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Since the 17th century, Madrid has served as Spain's capital. Perhaps when you think about Madrid, the first things that come to mind are bullfights, tapas, and flamenco. However, in addition to all of that, Madrid is also home to the oldest restaurant in the world as well as the Golden Triangle of Art (the Prado, the Thyssen, and the Reina Sofia). Marid is not just steeped in history and architecture, but also has world-class art galleries, boutiques, and exciting nightlife. Both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, two of the best football teams in the world, call this collegiate town home. Madrid is a well-rounded destination, with a wide range of cultural institutions and culinary options.
Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) is the main airport servicing the city and one of numerous airports in Spain. With an area of more than 3,050 acres, it is Europe's second-largest airport. In 2019, it transported an estimated 61.8 million people. The airport is now the busiest in the nation and the sixth busiest in Europe. This airport is used by several major airlines, including Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, and Lufthansa. Travelers from Madrid International Airport most often fly to Frankfurt, Toronto, Atlanta, Dubai, or Hong Kong.
When it comes to hiring a vehicle in Madrid, passengers have a wide range of options to choose from. Make your way to Terminal 1 or Terminal 4 to find a car hire kiosk. The main car hire firms are located at Terminal 1's Ground Zero, also known as Parking Lot P1. Terminal 4 is located on the airport's lower level, near parking garage P4. Follow the airport's clear signage to get there. Airport visitors may choose from a wide variety of car hire firms, including Sixt, Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Goldcar, and Enterprise. You may also reserve a vehicle in advance with a seating capacity and other features (such as a child seat or overhead luggage rack) suitable for your needs and the number of passengers in your party. Agency fleets often include a wide range of vehicle sizes, from city cars to SUVs. After you’ve picked up your hire car, downtown Madrid is about 30 minutes away by road.
Taxis, Uber, trains, and buses provide good public transit in Madrid. While the buses run on over 200 routes, they have schedules and may not take you everywhere you want to go, particularly if you want to visit rural locations. Do not be concerned if you did not hire a vehicle at the airport. There are car hire companies all across Madrid. Because of the difference in airport vs. city pricing, hiring a vehicle downtown may even help you save money. Furthermore, since parking spots at the airport are limited, you may find a wider range of automobiles to choose from in downtown Madrid. Whether you're on a solo trip or bringing the whole family along, you can find a hire car in the city that suits your requirements.
Madrid's streets can be a lot of fun to drive through. Nevertheless, the following driving advice should be taken into account to ensure a smooth trip:
If you have more than two years of driving experience, the legal blood alcohol limit in Spain is 50 mg per 100 ml. In all other cases, it is 25 mg per 100 ml of blood. Drivers who violate the law are immediately fined 500 euros or given jail time.
Residential zones and city roads have respective speed limits of 20 km/h and 30–50 km/h.
National highways and motorways each have a speed limit of 100 and 120 kilometers per hour, respectively.
Driving while using a mobile device is prohibited and can result in fines of up to 200 euros.
Car hire agencies in Madrid offer a wide variety of vehicles perfect for any occasion, be it a business trip, honeymoon, or trip with close friends. Leading car hire companies in Madrid include Sixt, Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Goldcar, and Enterprise. In addition, some of the most popular car brands in the Spanish capital are Toyota, Nissan, Opel, Volkswagen, and Hyundai.
Madrid is a bustling city with much to offer new visitors. However, after you've finished touring the city, it's time to go on a road trip. Here are a few locations worth seeing from Madrid.
Toledo, one of the top UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the nation, is definitely a joy to see. It is known as the city of three cultures, owing to the existence of three religious groups: Christians, Muslims, and Jews, who have coexisted peacefully for many decades. This is obvious from the start when you visit Toledo and see the religious structures. The nicest thing about Toledo is that it is located in a canyon with spectacular views of the Rio Tajo.
Take a day excursion to Segovia's Alcázar and the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso if you want to imagine yourself as royalty and tour old castles. Another renowned attraction in Segovia is the Aqueduct, which contains 167 arches and two tires that have withstood the test of time. The castle was almost destroyed as a major fire broke out. Nonetheless, it has been repaired and now stands tall.
Patones de Arriba is a quaint, medieval town with slate-rock structures that each tell their own tale. Although the structures themselves are works of art, the springtime ivy and vine growth adds a lovely aesthetic. Travelers with a penchant for the past won't want to miss the town of Old Town. There is a society here that predates the Romans, and there are caverns here that were utilized in the third century BCE, complete with artifacts from that time. From Madrid, a drive to Patones de Arriba takes about 45 minutes.
Our customers rated Madrid with an average of 9.3 based on 3 ratings, and these are the most recent tips, experiences and highlights.