A travel guide to lodging in Madrid, along with a review of the Hotel Europa.
As Spain’s capital, Madrid is a lively, fast-paced city that seamlessly blends old-world traditions with modern energy. Travelers visiting Madrid will discover world-renowned museums, impressive palaces and churches, and a rich cultural heritage brought to life through its theaters and cuisine. Despite its size, Madrid is a surprisingly walkable city, with many of its must-see sites located close to one another. This lodging guide highlights some of the best neighborhoods for travelers and includes a review of Hotel Europa.
Madrid Lodging Tips
Madrid is a large city, and each of its neighborhoods has a distinct personality, ranging from fast-paced and tourist-filled to more low-key areas with a local feel. Choosing the ideal neighborhood for your trip, one that best matches your travel style while still offering a convenient location, can be a challenge. This section highlights four of Madrid’s top neighborhoods and what each offers.
Puerta del Sol
Puerta del Sol is a vibrant square located at the heart of Madrid and marks “Kilometer 0”, the point from which many of Spain’s major roads originate. Lodging in or near the Puerta del Sol is ideal for travelers, not only because of its convenient location but also because the square itself creates a memorable experience. Puerta del Sol features several noteworthy statues and signs, and in December, it is festively decorated with a giant Christmas tree and lights.
From Puerta del Sol, many of the city’s major landmarks – Palacio Real, El Prado, and El Retiro – are within walking distance, as is Plaza Mayor, another important city square. Another advantage of staying in this area is the Sol metro station located directly in the square. This provides convenient access to multiple metro lines and commuter trains, which is especially helpful for travelers interested in taking a daytrip to the nearby city of Toledo.
There are two potential downsides to lodging here. The first, and most important, is that Puerta del Sol is a pedestrian-only zone, meaning taxis and ride-share services may not always have direct access to your hotel. Depending on the time of day or the specific street, travelers may need to walk a short distance to a nearby pick-up or drop-off point. The second is that given its popularity, the square tends to get very crowded, particularly during peak travel seasons such as Easter, summer, and Christmas. My hotel, Hotel Europa, was located next to the Puerta del Sol, and while I appreciated the central location and enjoyed the Christmas decorations, especially in the evenings, I did not like the massive crowds.
Gran Vía
If there is one thing travelers love, it is strolling down famous, bustling boulevards lined with restaurants, stores, and theaters. Similar to Paris’ Avenue des Champs-Élysées and New York City’s Broadway, Madrid’s Gran Vía is an ideal lodging location for those seeking a more urban atmosphere and easy access to dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Gran Vía is an almost one-mile-long street that connects Plaza de España to Calle de Alcalá, one of the city’s major thoroughfares. Along this iconic boulevard, travelers will discover impressive historic buildings, such as the Edificio Metrópolis, numerous restaurants and shops, and convenient access to public transportation. For those who love the nightlife, several rooftop bars along the Gran Vía offer sweeping views of the city.
Hotels in this area are plentiful, but travelers should be mindful that rooms facing the main street may experience traffic noise. When possible, consider requesting a room on a higher floor or one that does not face the Gran Vía directly.
La Latina
South of Plaza Mayor sits one of Madrid’s oldest and most charming neighborhoods – La Latina. Travelers seeking a quieter, more idyllic experience will enjoy this area’s maze of narrow streets lined with historic buildings and traditional tapas bars. Compared to Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía, La Latina has a more relaxed, residential vibe.
This neighborhood is still conveniently located near must-see sights, such as Palacio Real and the Almudena Cathedral, and is home to the Royal Basilica of San Francisco el Grande. La Latina is also where travelers find El Rastro, Madrid’s largest open-air market, which attracts both locals and tourists. Given its residential nature, this is a great place to experience some of Madrid’s traditions, such as locals gathering on the weekends for tapas and vermouth.
Barrio de las Letras (Literary Quarter)
Barrio de las Letras is the quintessential neighborhood for travelers seeking an immersive cultural experience in Madrid. From its cobblestone streets engraved with literary quotes to the tablao dinner theaters featuring flamenco performances, this area brings to life some of the best of Spanish culture.
Once home to Spanish literary legends Cervantes, Lope de Vega, and Quevedo, this area is filled with boutique hotels, art galleries, and cafés. Museum enthusiasts will also enjoy lodging here, as the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum sits at the edge of Barrio de las Letras, while El Prado and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía are a short walk, or taxi ride, away. The historic Teatro Español is also located in this neighborhood.
Review of Hotel Europa
Hotel Europa is a historic hotel dating back to 1860 and is known as the birthplace of Cubist painter Juan Gris. This accommodation offers an unbeatable location just steps from Puerta del Sol and provides guests with an elegant, comfortable experience at an affordable price.
The accommodation was selected by my parents, who were handling the planning for the family’s Christmas trip to Madrid. Travel has generally been a shared experience in our family, so it was especially interesting staying at Hotel Europa, as this is where my mom lodged during her first trip to Europe in the 1970s.
Even though I was traveling with family, I would still recommend this hotel to solo travelers from a safety perspective. The desk has 24/7 coverage, and the hallways are well-lit.
I stayed in a single room, which I found perfect for a solo traveler. Compared to other European single hotel rooms, this one was spacious and had adequate storage. The room included a mini-fridge with one complimentary bottle of water, a coffee maker, and a safe. Despite the hotel’s historic nature, the room was equipped with both air conditioning and heating, as well as plenty of outlets, including several conveniently located near the bed.
One downside to an otherwise lovely room was the limited amount of natural light and the less-than-stellar view. My room faced a small interior courtyard, with the view being the hotel restaurant’s plexiglass roof. On the other hand, a room facing the courtyard rather than Puerta del Sol allows for a quieter experience, especially during the busy holiday season.
The bathroom was also very good, offering enough space for toiletries and plenty of hot water, which was especially appreciated during the cold, rainy days in Madrid. A hair dryer was included, and while efficient, it was on the smaller side, so it took longer to dry my longer hair.
Hotel Europa offers a delicious continental breakfast featuring a variety of bakery items, cold cuts, fresh fruit, eggs, cheeses, and yogurt. There was also fresh coffee and an assortment of juices. I found the breakfast to be hearty and still miss the amazing pineapple-orange juice and manchego cheese. My whole family was satisfied with the breakfast, both the quality and the service.
For those with dietary restrictions, the breakfast includes gluten-free bread and lactose-free milk.
Aside from the comfortable room and excellent breakfast, there are two other advantages to lodging at Hotel Europa. The first is the high quality of customer service. The staff was very attentive throughout my family’s stay, and on the morning of my arrival, when I showed up at 6:50 AM, the young man at reception graciously helped locate an available room so I could check in early.
A second advantage is the connected restaurant, Café Europa. I am always appreciative of hotels with on-site restaurants, and Café Europa was a welcome convenience, offering delicious food and cappuccinos (I will write more about this restaurant in my Madrid dining guide).
Do I recommend Hotel Europa? I highly recommend this hotel and would gladly stay here again on a return trip to Madrid. The property offers the perfect trifecta of a great location, excellent customer service, and clean, comfortable rooms. Hotel Europa is also within walking distance of many of Madrid’s best attractions and near many wonderful restaurants and shops. This allows travelers to make the most of their time in the city while minimizing the need for public transportation.
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