioned here, (as well as a number of others). We even had lunch in Parque del Retiro and where I fed some sparrows which were brave enough to come eat the food from my hand. It’s really a beautiful city, I liked it a lot more than I expected, as I normally don’t like big cities (I’m Norwegian, and we don’t have really big cities here).
Idun recently posted..The most famous dead tree in Hawaii
Glad you liked it! It is one of my favourite cities. The weather is great even in the winter!
Madrid is so beautiful! I prefer Barcelona, but I still would return in a heartbeat!
Andi recently posted..Thailand: Day 2 (Part 2)
Spain is just amazing all around!
I’ve never been to spain, but it looks gorgeous!
Deidre recently posted..Is it a practical joke if it is unintential?
Honeymoon destination!?!
Madrid is on my list of places to visit more than once. I’m glad to hear that hotel accomodations are so affordable. Great pics.
Yes, the agreeable prices shocked me!
I absolutely LOVE Madrid! I’m probably a bit bias only because I lived in Spain for 8 months and visited Madrid 6 times. Everyone that loves fashion should visit the Malasana area via the Tribunal Metro Stop and do some shopping damage at the many Vintage shops! Also, venture over to the North side of town via the Cuidad Lineal Metro Stop and have the best Paella of your life at La Arroceria de Maria(make a reservation for lunch between 2 and 4pm). I have more tips and info for visiting Madrid(and Spain) on my blog: http://www.willworkfortrips.com
Love your blog!
Beautiful!
I’ve been to Seville & Cadiz, Spain — many moons ago! These pics make me want to check out Madrid (and maybe a bit of Barcelona, too!). I’ve done a lot of European travel, so I’m looking forward to checking out other continents, too.
Bernadette Kennedy recently posted..Black Girl Running (and training for a Half Marathon)
Loved Seville and have heard great things about Cadiz! There’s something about Spain…
Looks beautiful! I’d kill to visit Spain….I can definitely see myself sitting on a patio with tapas and sangria!!
Sarah Thériault recently posted..Chouquette…a little taste of France in Brisbane
Let’s do it when you move to London!
Just discovered your travels blog with your post on Madrid. It´s great to hear about your tips. The “Don’t take a taxi if you can help it. Save your travel money for tapas” is pretty useful ; ) You might want to check out our blog and follow our winks! Have a nice weekend!
Glad you enjoyed it! Will check you guys out!
I love el retiro! I liked Madrid but I prefer Barcelona…
Catalina recently posted..Touring the Daytona International Speedway
Most people do! I think I’m in the minority, because I wasn’t that impressed with Barca!
Oneika…great recap of a great city! Don’t be surprised if you catch word of me moving there.
-FlyBro
Fly Brother recently posted..5 Cities I Could Live In for the Next 5 Years
Thanks, love! I’ll be coming to visit for sure…
I’ve been away from your blog for a bit, but it’s so nice to return. I have not been to Madrid, but definitely want to one day. Barcelona is one of my favorite cities, so I have high hopes for Madrid too!
I’m so glad that you’re back! I had a problem with rigging my RSS feed from my old blog to this new one and JUST managed to fix the issue last night! Funnily enough, I enjoyed Madrid more than Barcelona, though I think I may be in the minority.
Love your blog chica! I read it every week! I’ve booked a ticket to Madrid for my two week October break. I am dying to see Sevilla and Granada (inspired by http://www.adventurouskate.com) and I’d love to make it to Morocco. love your post about Madrid. I’ve been before but you are getting me to see it in a refreshing light. I’m going to check out the Petit Palace Hotel and Roomarama. Thank you for writing so well and for inspiring my travels and my life!
Jordan, Israel and Turkey are on my radar….. December/January or April breaks…..
Besos amiga
Museo de Jamon for cheap beer and tapas!
I love Madrid, i think that it is a big city with a small town, friendly vibe!
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I’m going to have to eat there next time!
Let me first say that I love your blog and it is great to see that your having a fab time travelling the globe. It is inspiring to see a sister doing her thing globally (I’m a Jamaican living in the UK). I will be making my way to Indonesia to teach English in the new year. I can’t wait!!!
I LOVED MADRID!!!! The architecture,the huge squares and of course the cheeky Spanish chappies(banter in Spanglish is hysterical). It was the first time I visited Spain and I was there visiting a friend who lived and worked there I want to count it as solo trip because I spent the majority of the days by myself) I spent my five days visiting a couple of the museums and a football stadium (I’m a fan),doing the walking tours,drinking a lot of Spanish beer and of course spending time with my gal pal.
My day in Retiro was spent snoozing in the shade after a heavy night but still such a lovely place. I would like to do Spain again but maybe Barcelona for maybe one of the music festivals or San Sebastian.
Hi Chanelle!! So glad you’re enjoying! Where are you at in the UK?
Oops sorry for the slow reply. I just moved in with my beau’s parents near Liverpool after spending four years in Glasgow with said beau while he was getting his PhD. Thus currently unemployed Before that, I was in Leeds where I was student and worked for a little while before my move north of the border.
I’ve been to York for a day out and thought it was nice little cathedral city. If you are planning another trip to the North of England;you should go to Liverpool for a weekend. I’ve been a few times now and if shopping and restaurants (there is a delightful French restaurant here) are your things you are in for a treat. That being said it is winter now and it rains alot here.
We should definetly have a wee chat about our adventures and get some advice on starting a blog for my upcoming travels to Indonesia.
Keep up the good blogs!
I hope to make it to Liverpool sometime next spring! It’s too cold now!
I didn’t spend nearly enough time in Madrid, due to a missed flight… Long story. I hope to go back again, because I liked the vibe too and know there is so much more to see there. Nice photos!
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I’m not Madrid’s biggest fan, reasoning that there are other cities I’d rather see that I haven’t visited yet on the Spanish mainland. But if I do return, these hints and tips will come in handy. Thanks, Oneika.
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