Madrid

Top Attractions

• Gran Via: Stretching from Calle de Alcalá to Plaza de España, Gran Via is one of the most important and upscale shopping streets in Spain. Known as the ‘Great Way’, Gran Via has become a major tourist attraction for its ornate 20th century architecture, and incredible collection of hotels, theatres, bars, and shopping centres.


• Royal Palace of Madrid: Arguably the most exquisite historic building in Madrid is the Royal Palace. Here the Spanish royal family frequently host banquets, state ceremonies, and royal functions. The Palace is usually open to the public, with free admission for members of the EU, however it may close on certain holidays or for official acts.


• Retiro Park: The magnificent Parque del Buen Retiro is the perfect spot to enjoy a leisurely day in the heart of Madrid! Whether you choose to while away the hours in the fabulous Rose Garden, in one of the many open-air cafés, or even rowing on the Retiro Park Lake, any time spent here is sure to be a highlight of your trip to Madrid.


• Santiago Bernabéu Stadium: Odds are if you ask any football fan what they’d most like to visit in Madrid, they’ll reply the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. This massive stadium is home to one of the highest ranking football clubs in the world, Real Madrid C.F., and offers guided tours at certain times every day.

The Golden Triangle of Art

If the challenge of a city break in Spain is to properly immerse yourself in a local culture in a reduced amount of time, the solution can easily be found in visiting the Paseo del Prado, one of the main boulevards in central Madrid. Here you will find three of the most important national museums in Spain, the Museo Nacional Del Prado, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.

Where to eat in Madrid

• Low Cost


• El miniBAR, Calle del Mesón de Paños 1, 28013
• Tinto y Tapas, Calle Almadén 14, 28014
• La Pizzateca, Calle Leon 35, 28014


• Moderately Priced


• Los Montes de Galicia, Calle Azcona 46, 28028
• Mu! El Placer De La Carne, Calle Chinchilla 3, 28013
• Moratin Vinoteca Bistrot, Calle Moratin 36, 28014


• Expensive


• DSTAGE, Calle de Regueros 8, 28004
• La Candela Resto, Calle Amnistia 10, 28013
• DiverXO, Calle de Padre Damian 23, 28036

Nightlife

• Pubs


• Platea, Calle de Goya, 5-7, 28001
• Corral de la Morería, Calle de la Moreria, 17, 28005
• La Venencia, Calle de Echegaray, 7, 28014


• Clubs


• Joy Eslava, Calle del Arenal, 11, 28013
• Serrano 41, Calle de Serrano, 41, 28001
• Penélope, Calle Hilarión Eslava, 36, 28015

Transfers

With Best4Travel you can have a transfer arranged for you from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport straight to your hotel! The approximate transfer times from this airport to the city’s top hotel and tourist destinations are as follows:

• Gran Vía: 30 minutes


• Huertas: 25 minutes


• Lavapiés: 20 minutes


• Malasaña: 35 minutes


• Plaza de España: 25 minutes


• Paseo del Prado: 20 minutes


• Santiago Bernabéu: 20 minutes

Best4Travel Tips

• Currency: Euro (€)


• Language: Spanish


• Time Difference to Ireland: +1 hour


• Flight Time: Approx. 2 hours 35 minutes


• Local Phrases
• Hello : Hola
• Good morning : Buenos días
• How are you? : ¿Cómo estás?
• Good afternoon : Buenas tardes
• Good night : Buenas noches
• Goodbye : Adiós
• Please : Por favor
• Thank you : Gracias
• You’re welcome : De nada
• Where is…? : Dondé está…?
• Do you speak English? : ¿Habla usted Inglés?
• I am from Ireland : Soy de Irlanda


• Public Holidays
• 1st January: New Year’s Day.
• 6th January: Epiphany
• March/April:
• Holy Thursday
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• 1st May: Labour Day
• 2nd May: Community Festival of Madrid
• 15th May: Feast of St. Isidro
• 15th August: Assumption Day
• 12th October: Hispanic Day
• 1st November: All Saints’ Day
• 9th November: Our Lady of the Almudena
• 6th December: Constitution Day
• 8th December: Immaculate Conception Day
• 25th December: Christmas Day