Where to stay in Madrid, Spain: best areas and hotels

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is easy to explore on foot and by metro, but the area you sleep in shapes your stay: landmarks on your doorstep, a big park for the children, shopping streets or a football stadium. Here are the best areas to stay in Madrid for your kind of trip, what to check before booking, and how to pay for your Madrid hotel in Algerian dinars, without a bank card.

A quick note first: this guide is about Madrid in Spain. If you are looking for a hotel around Madrid on the coast of Béni Saf, in the wilaya of Aïn Témouchent in Algeria, see our page for TH Hotel in Béni Saf instead.

Sol and Gran Vía: the centre, for a first visit

Puerta del Sol is the symbolic heart of Madrid. Nearby, Gran Vía, the main avenue of the centre, is lined with cinemas, theatres, hotels and department stores. This is the city's main tourist hub.

Best for: a short first visit, doing everything on foot.

Before you book: the centre stays lively late into the evening. If you are a light sleeper, ask for a room facing the courtyard rather than the street.

Madrid de los Austrias: the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor

The Austrias quarter is old Madrid, home to the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor, the city's great historic square. Right next to it, La Latina is known for its tapas bars and the Rastro market.

Best for: history lovers, couples and groups of friends.

Paseo del Prado and the Retiro: museums and a great park

The Paseo del Prado is Madrid's museum mile, with the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums. Close by, Retiro Park is the city's best-known park.

Best for: families with children, who like having a park near the hotel, and museum lovers.

Before you book: check the nearest metro station on the map, especially if you are travelling with a pushchair.

Salamanca: upmarket shopping

Salamanca is Madrid's smart district, between the Paseo de la Castellana and Retiro Park, with luxury boutiques and fine restaurants.

Best for: shopping, and travellers who prefer an elegant neighbourhood.

La Castellana: business and the Santiago Bernabéu

The Paseo de la Castellana is the great avenue of Madrid's business districts. It is also home to the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, the ground of Real Madrid.

Best for: business trips, and fans coming for a match. Match tickets are not part of your hotel booking: buy them through the club's official channels.

Malasaña and Chueca: for nights out

Malasaña and Chueca are two young, lively neighbourhoods, known for their bars, shops and nightlife.

Best for: young travellers and groups of friends. With a family, choose a quieter area for the evenings.

Getting to Madrid

The airport. Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport is linked to the centre by public transport. Your hotel's exact address is on your booking voucher.

By train. Atocha station, the largest in Madrid, connects the capital with many Spanish cities. Staying nearby is handy if you are travelling on by train.

Book your Madrid hotel in dinars

On our Spain page, choose your dates: prices and availability are shown live, and cancellation terms appear before you confirm. Send your request; our team confirms availability and price with the hotel. From Algeria, you pay in dinars, without a bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly office. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you once payment is made.

For details on paying without a card, read how to book a hotel without a bank card. Preparing your visa? Our guide to hotel booking for a Spain visa explains what you need to know. Adding the seaside to your trip? See where to stay in Barcelona.

Frequently asked questions

Which area is best for a first visit to Madrid? Sol and Gran Vía, to do everything on foot, or the Austrias quarter around the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor.

Where should we stay in Madrid with children? Near Retiro Park and the Paseo del Prado museums, or in Salamanca. Nightlife areas such as Malasaña and Chueca are less quiet in the evening.

Is the "Madrid" hotel in Béni Saf in Spain? No. Madrid is also the name of an area on the coast of Béni Saf, in the wilaya of Aïn Témouchent, Algeria. For a stay there, see our page for TH Hotel.

Can I pay for my Madrid hotel in Algerian dinars? Yes. From Algeria you pay in dinars by BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our office; from abroad, online by bank card.

Do I need a visa for Madrid? As a rule, Algerian citizens need a Schengen visa for Spain. Check the current conditions with the consulate or the official website before you travel.

See our hotels in Madrid

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.