Madrid is one of my favorite cities in Europe. The Spanish capital has so many things to offer: historical buildings, flamenco shows, delicious tapas, and plenty of other tourist attractions. While you’re in Madrid I highly recommend you take a day trip to Segovia and Toledo. In this blog post I’ll share the where to stay in Madrid first time you visit, as well as some of the best hotels in the city. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.
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Plaza Mayor
The iconic Plaza Mayor used to be the center of old Madrid. It’s located in the heart of Madrid. This rectangular plaza, which opened in 1620, has majestic architecture and cobblestones.
Pestana Plaza Mayor
Pestana Plaza Mayor is a 4-star hotel that has 34 rooms that face the famous square. These rooms also have balconies so you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of Spanish wine and people watch from the comfort of your room.
The hotel also has a pool and a spa so you can relax and pamper yourself while in the capital of Spain. It’s a great place to stay if you would like to be in one of the most popular areas of the city.
Petit Palace Plaza Mayor
Petit Palace is a boutique hotel next to Plaza Mayor. Fun fact: four minutes away from this hotel is another Petit Palace hotel, Posada del Peine. This is the oldest hotel in Spain (over 400 years old!).
The Plaza Mayor hotel is located in a historical building, but it has all the amenities you would expect from a modern hotel. Their rooms even come with hydromassage showers.
It has free Wi-Fi and luggage storage, and flexible check-out times on Sundays and Mondays until 3 pm.
You will be very close to Mercado de San Miguel and plenty of tapas bars and restaurants, so you’ll be able to sample everything that the Spanish cuisine has to offer.
Puerta del Sol
Puerta del Sol is another famous plaza in Madrid’s city center. This is where you can find the Kilometer 0 plaque. This is the origin of all roads in Spain, hence the name. You can also find the statue of the bear and strawberry tree (El Oso y el Madroño) here.
Petit Palace Puerta del Sol
Petit Palace Puerta del Sol is a boutique hotel on Calle Arenal very close to Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor.
It has soundproof rooms, so even though you stay in a busy area it won’t be noisy.
The hotel has plenty of common spaces, so you can bring take-out food and eat it at the hotel. Or you can just hang out after a day of exploring the cultural attractions in Madrid.
They are a pet-friendly hotel so you can bring your furry friend with you on the trip. They provide free bikes with child seats, free wifi, and flexible check-out times on Sundays and Mondays until 3 pm.
Hotel Catalonia Puerta del Sol
Hotel Catalonia Puerta del Sol is a 4 star hotel located in an 18-century building in the center of Madrid. It has spacious rooms with flat-screen TVs, a minibar and Nespresso machines.
Even though it’s a central Madrid hotel, it’s on a quieter street so you won’t have to deal with a lot of noise. You can’t beat the location as you will be walking distance to all must-see attractions.
Barrio de las Letras
Barrio de las Letras was home to famous 17th-century writers such as Lope de Vega. Nowadays there are plenty of flamenco tablaos, cafes and restaurants. The entire area has cobblestone streets and a very cool vibe.
It is one of the best areas to stay for first time visitors and the neighborhood where I stayed when I visited Madrid.
Hotel NH Palacio de Tepa Madrid
I stayed at NH Collection Madrid Palacio de Tepa in the city center. The hotel has a central location in the charming neighborhood of Barrio de las Letras. It’s a short walk to Plaza Mayor.
If you stay here, you will be able to walk to most tourist attractions, including Teatro Real, The Royal Palace of Madrid, and Prado Museum.
The hotel is very close to Plaza Santa Ana, a cute plaza with a lot of restaurants and cafes. There are plenty of dining options nearby where you can get dinner, tapas, or just a drink to cap a night of exploring the Spanish capital city.
I recommend you try the following restaurants in Plaza de Santa Ana: Vi cool, Tapa Tapa Santa Ana, and Taberna el Sur de Huertas.
The hotel room was clean and cozy, and service was 10/10. The rooms are designed in a modern style with hardwood floors even though the building of the hotel is a palace built in the 19th century.
They brought me some brownies to my room since I visited Madrid around my birthday. I thought this was such a sweet gesture! You can read my full review of this hotel here. I think this boutique hotel is the perfect place to stay for first-time visitors.
Hotel Catalonia las Cortes
Another great Hotel Catalonia is the las Cortes location. This one, just like the Puerta del Sol location, is set in an 18th century building. It’s a short walk from the Prado Museum and Gran Via.
They offer free snacks to all their guests. You can stop by the snack location and pick anything you want from a variety of salads, sandwiches, yogurt, pastries, nuts, smoothies, teas, and soft drinks.
They also have a restaurant on site and you can order room service if you want to relax in your room instead of dining at the restaurant.
Room Mate Alba Hotel
Room Mate Alba is a stylish boutique hotel in the Barrio de las Letras. They offer breakfast until 12pm so you can sleep in.
The rooms are beautifully decorated and they offer all amenities you would need. The hotel is dog friendly.
There is a lounge bar onsite so you can relax with a drink in the afternoon. And they also have a 24/7 fitness center so you can work out any time of the day.
Madrid de los Austrias
This is the name used for the old center of Madrid, built during the reign of the Habsburg Dynasty. The neighborhood is located south of Calle Mayor, in between Sol and Opera.
Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá
Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá is a 5-star hotel located right on the main street of the Madrid de los Austrias area.
This luxury hotel combines two historic buildings: a 13th century convent and a 19th century palace. It is inspired by the work of Velázquez.
They have 160 rooms, including 20 suites. Every guest can benefit from free transfer to the city center in a luxury van from 9am to 9pm.
The hotel has an amazing rooftop terrace and infinity pool, and it also has beautifully manicured gardens. If you stay here it will definitely be a memorable luxurious stay.
Hotel Preciados
Hotel Preciados is a 4-star boutique hotel. It is located in a renovated 19th century building.
The rooms are beautifully decorated and most of them have balconies. The hotel offers free wifi and a minibar in every room.
There is a restaurant on site if you don’t want to go out.
Gran Vía
Gran Via is the best shopping avenue of Madrid, similar to Fifth Avenue in New York City. It’s perfect for strolling and shopping. It’s a central avenue so you’ll be within walking distance of the main attractions.
Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid
Hyatt Centric Gran Via is a luxury hotel located on Madrid’s top shopping avenue. The rooms are stylish and are decorated with artworks by local artists.
It is one of the best luxury hotels in Madrid. The location is perfect if you want to be able to walk to most attractions.
They have a restaurant onsite, a 24-hour fitness center that even has a pilates reformer, and a rooftop bar with amazing views of Gran Via.
Hotel NH Collection Madrid Gran Vía
Hotel NH Collection Madrid Gran Vía is an elegant 4-star hotel. It has 94 soundproof rooms, each with its own Nespresso coffee machine.
The Superior rooms, Premium rooms and Junior suites have views over Gran Vía.
The hotel has a restaurant and a rooftop cocktail bar that has its own mixologist. The terrace is looked over by a sculpture of the Titan God Atlas.
Plaza de Chueca
Chueca is the name of the neighborhood right next to Gran Via. It is the LGBTQ+ epicenter of Madrid and it is known for its lively nightlife scene.
Only YOU Boutique Hotel Madrid
Only YOU is a 4-star boutique hotel that is located in a renovated 19th century palace. The interior design blends modern elements with Colonial details.
The interior design won them several international awards such as the Best Boutique Hotel in the World in the Design Category.
They have a restaurant on site that also serves gluten free dishes. And next to it, in an old bookstore, is their cocktail bar.
Room Mate Oscar
Room Mate Oscar is a hotel in the heart of Chueca that has an amazing rooftop pool and bar. The rooftop area has a 360 view of the city.
The rooms are spacious and are all decorated in a modern style with vibrant colors.
Plaza de España
This is a large square in central Madrid, close to the Palacio Real. It is located at the western end of Gran Vía. This is where you can find a Miguel de Cervantes monument and two of Madrid’s most prominent skyscrapers.
Hotel Riu Plaza España
Hotel Riu Plaza España is located in the 8th tallest building in Madrid. It’s a historic skyscraper in Madrid that you can easily recognize.
It’s a large hotel that has over 550 rooms to pick from. But in my opinion the selling point is their amazing Sky Bar with breathtaking views of Madrid. And their outdoor pool on the 21st floor.
Barceló Torre de Madrid
Barceló Torre de Madrid is a 5-star hotel that has over 250 rooms, an indoor pool, and an on-site restaurant. The building where the hotel is located is a symbol of Madrid. That’s because for several years it was the tallest concrete building in the world.
The hotel has great amenities and service. It’s set in a prime location. And the views from the rooms are gorgeous.
Barrio de la Latina
This is one of the city’s historic neighborhoods and it’s the oldest part of Madrid as we know it today. It is a lively neighborhood and it is full of tapas bars and bars and terraces with beer on tap.
Posada del León de Oro Boutique Hotel
Posada del León de Oro is a small boutique hotel with just 17 rooms. It is located in a building from the 19th century with a courtyard.
They have a restaurant on-site that apparently has the most extensive wine list of any restaurant in Madrid.
Posada del Dragón Boutique Hotel
Posada del Dragón is a 4-star hotel located in a historical building. The rooms have balconies overlooking the beautiful streets of la Latina neighborhood.
The hotel was once one of the areas that formed part of the Christian wall in the 12th century. The remains of the wall, a marble bathtub, a basin and a wooden staircase can still be seen under the windows.
Then in the 18th century it was a place where bread was stored and where its distribution and sale were regulated. Then in the 19th century it was renovated and it became a guesthouse.
This hotel has a very rich history, an incredible location, and great service and amenities.
Atocha
This is the neighborhood close to the Atocha train station, Madrid’s main train station. It is full of museums such as Reina Sofía, where you can see Picasso’s masterpiece La Guernica. It also has trendy cafes and many restaurants.
Atocha Hotel Madrid, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Atocha Hotel Madrid is a 4-star hotel with modern rooms, an onsite restaurant, and good service. It’s a great choice if you’re part of the Hilton loyalty program since you’ll get points for your stay here.
It’s also perfect if you plan on taking day trips by train or if you’re going to a different city after Madrid and you’ll take the train to get there.
Hotel NH Madrid Nacional
Hotel NH Madrid Nacional is a 4-star hotel on Paseo del Prado. It is an eco-friendly hotel with rooms that offer everything that you want from a hotel.
It is a short walk from both the Atocha train station and the museums that create Madrid’s Art Triangle.
FAQs about Madrid
Best time to visit Madrid
I went in October and it was perfect. The weather is still pretty warm, but there are less tourists compared to the peak summer months. May could also be a great option.
I tend to avoid Europe summer travel because it gets so hot and there are so many tourists everywhere that it takes away from the experience for me. I’d rather wait a few months and go in the fall so I can properly enjoy the destinations I’m visiting.
Weather in Madrid gets very hot and humid during the summer months, so it can be very uncomfortable to spend the entire day outside, exploring. August is usually vacation month for most European countries, including Spain, so many restaurants and shops will be closed.
How can I get to the city center from Adolfo Suarez Madrid–Barajas Airport?
Train
You can take the RENFE train from terminal T4. If you land at other terminals you can take a free shuttle bus to take you to T4 to catch the train. A round trip costs 5.2 euros. There are trains leaving T4 every 15 minutes. The trains do not operate during the night though. If you take the train you should get to Atocha Train Station in about 30 minutes.
Bus
You can take Bus Line 203 which will take you to Atocha Train Station in about 45 minutes. Follow the “Airport Express Aeropuerto” sign to get to the two bus stops located at the Departures and Arrivals levels of T1 and T2, as well as the on the ground level of T4. Buses run 24/7. Bus tickets cost 5 euros and you can buy them on the bus using either cash or a credit card.
Metro
Taking the metro is a bit more complicated. From the airport you can take the Pink Metro Line 8. However, you will have to switch to Metro Line 10 or Metro Line 1 at Nuevos Ministerios Station. There are two airport subway stations, one at T4 and another one on the first floor of T2 which serves T1, T2, and T3. A ticket costs around 5 euros.
Taxi / uber
This is the most convenient option since it leaves you right in front of your hotel. Taxis have a flat fee of 30 euros. Ubers are a bit cheaper. Alternatively you can also schedule a private transfer.
How to get cell phone data when visiting from abroad?
The cheapest and most convenient way to get data while visiting from abroad is to buy an eSIM. An eSIM is a digital SIM that lets you activate a data plan from a provider without having to use a physical SIM card. They are super easy to use.
I use Airalo. You can go to their website, select the country you’re traveling to, select how many GB of data you want, and how many days you want the eSIM to be active for. After you pay you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to activate the eSIM.
You can activate it on your phone and the process takes under 1 minute. Once the eSIM is activated you don’t have to do anything else. When you’re at your destination you will automatically get data.
Is Madrid safe for a solo female traveler?
Yes, Madrid is pretty safe, but you do have to be aware of your surroundings. There were 2 instances when I didn’t feel safe, both of them due to pickpockets:
- A hotel concierge alerted a group of tourists walking across the street from the Prado museum that there were pickpockets trying to steal from them.
- On my day trip to Segovia and Toledo the tour guide asked us to let two people pass by. It turns out that those two people were pickpockets who were trying to target our group.
As long as you’re on high alert, as you should be anytime you travel solo, you’ll be fine.
Do I need cash for my trip to Madrid?
I didn’t use cash at all when I visited, I paid for everything with a credit card. But it’s always recommended to carry some cash with you so you can tip tour guides or buy souvenirs or something else from small mom-and-pop shops who don’t accept credit cards.
Pro tip: always get cash from an ATM in the airport instead of going to an exchange place. Your bank will always have better exchange rates when taking out cash in a foreign currency from an ATM.
How can I get around Madrid?
Madrid is a very walkable city and it has a great subway system with stations near all major attractions in case your hotel is further away from the city center. If you don’t like to take the subway you can always take an uber.
Do I have to tip in Madrid?
Tipping is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged. I usually leave 1-2 euros as tip when I eat out. They highly appreciate it when you do this.
Do I need to book tickets for attractions in advance?
I highly recommend you book all the tickets online in advance of your trip. Madrid is a very popular destination so it’s very likely that tickets will sell out. Especially if you visit during the summer months. Booking in advance will give you peace of mind.
Do people speak English in Madrid?
Yes, they do. Madrid attracts a lot of visitors each year and, as you can imagine, not all tourists speak Spanish. I still recommend you learn a few words in Spanish ahead of your trip though. I do this for every country I visit.
What Spanish words should I learn before my trip to Madrid?
- Hola = hello
- Adiós = goodbye
- Gracias = thank you
- De nada = you’re welcome
- Sí = yes
- No = no
- Encantado/a = Nice to meet you
- Tarjeta = credit card
- Hablas inglés? = Do you speak English?
- Me puedes ayudar? = Can you help me?
- Dónde está el baño? = Where is the bathroom?
- No entiendo = I do not understand
- Puedes tomarme una foto? = Can you take a picture of me?
Do you recommend Madrid as a solo destination?
I 100% recommend Madrid as a destination for solo female travelers. Madrid is a great city for solo travel. It’s one of my favorite places in Europe.
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Ioana was born and raised in Romania, lived in NYC for 14 years, and is now back in Romania. She fell in love with traveling when she was little and used to visit her aunt in Vienna. Then in high school she was able to visit Siberia, Turkmenistan, Istanbul, and Tokyo through chemistry competitions. As an adult she started to travel solo once she turned 30 and visited 20+ countries so far. Ioana is a full time travel blogger and content creator with an audience of 75K+ people on Instagram. She loves to share travel recommendations and tips.