With its impressive artistic and cultural heritage, efficient public transport, a wide range of hotels and dynamic food and drink scene, Madrid is a welcoming destination for business and pleasure.
ARRIVING IN MADRID
All international flights arrive at either Terminal 1, Terminal 2 or the new Terminal 4/4S of Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. Getting to the city center, 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) away, is quick, easy and stress-free. Taxis have a €30 fixed rate for this journey; C-1 trains run every 30 minutes from T4; while Metro Line 8, which stops at T2/T3 and T4, is the quickest option, taking approximately 15-20 minutes. There are plenty of car hire options too. However, visitors from non-EU countries should obtain an International Driver’s Permit ahead of travel or risk being refused a vehicle.
GETTING AROUND
Madrid is a great city to navigate on foot and it also has one of the most thorough and least expensive public transport networks in Europe. Corsorcio de Transportes de Madrid has a handy tool that recommends the best way to travel between different points. The extensive metro has 12 lines with 300 stations, and there are also comprehensive rail and bus networks. An Abono Transportes Turístico pass, available at metro stations, provides unlimited metro and bus travel for one, two, three, five or seven days. Taxis can be readily flagged down and are reasonably priced. However, if you are going outside the city limits, the driver is entitled to charge you twice the rate on the meter so check first.
WHERE TO STAY
- Conveniently located in the heart of urban Madrid, ME Madrid Hotel is an ideal base for both business and leisure stays with all the main theaters, boutiques, and nightlife on its doorstep. Head to the Radio ME Madrid Rooftop Bar on the terrace for spectacular city views or enjoy innovative Mediterranean-style cuisine at the Ana la Santa Restaurant.
- Meliá Serrano Hotel is located in the Barrio de Salamanca, one of the most exclusive areas in the city center. Here you will find all the high-end fashion boutiques as well as Madrid’s most popular museums and attractions. The Arado Restaurant, with design inspired by a traditional grocery store, is a new informal dining concept that brings a modern flair to traditional recipes.
- Hesperia Madrid, located in the financial district, features a unique open-air “sky gym,” Michelin-starred restaurant, sushi bar, scotch bar, and multiple meeting spaces.
- The small but stylish DoubleTree by Hilton Madrid-Prado has challenged perceptions and garnered rave reviews since opening in 2017. The Asian-fusion restaurant is highly recommended.
BEST PLACES TO EAT
- Amazonico, with its jungle greenery and flavor-packed menu, is a current hot ticket.
- Established in 1725, Restaurante Sobrino de Botín is the oldest restaurant in the world, according to Guinness World Records, and is famous for its roast suckling pig.
- The 15-course tasting menu at Michelin-starred DStage is exceptional and not to be missed.
- La Tasquita de Enfrente represents market cooking at its best. There are no menus, just delicious dishes of the day.
- For a traditional sweet treat of deep-fried churros and a cup of hot chocolate for dipping, head to the renowned San Gines.
WHERE TO MEET FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES FOR DRINKS
- For Madrid’s best draught beers, served in double-size cañas and accompanied by free tapas, head to the traditional El Doble. Calle de José Abascal, 16.
- Surround yourself with the city’s history at the art deco Museo Chicote. Known for its cocktails, it has welcomed everyone from Ava Gardner to Ernest Hemingway.
- A popular haunt since the 1930s, the inconspicuous and authentic La Venencia serves just five varieties of sherry. Calle de Echegaray, 7.
- Casa Gonzalez is a historic bodega and home to 210 Spanish wines, 45 of which come by the glass. The bar also doubles as a delicatessen.
FREE TIME IN MADRID? FIVE THINGS TO SEE AND DO
- Explore the recently restored Estacíon de Chamberí, a ghost metro station operational from 1919-1966.
- Visit Museo Lazaro Galdiano, a small, often overlooked, museum packed with works by El Greco, Bosch, and Goya.
- Soak up the atmosphere in the temple of European football with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid.
- Marvel at the stunning fresco on the ceiling of the baroque San Antonio de los Alemanes Church. Calle de la Puebla, 22.
- Try before you buy at Mercado San Miguel, an art nouveau gastronomic marketplace selling everything from local cheeses to cava.
Please drink responsibly. The minimum drinking age in Madrid is 18 years. Do not drink and drive.
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