Where to stay in Madrid: best areas and neighborhoods

Filled with attractions and things to do, Madrid is a vibrant and very interesting city to visit. Being a large metropolis, you may find yourself a bit bewildered as to where to stay. Admittedly, Madrid enjoys an excellent public transportation network, and therefore, any area can potentially be good for finding hotels and lodging. One thing is for sure, as it is a very popular destination, wherever you choose to sleep, book well in advance to be sure of getting a place!

To help you in your selection, we have developed this guide on where to sleep in Madrid, gathering and highlighting the characteristics of each neighborhood, with a selection of various types of accommodations. Enjoy your choice and have a good trip!

Useful tips: the best neighborhoods to stay in Madrid

Madrid has 21 neighborhoods. Obviously, the most popular ones from the tourist point of view are in the center or adjacent to it: the central area which includes Puerta del Sol, Gran Via and Opera, in particular, is the favorite among tourists.

La Latina and Lavapiés are two very characteristic neighborhoods and slightly cheaper than those in the central areas. However, the center is easily accessible by public transport. Malasaña is the alternative area, reminiscent of London's Camden Town. It is full of life and cheap, it is recommended for young people, who can also opt for neighborhoods such as Argüelles, the university area, and Chueca, the most fashionable district of Madrid!

Salamanca is one of the most expensive residential areas of Madrid, as well as the luxury shopping area; high-end hotels can be found here. Finally, Retiro and Cortes are two quiet areas, ideal for families, art lovers and anyone who prefers a more relaxed setting.

• Recommended areas to stay on a budget: La Latina, Lavapiés
• Recommended areas for families with children: Centro, Retiro, Salamanca, Cortes, Madrid de las Austrias
• Recommended areas for young people: Centro, Malasaña, Chueca, Argüelles
• Best accommodation: We have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Madrid. Check out our recommendations and make your reservation on Booking

Guide to the areas of Madrid

Madrid has 21 neighborhoods, each with its own personality, culture, atmosphere and attractions. The center is the area that surrounds Puerta del Sol and all around this area are the most suitable neighborhoods for first time visitors, especially for the comfort of being within walking distance of the main attractions and to move easily from one point to another, both on foot and by public transport.

Staying in the center, or close to it, will allow you to move very easily between the various neighborhoods, thanks to public transport, which includes buses and metro, the latter certainly ideal for moving around, with a station in every neighborhood.

On the other hand, If you are going to Madrid exclusively to watch a soccer match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the home of Real Madrid, you might consider staying in the surrounding area. However, this solution is not recommended if your trip focuses on sightseeing, as the stadium is far from the city center.

Not recommended areas: The worst areas of Madrid, albeit with a degree of insecurity that is not so low, are mainly the neighborhoods in the south: Orcasur, Orcasitas, Entrevías, San Diego, Palomeras Bajas, some areas of Villaverde, some areas of Carabanchel. The non recommended areas in the north are some streets of Tetúan.

Center: Puerta del Sol, Gran Via and Opera

The city center for excellence! Puerta del Sol, which once marked the boundaries of the city, is now the beating heart of Madrid life. The surrounding area is teeming with typical Spanish bars and numerous tourist attractions and squares, including Plaza Mayor and the lively Plaza de Santa Ana. To the north of Puerta del Sol is Gran Via, Madrid's main avenue, which is home to cinemas, theaters, restaurants, shopping malls and elegant boutiques, as well as a number of historic buildings now converted into elegant hotels, some of the most expensive in the city. There is no shortage of apartments and hostels in the side streets. A few steps from here, you'll find the Prado Museum and the Royal Palace!
This neighborhood is suitable for everyone and indeed it is one of the best choices if you are visiting Madrid for the first time! You can find all kinds of accommodations, from large hotels to quaint B&Bs, from room rentals to entire apartments.
You can discover the historic center by walking, but the area is served by three metro lines that connect the neighborhood to other parts of the city and the airport. The reference stops are Ópera, Gran Via and Estación de Sol.

Average prices in the neighborhood range from about €44,00 for low-cost accommodation to €500,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Retiro

To the east of the center, bordered by Calle de Alcala, lies this quiet and residential neighborhood, which however houses some of the main attractions of Madrid, amongst which the Retiro Park certainly stands out, the largest and most famous green area of the city with beautiful gardens and ponds. Inside the district, in its most west part towards the center, lies the Paseo del Arte, also known as the "triangle of art", which houses the most important galleries of Madrid: the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
This is an ideal area for families, art lovers and those who prefer quiet and relaxed places. The accommodations here are cheaper than in the center, especially in the inner part, while boasting a strategic location to visit the city. In the Paseo del Arte area, prices can still be high.
It is easy to reach the center, the area is served by the metro, as well as many buses, but you can also reach it with a walk through the main streets. The reference stops are Alcalà and Retiro.

Average prices in the neighborhood range from about €47,00 for low-cost accommodation to €280,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Chueca

Chueca is Madrid's most fashionable district, a favorite of the capital's gay community. Dynamic, trendy and colorful, Chueca is also a reference point for nightlife, with many bars, clubs and restaurants. More than visiting specific attractions, here you can breathe and live a very special atmosphere. However, there is no shortage of historic buildings such as the Real Hospicio General de Pobres, currently home to the Museo de Historia de la Ciudad, Palacio de Longoria, one of the few modernist buildings in Madrid, and the palace of the Marquis of Matallana, which houses the Museum of Romanticism.
In terms of accommodation, the neighborhood is divided into two areas: the central part, near Calle Hortaleza and Plaza Vazquez de Mella, offers a wide selection of hostels, ideal especially for young people and groups of friends, while moving towards Calle Barquillo there are elegant and more expensive hotels.
The area is served by buses and two metro lines, but being within the perimeter of the historic center you can easily move around on foot. The reference stops are Tribunal, Pedro Zerolo and Chueca.

Average prices in the neighborhood range from about €47,00 for low-cost accommodation to €490,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Cortes / Barrio de Las Letras

Madrid's literary district, whose name refers to the fact that some of Spain's most important literary figures lived here, such as Cervantes, Lope de Vega and Tirso de Molina. It is located in the very center of the city, between the Sol-Gran Vía and Paseo del Arte areas, but it has the typical picturesque features and a timeless atmosphere, with its cafes and restaurants where intellectuals meet, flea markets and theaters.
It is the ideal area for those who want accommodation within walking distance of the most interesting attractions, without sacrificing a retro touch. It is recommended especially for families and those who want to stay in the center but without being in the hot spots of the nightlife. Here you will find a wide range of apartments, hostels and hotels.
The central location allows you to move easily in the city, reaching the center even on foot. The area is served by buses and two metro lines. The reference stops are Banco de España and Las Cortes.

Average prices in the neighborhood range from about €42,00 for low-cost accommodation to €500,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Salamanca

North of Retiro Park, this is one of Madrid's most exclusive neighborhoods. Salamanca is dominated in the center by Plaza de Colón and the main avenue Calle Serrano, where the elegant boutiques of the most famous international and local designers are located. Filled with beautiful buildings, Salamanca is also a residential area where prominent figures from the world of politics and entertainment live.
Michelin-starred restaurants and some of the most expensive luxury hotels are located in this area. It is the ideal neighborhood for tourists looking for glamour and luxury, or for those traveling on a high budget.
It is not too far from the center, but to reach certain attractions it will be necessary to use the subway. The neighborhood is served by the efficient public transport service and the reference stations are Nuñez De Balboa and Alonso Martinez for the metro and Marqués De Salamanca for the bus.

Average prices in the neighborhood range from about €60,00 for low-cost accommodation to €500,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Malasaña

An alternative area of Madrid that is very similar to London's Camden Town. Malasaña is very linked to Movida, the cultural and social revolution that developed in Madrid during the 80s and that had its epicenter in this neighborhood. The name of the neighborhood derives from Manuela Malasaña, Madrilenian heroine of the May 2, 1808 revolt against French troops.
It forms an irregular square flanked by Gran Vía to the south, Calle Fuencarral to the east, Calle Carranza to the north and Calle San Bernardo to the west. Among the cultural attractions, you will find the Palacio de Liria, an eighteenth-century building that belonged to the House of Alba, and the Municipal Museum, now the History Museum. Given its characteristics, the neighborhood is ideal for young people looking for fun and nightlife, even better if they are fans of punk and rock music.
The neighborhood is quite central, but it is still well connected to the center by public transport; the reference station is Ventura Rodriguez for both buses and the metro.

Average prices in the neighborhood range from about €44,00 for low-cost accommodation to €450,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking

Recommended accommodation

La Latina and Lavapiés

Two small popular neighborhoods, bordering each other. They are very picturesque and lively. The first is considered the most traditional area, while the second is famous as a multi-ethnic area. It is worth seeing the small station named after Francesco Goya, near the current Caramuel Park, which once connected Madrid with the town of Almorox and served mostly to transport agricultural commodities.
These neighborhoods are suitable for those who want to immerse themselves in the most authentic Madrid, perhaps if it is not the first visit to the city, and for those who want to save a little on accommodation. Accommodations are in fact cheaper than those in the more touristy areas.
However, from here it is easy to move by public transport and reach in a short time all the main tourist attractions. Reference stations for the metro are La Latina and Lavapies, for the bus Embajadores-Ronda De Toledo.

Average prices in the neighborhood range from about €50,00 for low-cost accommodation to €500,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Argüelles / Moncloa

The university area of Madrid, located northwest of Plaza España. Filled with cafes and typical bars, it is a very large district and some areas are a bit far from the historical center, but still reachable thanks to the excellent public transport. It borders the wonderful Parque del Oeste, in which there is an unusual attraction that will take you straight to Egypt, the Temple of Debod. One of the main attractions is the Moncloa lighthouse, from which you have one of the most fascinating panoramic views of Madrid.
Being a university district, the presence of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in the north of the neighborhood makes it ideal for younger people to make friends of the same age here. But the area towards the historic center is also ideal for families, who will find themselves within walking distance of the main attractions and with the big park nearby!
The neighborhood is well served by public transportation to reach other parts of the city. Argüelles is the name of the nearest station for both the metro and the bus.

Average prices in the neighborhood range from about €47,00 for low-cost accommodation to €500,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Madrid de las Austrias

Southwest of Puerta del Sol,it is one of the oldest neighborhoods of the city, made up of small alleys and streets, between century-old churches, lively squares and elegant residences that take you back to the atmosphere of the past, when Madrid was ruled by the Habsburgs. In the side streets, you will find many small restaurants and tapas bars. If you love opera and classical music, the Teatro Real, Madrid's opera house, is also located here. North of the theater, you'll find Plaza de Espana, surrounded by cathedrals and the city's main attractions.
As for accommodation, you can find many apartments, B&Bs and hotels located in historic buildings. Due to its old-world atmosphere, it is an ideal neighborhood especially for couples visiting Madrid for the first time.
The nearby historic center can be visited on foot. To reach the airport or other parts of the city, you have to refer to the three central metro lines (Ópera, Gran Via and Estación de Sol).

Average prices in the neighborhood range from about €50,00 for low-cost accommodation to €500,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Places to stay near Madrid

An entire week would not be enough to visit Madrid itself. In fact, it is a city of enormous dimensions and numerous attractions. In order to visit well and avoid wasting time in moving around, given its proportions, the best choice is definitely to sleep in the city. Moreover, Madrid is also the perfect starting point for various excursions in the surroundings, thanks to the railway network and the many buses. Staying in a small town in the surroundings would lengthen even more the expected time of travel.

If you are in Madrid for business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on Booking.com

Madrid accommodation price map

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