Will be traveling to Madrid and Barcelona in February 2024. What are the best areas to stay for first time visitors? Like to be near metro. Will not have a car. Will be looking at Airbnb to stay in. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you for any suggestions.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15591 posts
I've only stayed at hotels. In Madrid I liked the Europa enough to return on my second visit. It's right off the central plaza (Sol) and walking distance (downhill) to the Prado and the Thiessen Museums. Even though it's central, it was pretty quiet.
In Barcelona, I like to stay just south of Plaza Catalonia and a bit away from Las Ramblas. In December I found a nice reasonably priced hotel - HCC Montblanc on Laietana, a 5-minute walk from the airport bus stop. The room looked great and the staff were extremely helpful. Unfortunately I didn't actually stay there. After I unpacked, I went out to El Corte Ingles to shop, tripped, fell and fractured my thigh bone. The location is excellent - walking distance to many sights and close to metro stations
Posted by
Walnut Creek, CA
557 posts
In Barcelona, stay near the Plaça Catalunya, but NOT on the Las Ramblas. Our RS tour stayed at the Hotel Catalonia Portal de 'Angel just south of the place. We have also like the Hotel Jazz. We have also stayed at the Hotel Royal Passeig de Gracia.
The benefit of staying near the Plaça Catalunya is that you can take the aeropuerto bus from the airport for €5.90 one way. The bus had luggage racks and it only has 2 or 3 stops and is quite safe.
In Madrid, stay near the Puerta del sol. I have stayed at the Hotel Europa and RS stays at the Hotel Moderno. For a splurge, we have stayed at the Hotel urban. All within walking distance of the museum's and main tourist sites and close to a metro stop.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1614 posts
The Eixample neighborhood in Barcelona is a great and convenient place to stay.
We stayed at the hotel gran via many years ago and enjoyed our stay there. It was so convenient to so many sites.
In Madrid we stayed at Hotel Madrid Mercure which is about a 5 to 10 minute walk from the Prado and Reina Sofia Museums.
Posted by
Denver, CO USA
416 posts
AirBnB in Eixample is where we stayed for 6 nights.
Perfect.
On the Metro line.
Near Mercat San Antoni.
Posted by
NC
249 posts
Highly recommend Hotel Praktik Rambla in Eixample: close to everything, gracious helpful staff, lovely room. We loved it!