Puerta del Sol and Gran Via
Bang in the centre of Madrid is
Puerta del Sol, the hub of the city’s famous nightlife. Three metro lines converge here and it’s around 30 minutes to Barajas airport.
Plaza Mayor’s arcades lie a few steps west and a short walk south-east is lively
Plaza de Santa Ana. North of Sol is
Gran Via, Madrid’s main thoroughfare, lined with restaurants, shops, cinemas and grand buildings converted into Madrid hotels. Northwards is shopping street
Fuencarral, very close to trendy
Chueca’s square.
See all hotels in Puerta del Sol and Gran Via Plaza Espana and Opera
West of
Sol is the historical area of
Opera, home to elegant
Plaza Isabel II and Madrid’s grand opera house,
Teatro Real. A short distance away is the expansive
Royal Palace and
Plaza de Oriente, dotted with royal statues. A compact city, Madrid hotels in this area are easily accessible from spots like
Plaza Mayor. North of Opera, at one end of Gran Via, is
Plaza de Espana. Look up to see two of Madrid’s tallest buildings, the
Torre de Madrid and
Edificio de España where the top-storey bar opens on to sky-high views.
See all hotels in Plaza Espana and Opera Retiro and Prado
East of Madrid’s city centre from
Calle de Alcala are the wide boulevards around Madrid’s ‘Art Triangle’. Madrid’s trio of museums includes the
Museo del Prado and
Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. Just north is the tree-lined avenue of
Paseo de Recoletos, full of cafes. Behind the Prado is verdant
Retiro Park stretching south for 330 acres. A lake, rose garden and street entertainers are among its attractions.
See all hotels in Retiro and Prado Salamanca and Serrano
North of Retiro Park is the exclusive
Salamanca barrio (neighbourhood). At its heart is the
Plaza de Colón square and main thoroughfare of Calle
Serrano. Designer shops line the grid of streets between
Calle Goya and
Calle José Oretga y Gassett, showcasing everything from Gucci emporia to Spanish designers like Adolfo Domínguez. Further north along
Paseo de la Castellana is Real Madrid’s
Bernabéu football stadium, an impressive sight regardless of sporting loyalties.
See all hotels in Salamanca and Serrano Moncloa and Argüelles
North-west of
Gran Via and three metro stops from
Plaza de España is the affluent enclave of
Moncloa. Its most famous resident is the prime minster of Spain. Adjacent is the equally prosperous
Argüelles district. Cafes and bars fill Paseo del Pintor Rosales promenade which borders the picturesque green spaces of
Parque del Oeste (West Park). Take the
teleférico cable car to
Casa del Campo, Madrid’s 4,255-acre woodland wilderness, and enjoy city views en route.
See all hotels in Moncloa and Argüelles
