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.
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'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.
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…
I liked Madrid -- a great place to visit. I was there over Christmas of '06 -- flew from Faro-Madrid direct.
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.
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.
Hostal Metropol in Madrid … Great hostel. We stayed here for three nights and four days in early June. We had a three-bed private room, which was nice. It's in the middle of everything, 2 minutes walking distance from SOL. Beware, I wouldn't bring kids to this area "red light district" 24/7. There are prostitutes everywhere all day and night long. But after a while you learn to ignore them.
The staff are super helpful, especially Alex who showed us the town. It's noisy at night, so a few sangrias help the sleep. I would definitely stay here again. :)
Cat's Hostel in Madrid … Cat's hostel was great; clean, secure, in a great location, with a friendly staff and social atmosphere. The rooms with ten beds are a bit small, though. Ask for a courtyard room!
Cat's Hostel in Madrid … This is just about the best hostel I stayed in. It has great rooms and beds. It's very secure, clean and there is a great common area (courtyard) and bar. I had a few huge nights there in the bar with heaps of nice people. And it is within walking distance of everything, including all the best nightlife!
Barbieri International Hostel in Madrid … It's been almost three years since I stayed in this hostel. It was a Sint Lukas, Brussels Belgium, school trip. But I still think back about it how nice it was and how friendly the people were. At the time I was there they were painting the hallway, but never was there any problem entering the building, etc. I remember the rooms and the little kitchen. Even the restaurant a few streets away, Kola Bora, I never will forget. This hostel is a paradise. The day I come back to Madrid, Hoste Calle Barbieri will be where I stay.
Los Amigos Opera Backpackers Hostel in Madrid … I have already come back home after a week at Los Amigos hostel. It's fantastic! The staff is always nice and kind to you. You have the chance to meet lots of people either in the common room or during the dinner. To me breakfast was perfect (I'm not used to ham eggs and bla bla)... you pay just 15 euros, breakfast included... what more do you want?! :-) :-) besos a todos.
Los Amigos Opera Backpackers Hostel in Madrid … This was by far the best hostel that I stayed at in Europe. The breakfast is small, bread and coffee or hot chocolate, but the staff are helpful and friendly and it was cleaner than any other hostel that I stayed in. There is no curfew and the lights out at 11 is no big deal because there are still lights in the room that you can use. Also, if you bring a padlock you can lock all your stuff in the locker provided in your room. I recommend this hostel to anyone staying in Madrid!!!
Students Hostel Luis Velez in Madrid … This hostel was WONDERFUL. I loved the hard wood floors, and how clean the room and bathrooms were. They even supplied clean towels with soap and shampoo for us. It was a little hard to find, but the picture on this website help a little bit. I loved it, and plan on staying there again soon.
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.
Hostal Metropol in Madrid … Stay here. This place has en suite rooms, and a great rolling program of foods for breakfast (and take some of those chocolate biscuits for a snack later on). It's in a good location, too, right opposite the Metro and a stroll from buzzing central sites. It has a good mix of young people, too. Oh, and we happened to get a brilliant balcony for drinking wine and watching the police and prostitutes below. There's no need to go any further.
Cat's Hostel in Madrid … This was the first hostel we stayed at and also the best! Many we spoke to said "you shouldn't have stayed here first, because it's only downhill from here."
It was clean, cheap, friendly staff, safe and importantly in a great location. Right in the centre of madrid, minutes from Sol and the metro. Each bed has its own locker and you get keys to wear around your wrist to open the door and your locker.
What else was good was the actual quality of the hostel. We went to a few which were cramped and crowded, but this one had numerous chill out areas. The main area which was more for chilling, smoke and alcohol free. Then there was the bar area for getting messy and a downstairs area which was just an extended getting messy area, though during the day and chill out area as well with free internet access which was convenient.
There were a few little problems like the showers timing out every 30 seconds and the breakfast being simple, but it's a bit stupid to be idealistic…
La Posada de Huertas Hostel in Madrid … This hostel is simply the greatest place on earth. You can't help but make friends and the staff are the most helpful and knowledgeable staff of any hostel. Also make sure you visit Cher's Karaoke bar just down the street.
Cat's Hostel in Madrid … This is a truly excellent hostel. I can only really say a few negative things about it, so I'll get those out and be done with it, as they're the minority of the experience:
-Showers with sporadic pressure and temperature
-Room was overly warm and sometimes has a strange mildew smell to it
-Has a bar that plays music and can attract a big crowd; could be annoying if you plan to sleep before 1 or 2 a.m.
Other than that, it was fantastic in every possible way. It has a good location, for starters. The staff is comprised primarily of young, enthusiastic and helpful young people who regularly bring their drums out to play music and hang out with each other and residents alike (I jammed with several of them on my guitar), and are quite nice people. This place really gets going on weekends; it's very sociable! Even though there is this liveliness, there is still a lot of consideration for the guests. Unless you are in the bar (a separate walled-off compound from the courtyard area…
Hostelz.com is the only hostel guide with complete information and reviews on all youth hostels and backpackers worldwide.
