Madrid is more of a working city than a tourist attraction. But even the locals leave during the summer because it's just so darned hot. Tip: look for a "Solero Smoover" (tropical smoothy in a tube... mmm) here and everywhere else in Europe to beat the heat.
Madrid is a GREAT city to visit! With two of the better museums in all of Europe, The Prado and The Reina Sofia, this is a city that the art lovers and those with a casual interest in art will not want to miss.
Another site that is often overlooked is in the church San Antonio de la Florida which houses some amazing frescoes by Goya. They were so popular even in his time that the church goers were so overcome by tourists that they were forced to build an identical church next door so that they could worship in peace! Nearby is the hill where many insurgent Spaniards were executed by the French on May 3rd; the same powerful scene that Goya depicts on canvas located in the Prado. There is also an restaurant in the vicinity that serves whole roasted chicken and apple cider (the alcohol variety) that always packs people in.
If you are there during the season, be sure to go to a Real Madrid futbol (read: soccer) game. Even if you don't know anything about soccer, you will be…
Madrid is not dangerous at all, providing you be very careful with your bag and wallet! I suggest sightseeing with a photocopy of your documents in the bag, and leave the originals in the hotel room, so if you lose your bag you don't have to spend your last few days of holiday in the council to ask for a new passport -- there's always a big queue!
I've been to Madrid thousands of times, I've never been especially cautious or anything, and I've walked the city day and night... I never had anything stolen, the city is actually safe. As in any city of 5 million people, you need to be a bit more vigilant I guess, and leaving lugagge unattended or stuff like that is certainly not smart... just do what you would do back at home, no more, no less.
There are a lot of cheap hostels and pensions near the metro station "Sol" which is in the middle of the city. Madrid is very quiet indeed.
Be CAREFUL in Madrid. We had our cell phone stolen from our hostel and then two days later our bags stolen from a metro station! Despite what you're thinking, we were being very cautious. We heard lots of similar stories. Watch your pockets and bags, and if you obviously look like a tourist and someone asks you for directions, immediatly check that your wallet's there... that's how they get you!
I liked Madrid -- a great place to visit. I was there over Christmas of '06 -- flew from Faro-Madrid direct.
Madrid … Spain is not dangerous, but there are petty crimes everywhere. You'll be safe -- just not your belongings. Definitely be more cautious and always check that your belongings are with you. Don't be obvious about being a tourist.
Barbieri International Hostel in Madrid … I'm a fan of Barbieri Hostel. The rooms are standard. But the high points are the staff, the location, and the chance to meet lots of cool people. I had a great time while I was there and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone! Viva Madrid!
Cat's Hostel in Madrid … Personally, i really liked this hostel. It was the "coolest" one i stayed in in my three-week tour, the courtyard was great to relax in, and lovely and quiet, and beautiful as well. It had great facilities, the free breakfast was a godsend, as was free internet. The bar was great to meet people in before going on a night out, and the parties were pretty good! It was the first place i stayed in, and one of the best. Bad points -- in a bit of a rough area, like the madrid equivalent of chinatown in london! Also, the staff were just so unfriendly, and wouldn't tell you where anything was! No kitchen as well meant extra expense from eating out. But i would definitely recommend it!
La Posada de Huertas Hostel in Madrid … This is party central. Great location — one block from Santa Ana and the center of the nightlife. There is a huge common area/kitchen on the ground floor that everyone uses. The old bloke who runs the desk at night is great. The facilities are clean.
The big frustration is the 10 a.m. lockout for three hours so they can clean.
Barbieri International Hostel in Madrid … We stayed at this hostel and ended up liking it so much that we stayed almost a month through Christmas and New Years. I celebrated my birthday there and we had a great time. The Barbieri has the cheapest prices in the city, but you wouldn't know it from the wonderful customer service. The rooms are tight, but I challange you to find a hostel room in Madrid that isn't. We met new wonderful people every day. This Hostel seems to attract nice people. The atmosphere is like a family. The beds are exactly 6' long. The showers are hot. The breakfast is free.
Students Hostel Luis Velez in Madrid … Very nice hostel. I stayed there in summer 2004. It seems like an hotel, rather than a hostel! Our room had an en suite bathroom, but also the common bathrooms were very clean. The hostel is really convenient and only a five-minute walk to Plaza Mayor.
United World International Hostel in Madrid … I came with ten friends and we had a blast. The staff were extremely friendly, as were all the other people staying there. We had free drinks the first night! The location was great; we walked everywhere. I would recommend this hostel to anyone.
Barbieri International Hostel in Madrid … I really loved my time at Barbieri. Every member of the staff was lovely, and the hostel was in a great location--only 15 minutes walk in each direction to some of the major Madrid sites. Also, I found it to be totally clean and accommodating. The rooms have a little balcony. I will say that the noise on the streets was a bit annoying at times; the hostel is close to one of the major pub areas. That wasn't bad enough to dampen the spirit of Barbieri, however.
Los Amigos Opera Backpackers Hostel in Madrid … I made awesome friends, and the staff were all really really nice. They were generous when I had some trouble catching my train! Right next to the metro.
Cat's Hostel in Madrid … This place gets the best ratings for a reason. It's awesome. The only things that were bad were the showers, which were equally the worst in Spain. They were cold AND had no water pressure. But the place still gets five stars; it is really the best hostel I have ever stayed in. GO THERE.
Students Hostel Luis Velez in Madrid … My sister and I stayed at the Hostel Luis Velez for about a week in early june of 2007. We stayed in a double room on the second floor.The hostel was a bit hard to find but that was our only problem. It was really cool that they had an elevator it was pretty old but fully functional for the tired traveler. The rooms were really nice and spacious. The cleaning staff came by every day so that was wonderful. The bathrooms were always clean, there were separate mens and womens bathrooms. For a small fee they also offer their laundry machines in case you have to use them. You also get keys, not only for your room but for the outside door and the door to your floor. I thought this was nice so you could come and go and I felt a bit safer. There was also free internet access in the reception of both our floor and the main reception. It was also pretty close by to two metro stations so that was great.The staff was really helpful and really nice. They all spoke english although it did help…
RC Miguel Angel in Madrid … What a hostel. It's so wonderful. Doubtless the best I've stayed in anywhere. Although the owners do not speak English, they are terribly friendly and warm. And the whole place is spotless. I couldn't fault a thing. Yes, the beds squeak, but it's hardly noticable. The most important thing is that the rooms are heated, quiet and the matress comfortable. It's very quiet, but in the most central part of Madrid. I recommend you stay here :)
Cat's Hostel in Madrid … This is the best hostel ever, no joke. I met so many mates. It was comfy, and had a cool bar. I got free paella one night. The beds are comfy. They say they have Internet but I think it's in the works. Breakfast was a croissant and orange juice and coffee, and you can have as much as you want. Do not stay anywhere else. It's clean, has lockers and the keys are all technologically advanced.
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