Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, being located in a central region of this country. Madrid represents the vibrant sights and sounds of Spain as country and its eclectic culture. Madrid is the location of the home ground of the world famous football team Real Madrid, Spain’s National fiesta and too many of Spain’s most famous cultural history in terms of art and architecture. Madrid is a city that prides itself of being cosmopolitan without losing the beauty and calming nature of open spaces. Madrid has a number of museums including the Prado Museum and the Thyssen Museum, while also being home to beautiful monuments are parks. Madrid’s main airport, Barajas airport, allows close links with neighbouring countries and Europe, which is strengthened by the excellent rail networks within the city and country. For the holiday maker wishing to have the freedom of their own car, hire cars are available from the airport directly with Do You Spain car hire, Europ Car hire and Economy car rentals.
Madrid Airport information
Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) is located 8 miles north east of the city center. It’s a big airport composed of four terminals; however, a free shuttle bus is available between them. ATMs and Bureau de change are available throughout the airport and a 24 hour bank is located in Terminal 1. Wireless Internet is also accessible in all the terminals. There is a multitude of shops, including duty-free, and over thirty food outlets. VIP lounges are positioned in every terminal and a Business Center can be found in Terminal 2. There are excellent disabled facilities, including elevators, toilets, parking spaces and wheelchairs on request. If you require any assistance there are over 20 information desks scattered throughout the airport, any of which would be able to assist you with cheap car hire in Madrid.
Places to visit around Madrid
Madrid’s most popular square is Puerta del Sol. Here, you can find the city’s symbol of a bear and strawberry tree immortalized as a monument. Plaza Major is another impressive square in which visitors can marvel at 17th century architecture while relaxing in a cafe or window shopping. Another famous icon, the fountain which depicts a chariot carrying the Greco-Roman goddess of fertility, can be found in the Plaza de Cibeles.
Those who enjoy artwork should wander down the Paseo del Arte which links three of Madrid’s most prestigious galleries: Thyssen-Bornemisza, Prado, and Reina Sofia. The Monasterios de las Descalzas Reales is a convent built from the 16th century. Guided tours are available and worth it to admire the paintings, tapestries and sculptures amongst other treasures. A piece of attractive architecture is the white-stoned Palacio Real. Guided tours are also available, and the halls and throne room are stunning. From the gardens surrounding the palace you can get picturesque views of the city.
The Templo de Debod is an Egyptian temple donated to the city by Egypt in the 1960s: it’s the only intact Egyptian temple outside of Egypt. Another popular landmark is Las Ventas. This bullring was built in the early 20th century and the massive arena still continues to host this controversial sport. With so much on offer, car hire in Madrid is a sure way to see all that you want to see.
To escape the bustle of the city, Madrid is home to a number of beautiful parks. This includes the Parque del Buen Retiro from which you can take boat rides on the lake. Sunday mornings are a particularly good time to go as the park comes alive with street entertainers and fortune tellers. Parque Juan Carlos I is the largest park in Madrid and holds an interesting collection of macro-sculptures. The Jardin Botanico is a fantastic botanical garden with a whole array of species. In addition, the Faunia Parque de Madrid is another landscaped park and it’s been designed so that each of the ten pavilions represents a particular ecosystem.
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