Madrid - which area ?

mto

We're off to Madrid for a week in September and will be renting an apartment rather than staying in a hotel, and i was wondering if anyone could tell me which is the best area to stay in? We will be self catering so need to be able to get to a supermarket/grocers, but would also like to be within walking distance of the main sights. Also is the metro easy to use?

dmg24

Am having a blonde moment and can't for the life of me remember where I stayed, but I can remember (just!) that the metro in Madrid is fantastic. Clean, and easy to use. IMO it is the best in Europe.

Enjoy! x

Edit: Gran Via is ringing very loud bells?!

vivatifosi

Hi mto

As dmg24 says, Gran Via is a good area to stay in. Plenty of good hotels, but not sure about self catering. The metro system is indeed very good so as long as you are near to one you should be fine. I stayed several times with friends in the outskirts but we could get everywhere easily.

The one area I didn't like is by the flea market as I had my bag slashed there, so that coloured my judgement. But then on the other hand saying don't go there would be like saying don't go to Leicester Square in London, Las Ramblas in Barcelona or any other area that you know there are pickpockets. You just need to keep your wits about you (I knew pickpockets were operating there so they got away with nothing as my bag was a decoy and the other one was across my body).

I love Retiro Park too. I think it is one of the most beautiful city parks in the world. And the Prado.... mmmmmmmmmmmmm.... Wish I was there now!

willowthecat

I was in Madrid about four weeks ago and it's a very nice city

I don't know if you've booked your apartment/hotel yet but I stayed at a place called the Apartmentos Tribunal, which is one of those hotel room with a kitchenette places, right next to Tribunal metro stop.

It's not the fanciest place on the planet as I don't think it's been re-decorated since the 1970s, but we had a massive room on the top floor for about £55 a night.

The area looks a bit dark and dingy but its perfectly safe as there are loads of people around at night, and it reminded me a little of Las Ramblas in Barcelona. The tapas bars around there, again look a bit scruffy, but do far better tapas and cheaper than further in the centre of town.