{"id":238863,"date":"2021-09-28T12:27:22","date_gmt":"2021-09-28T16:27:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=238863"},"modified":"2025-05-30T06:35:27","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T10:35:27","slug":"where-to-stay-madrid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/where-to-stay-madrid\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to Stay in Madrid: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"The<\/p>\n

Ernest Hemingway said that Madrid<\/a> is the most Spanish of Spanish cities. Spend some time in this urban center of 3.2 million people (6.7 in the greater metropolis) and you\u2019ll get a taste of all of Spain.<\/p>\n

It is a bustling hub for foodies and night owls and a sprawling capital with tons to see and do<\/a>. You could easily spend a week here and never get bored.<\/p>\n

But that means there\u2019s a lot of ground to cover if you want to really get a sense of Madrid: within its 21 districts, there are a whopping 131 neighborhoods, each one oozing with its own unique style. <\/p>\n

For the visitor who is only staying, say, a few days<\/a> or a week, this means you had best have an idea about what part of town you want to plant yourself in. <\/p>\n

In this post, I\u2019ll break down the best neighborhoods for different kinds of trips, so you can decide what\u2019s best for you. <\/p>\n

But, before I get into specific neighborhoods and recommended places to stay, let me answer some of the most common questions I get asked:<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the best neighborhood in Madrid for budget travelers? <\/strong>
\nArg\u00fcelles<\/a> is filled with affordable bars, cheap accommodation options, and good but budget-friendly restaurants. <\/p>\n

What\u2019s the best neighborhood for families? <\/strong>
\nRetiro<\/a> is near the park of the same name, and it\u2019s also very quiet and sedate. <\/p>\n

What\u2019s the best neighborhood for nightlife and partying? <\/strong>
\nFor the last 20 or so years, Chueca<\/a> has been the neighborhood for general nightlife fun, as well as a central spot for the city\u2019s LGBTQ community. <\/p>\n

What\u2019s the best neighborhood, overall? <\/strong>
\nLa Latina<\/a> is perfect because it is filled with great tapas bars and it blends right into another great neighborhood, Lavapi\u00e9s<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\n

Madrid Neighborhood Overview<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Best Neighborhood for First-Time Visitors<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Best Neighborhood for Budget Travelers<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Best Neighborhood for Hipsters<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Best Neighborhood for Art Lovers<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Best Neighborhood for Luxury<\/a> <\/li>\n
  6. Best Neighborhood for Families<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Best Neighborhood for Foodies<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Where to Stay for First-Time Visitors: Sol<\/a><\/h3>\n

    \"The
    \nThe sun, or sol in Spanish, is the center of our solar system. And so Sol, or the lovely plaza Puerta del Sol, is the center of Madrid. If it\u2019s your first time in Spain\u2019s capital, this is the place to plant yourself as all the city’s main attractions are either in Sol or near it. Anywhere you stay around the Plaza is going to be super central and you’ll have a lot of accommodation options too. <\/p>\n

    Best Places to Stay in Sol<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

    BUDGET<\/strong>: The Hat Hostel<\/a> \u2013 This boutique hostel is centrally located and really comfortable. It has an excellent breakfast spread, free Wi-Fi, and an outdoor terrace, and is walking distance to all the main sights in the area. The place is super social and the beds are really comfortable too. It’s one of the best hostels in the city.<\/p>\n

    MID-RANGE<\/strong>: Petit Palace Puerta del Sol<\/a> \u2013 Housed in a 19th-century building a few steps from Puerta del Sol, this 64-room property is a bargain given its amenities and location. The simple rooms have flatscreen TVs, a desk, hardwood floors, and hydro-massage showers. You will find comfy beds here too! Request a streetside room for a lovely view. <\/p>\n

    LUXURY<\/strong>: Four Seasons Madrid<\/a> \u2013 The Four Seasons might be the most expensive hotel in town, but it\u2019s also comfortable to the nth degree. The 200 rooms are fit for a prince, and the indoor pool and rooftop restaurant might make you want to trade some of that city exploring time for hotel exploring instead. You can’t get more luxurious than this hotel.
    \n <\/p>\n

    Where to Stay for Budget Travelers: Arg\u00fcelles<\/a><\/h3>\n

    \"The
    \nArg\u00fcelles is a centrally located swatch of town, just a casual stroll from Sol and hip-and-happening Chueca. But given that it\u2019s crammed with university students, it is also overflowing with cheap bars and affordable accommodation options. Don\u2019t miss the nearby Temple of Debod, an ancient temple from 200 BCE that was carted from Egypt and reconstructed here, as well as the immaculate neoclassical Sabatini Gardens.<\/p>\n

    Best Places to Stay in Arg\u00fcelles<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

    BUDGET<\/strong>: ApartHotel Rosales<\/a> \u2013 Offering no-frills apartments with AC and Wi-Fi, this is a budget-friendly choice a mere stone throw away from the sprawling greenery of Parque del Oeste. The apartments aren’t lavish but they are clean, spacious, and the beds are comfortable. It’s quiet too.<\/p>\n

    MID-RANGE<\/strong>: Hotel Indigo Madrid\u2013Princesa<\/a> \u2013 Located just steps from the Arg\u00fcelles metro station, the Indigo is an excellent mid-range accommodation option. The 101 rooms are compact, comfortable, and come with all the usual amenities \u2014 a desk, Wi-Fi, plus-sized TV, and coffee maker. The property itself boasts a gym and a lovely breakfast spread in the in-house restaurant. <\/p>\n

    LUXURY<\/strong>: VP Plaza Espa\u00f1a Design<\/a> \u2013 If you\u2019re going to splurge while staying in Arg\u00fcelles, stay here. The hotel has an array of spacious rooms with some boasting walk-in closets and terraces overlooking the neighborhood. The large rooms come with a beautiful minimalist style, plush beds, and a shower with great water pressure. The 12th-floor Gingko rooftop bar offers spectacular views too.
    \n <\/p>\n

    Where to Stay for Hipsters: Malasa\u00f1a<\/a><\/h3>\n

    \"A
    \nKnown to most Spaniards as being the center of the countercultural Movida movement, sparked when the Franco dictatorship ended in 1975, Malasa\u00f1a still inspires creativity. You can feel the energy in the bustling Plaza del Dos de Mayo. The area is overflowing with hip shops and bars and is very student-friendly. Spend some time caf\u00e9-hopping or browsing the many vintage stores around the neighborhood. If you\u2019re a night owl, there are plenty of lively bars and clubs here too.<\/p>\n

    Best Places to Stay in Malasa\u00f1a<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

    BUDGET<\/strong>: Onefam Sungate<\/a> \u2013 This hostel is clean, spacious, and social. The bunk beds are basic but comfortable, and there is plenty of common space to hang out and meet other travelers. There are regular communal dinners and nightly events too. <\/p>\n

    MID-RANGE<\/strong>: Ibis Madrid Centro<\/a> \u2013 Located on the northern tip of Malasa\u00f1a, this hotel is a bit generic (it’s a chain after all) but it’s affordable, comfortable, and quiet. It’s got all the things you’d accept from a mid-range chain. The breakfast spread is top notch though.<\/li>\n

    LUXURY<\/strong>: C\u00edrculo Gran V\u00eda<\/a> \u2013 As the name suggests, this lovely property sits on the wide, bustling Gran V\u00eda, the city\u2019s main thoroughfare, right on the edge of Malasa\u00f1a. The 71 soundproof rooms have mid-century modern furniture, coffee machines, and USB ports. The plush rooms are spacious and have an incredibly comfy bed with really cozy bedding. It’s a five-star hotel. Adults only!
    \n 
    \n

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    • Travel Planning 101<\/li>
    • 61 Savvy Travel Tips<\/li>
    • The Best Hostels in Europe<\/li>
    • My Favorite Travel Companies<\/li>
    • How to Get Free Flights to Europe<\/li><\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
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