Where to Stay in Madrid for the First Time: A Complete Guide

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Madrid

Madrid feels like a series of small villages stitched together by sun, tapas, and never-ending conversation.

On different trips I slept in boisterous Sol, artsy Malasaña, and leafy Retiro, learning how a simple change of street address flips your whole experience.

This guide gives you the lowdown on each barrio so you can pick the one that fits your budget, sleep style, and social goals the very first time.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Madrid

Best for Hostel Newbies

Onefam Sungate9.7

from $19.63 | More Details

Best for Female Solo Traveler

The Hat9.3

from $20.25 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

Onefam Madrid9.6

from $17.89 | More Details

This is not an ad. We help you find the perfect hostel and compare prices from Hostelworld and Booking. You can save up to 23.7%

Top Neighborhoods to Stay in Madrid

Centro / Sol

Ground zero for landmarks, street performers, and 24-hour churro spots. All metro lines cross here, and hostels tuck into side alleys off pedestrian streets.

• Pros: walk to Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía cinemas, and free walking-tour meetups.
• Cons: dorms cost more, constant noise, pickpockets near the bear statue.
• Best for: first-timers who want landmarks outside the door and don’t mind late crowds.

Malasaña

Thrift shops, punk murals, and cafés that morph into DJ bars after dark. By day you’ll see students typing on laptops; by night the same spots blast indie music.

• Pros: cheap tapas, craft beer, rooftop hostels with sunset decks.
• Cons: weekend street noise, limited supermarkets—use corner tiendas.
• Best for: night owls, vinyl collectors, and budget coffee addicts.

Chueca

The LGBTQ+ center—rainbow flags, stylish brunch, and clubs that run till dawn. Streets feel safe and well lit even at 3 a.m.

• Pros: inclusive vibe, easy friendships, boutique shopping on Calle Hortaleza.
• Cons: hostels sell out during Pride; early booking essential.
• Best for: social solo travelers, party seekers, and fashion lovers.

Lavapiés

Indian groceries, Senegalese cafés, and contemporary art squats sit side by side. Prices stay the lowest inside the central ring.

• Pros: dorm beds from €15, global food under €10, frequent street festivals.
• Cons: steep hills, cobblestones—pack light wheels or a comfy backpack.
• Best for: thrift hunters, vegans, and anyone stretching euros.

La Latina

Medieval lanes lead to packed taverns serving Madrid’s best tortilla. El Rastro flea market explodes here every Sunday, turning streets into treasure hunts.

• Pros: legendary tapas crawl, photogenic architecture, quick walk to Sol.
• Cons: limited metro lines; expect uphill walks home.
• Best for: weekend treasure hunters and serious foodies.

Retiro

Wide boulevards, embassy buildings, and Madrid’s giant central park. Mornings start with joggers circling the lake and vendors selling fresh orange juice.

• Pros: calm nights, close to Prado, Reina Sofía, and leafy picnic spots.
• Cons: pricier cafés, fewer late-night bars.
• Best for: museum buffs, runners, and early sleepers.

Salamanca

Designer stores and polished sidewalks make this the upscale choice. Hostels here feel more like boutique hotels, but bargains pop up off season.

• Pros: safe streets, gourmet mercados, quick bus to the airport.
• Cons: higher dorm rates, nightlife quiets early.
• Best for: digital nomads needing calm workspaces and reliable Wi-Fi.

Chamberí

Traditional taverns share corners with trendy wine bars. An un-touristy vibe despite being two metro stops from Sol.

• Pros: authentic tapas, locals-only markets, affordable dorms in converted mansions.
• Cons: fewer English menus—bring basic Spanish or Google Translate.
• Best for: slow travelers craving neighborhood life oversights.

Moncloa / Argüelles

Student central thanks to two universities. Cheap menus del día, late buses, and parks for reading under pines.

• Pros: budget eateries, direct night buses from city center, viewpoints at Templo de Debod.
• Cons: emptier during summer break, some streets steep.
• Best for: students, hikers heading to Casa de Campo, and budget long-stays.

Top 10 Tips for Your First Time in Madrid

• Buy a 10-trip Metrobús card; it’s cheaper than singles and shareable with friends.
• Eat lunch menus between 13:00-15:30—three courses plus drink for under €12.
• Most big museums go free evenings; the Prado is free 18:00-20:00—arrive 30 minutes early.
• Carry tissues; bathroom paper disappears fast in busy bars.
• Coins help: metro toilets, luggage lockers, and street performers appreciate change.
• The EMT Madrid app shows live bus times and night routes—essential after metro hours.
• Bottled water is cheap but fountains in Retiro and Plaza de España are potable—refill to save plastic.
• Keep bags zipped on Gran Vía escalators and during street shows in Sol.
• Wear shoes with grip; polished tiles get slick after rain or spilled sangría.
• Learn “Me pones una caña, por favor” to order a small draft beer like a local.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Madrid

1. Los Amigos Hostel - best for Quiet Rest, Solo Traveller
2. Barbieri International
3. Albergue Juvenil San Fermin
4. Equity Point Metropol
5. Hostal Miralva - best for Older travelers (+50), Quiet Rest

Los Amigos Hostel

8.5

Centro

"…And in a good location, only 5 minutes from the Puedo del Sol central square. It was great: the more

Barbieri International

8.2

"…There is also a full kitchen, and the rooms and bathrooms are good. One negative point, after more

Albergue Juvenil San Fermin

8.6

"…It was good in terms you meet different people but you do not speak there language you wont be more

Equity Point Metropol

8.5

"…The internet only worked about sixty percent of the time we were there. Most people stay to more

Hostal Miralva

8.7

"…The windows are big so you will not be too hot inside. Atmosphere: There isn't a party more

from

$32.15

Hostels in Madrid Are the Best Option — Here’s Why

Madrid’s hostel scene was built for people traveling alone. Dorm prices hover between €18-€30, and almost every property offers daily walking tours, tapas crawls, or flamenco nights. Facilities usually include pod beds with curtains, free Wi-Fi strong enough for streaming, bag lockers that fit carry-on backpacks, and rooftop terraces for sunset hangouts.

• Social perks: communal paella cooking classes, language-exchange evenings, movie nights under the stars.
• Safety: key-card access, 24-hour reception, women-only dorm options, CCTV in common areas.
• Extras: free earplugs at reception, discounted flamenco tickets, and printable boarding passes.
• Booking hacks: Sunday-Wednesday stays are cheaper; avoid major football match weekends unless you love crowds.
• Location tip: If nightlife is your goal, pick Malasaña or Chueca hostels; for mornings in museums, choose Retiro or Sol.

6 Hidden Gemz in Madrid (by Hostelgeeks)

How it works

Final Recommendations

Match your personality to the barrio: Malasaña or Chueca for parties and street art, Lavapiés for budget world food, La Latina for tapas Sundays, Retiro for green mornings, or Centro if you want everything at once.

Book a social hostel early, especially for summer or December holidays.

Skip taxis—night buses called buhos fan out from Cibeles Square and run until dawn. Use lunch menus for the biggest meal, then graze on tapas at night to stretch euros. Pack a scarf for church visits, a reusable bottle for fountain refills, and shoes that survive cobblestones.

Madrid rewards wandering: duck into any bar with napkins on the floor (good sign), order a caña, and a free tapa often appears unasked. Spend afternoons losing track of time in Retiro’s Crystal Palace, then join new hostel friends for rooftop sunset selfies.

Leave room in your bag, because chances are high you’ll pack jamón vacuum packs, vintage jackets, or second-hand Spanish novels as souvenirs.

Choose well, walk slow, eat late, and Madrid’s barrios will feel like home by the second night. Hasta luego and happy hostel hunting!

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About the author: Matt Kiefer

Hey, I’m Matt, the founder behind Hostelgeeks.com. My team and I are collecting the absolute best hostels in the world for you. We share the coolest hostels so you can focus on your travels, rather than spending your time trying to pick a good hostel.

Personally, I’ve bunked in over 600 hostels and stamped my passport in more than 70 countries. My heart beats for Vietnam, Spain, and France, and so many more destinations. I’m a Foosball champ but a beer pong amateur.

Last but not least: Hostelgeeks is a proud ambassador of Hostelz.com.