Suggestions for Barcelona (area) and Madrid Area.

The Eixample is quite large. If you give us the addresses you are considering, we can provide better advice.

In Madrid I, personally, would like to be within a 10-minute (1/2-mile) walk of the Plaza Mayor, if possible. That puts you near La Boqueria [not La Boqueria, San Miguel] Market and a lot of restaurants. However, there are many interesting neighborhoods in Madrid. Keep in mind that you are probably going to be going in and out of Atocha Station 4 times, just for your two day-trips. And you may be arriving and departing there as well (there are both buses and trains to the airport from Atocha). A place with good transportation links to Atocha (if not actually fairly close to it) will save you quite a bit of time.

Acraven, La Boqueria market is in Barcelona, not Madrid. There are lots of nice little hotels around the Puerta del Sol, too, just a couple of blocks from Plaza Mayor. But I agree that staying closer to Atocha would be a good idea.

So what is the area near atocha called. I would say it would be smart thinking to say close to train b/c like I say 2 day trips then when we leave we will be heading to Seville and then picking up a car.

Thanks, Nancy. I meant San Miguel Market. It's the second time I have confused those two names!

Cheryl, I'm not sure of the name of the neighborhood; some booking websites might actually call it "Atocha". Google Maps uses that label for an area south of the station, but you'd want to be on the other side, moving in the direction of the historic core. Perhaps it would be good to be on the southern edge of the area called "Cortes" on the map to which I've linked, or between it and Atocha.

I found the southern part of Calle de Atocha (down near the station) not terribly attractive; it has a lot of low-end shops and inexpensive restaurants. It's not a bad neighborhood, but I think it's fair to say that some travelers would not be thrilled with it. However, there are quite a few 4-star hotels nearby, probably because of proximity to the Prado and Reina Sofia museums.

In Barcelona, close to Girona metro stop.
In Madrid, close to Anton Martin metro stop.

Wondering about the location of apartment. Map is showing it in Barcelona on Carrier de Jovellanos between Carrer del Pelai & Carrier del Tallers. Would this be a pedestrian only area or are autos allowed.
As always thank you

Jovellanos has limited back street traffic.
Tallers is a pedestrian shopping street with lots of shoe shops from memory.
Pellai is busy and noisy.
Overall, a good location if you want to be close to the 'action'.

I've stayed twice at Europa Hotel in Madrid, right off the Plaza del Sol, so you have the metro and the Cercanias (suburban) trains just a couples minutes away, easy to get to various parts of the city, Atocha station and the airport. It's just a few minutes walk from the San Miguel market - great place to graze whenever you need some tapas y vino. It's also walking distance to the Prado and the Thyssen museums.

So Madrid is a go. Location seems great.

Now Barcelona. I am strongly considering an apartment with Habitat Apartments. It is located at the corner of Rambla de Catalunya & Diputacion. The area sounds great and on google maps it looks great. Hopefully you agree. Thanks for the help.

I agree Cheryl... go for it :)

I agree Cheryl... go for it :)