Madrid Accommodation & Cheap Lodging

It is possible that the city that never sleeps has calmed down a little in recent years. However, even though the bars close a bit earlier these days, you can still count on finding a party atmosphere at all times of the day and in all situations. And then, once you have had enough of socializing, you can take a few days out and enjoy the best kilometre of art to be found in Europe. Please enter your travel details in the top left search box for all available Spain accommodation.

Madrid is not as large as it might seem - especially the central districts. Right in the middle of the city is the Puerta del Sol, a traffic nexus that is the "kilometre zero" from which all distances are measured. Also, the house numbering on every street starts at the end nearest the Sol. West and south of the Sol are the oldest areas of the city, Los Austrias, which contain the royal palace (Palacio Real) and the historic and well-trodden square, the Plaza Mayor. The triangular area to the east and south of the Sol, with the Plaza de Cibeles, Atocha Station and the Sol at its corners, is one of the liveliest districts in Madrid, containing as it does countless bars and restaurants. This is also where the three big museums stand in a row, and directly beyond them, the largest park in central Madrid, the Parque del Buen Retiro. Directly south of the Sol is Lavapies - formerly a working class area, but now the most ethnically interesting part of the city thanks to a significant influx of immigrants from Africa and Asia. North of the Puerta del Sol and the parade avenue of Gran Via are the Malasana and Chueca districts. The first of these is an old residential area that has been cleaned up in the last twenty years, whilst remaining one of the city's most relaxed bar districts. Its neighbour, Chueca, has also undergone a rebirth: today it is Madrid's hippest quarter, a centre for a culture of clubbing, restaurants and clothes shops. Originally a gay district, it is now best described as broad-minded.

The Three Big Art Galleries Madrid's three major art galleries are all within a short walk of each other, and together they make up a magnificent display showing the history of western art. The fact is that each of them individually is so large that the Paseo del Arte triple ticket may seem an invitation to exhaustion - but once you have visited one of the three, you then have the rest of the year to take in the other two.

The Thyssen-bornemisza Museum Complements the Thyssen Prado (and the Reina Sofia) with works representing 17th century Dutch painting, impressionism, Russian constructivism and pop art, amongst other styles.

The Reina Sofia Museum Is housed in an enormous former hospital. The building dates from the mid-18th century, and it has had striking glass and steel external lifts added.

Palacio Real Madrid's Royal Palace is a magnificent creation dating from 1764, built to replace the Alcazar castle that had burned down thirty years before.

El Escorial The Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is located about 50 Kilometers northwest of Madrid. It was founded by Felipe II and was built to commemorate the victory at the Battle of San Quintin. The work began in 1563 and ended in 1584 and its location is said to be decided on the advice of astrologers, doctors, philosophers, quarrymen, theologians and architects!

Madrid Restaurants
The varied culinary traditions of the entire Iberian Peninsula come together in Madrid to such a degree that experts discuss whether Madrid actually has a distinct culinary style of its own. The culinary culture of Spain's capital city has been enriched by immigrants from Andalucia, Galicia, Asturia and a number of other regions.

Madrid Bars & Nightlife Because the clever Spaniards think you should always eat when drinking, most bars also serve food – usually tapas. And despite the efforts of the authorities, Madrid's nightlife still happens later than in most other cities.

Madrid Stores and shopping streets
Put simply, there are three shopping areas in Madrid: Centro, located between Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía Chueca, directly to the north and east of Centro and Salamanca, slightly further to the east. These represent three different types of shopping, especially with regard to the range of clothes on offer: middle-of-the-road in Centro, trendy in Chueca and expensive designer labels in Salamanca. In Centro, for example, you will find El Corte Inglés, Spain's largest department store chain, as loved as it is hated, but used by all. Carry on to the Chueca district and Fuencarral – the hottest street in the area. Here you can visit El Mercado de Fuencarral, an entire gallery of clothes to go clubbing in, cool accessories and branded clothes with cred. Close by you can also find The Deli Room, which sells a selection of hip Spanish designer labels displayed in a delicatessen setting. In Salamanca, further to the east, the streets are lined with high-end boutiques: Camper, with the full range of men's and ladies' footwear from Spain's shoe success story, Mercado de La Paz, which is Madrid's most mouth-watering fresh produce market, and Lavinia – Europe's self-proclaimed biggest wine shop. Still not satisfied? Finish off your shopping trip at ABC Serrano in Salamanca, an eight-floor shopping centre with four floors devoted to fashion. Here hot new designers such as Amaya Arzuaga rub shoulders with reliable stand-bys like Zara. There are also cafés, restaurants and a gym.