My wife and I are staying with a couple in Tenerife for a week but are planning to fly into Madrid from east coast USA. We will be there three days and nights in mid October 2023.
Looking for recommendations on an area to stay, lodging, and any other must do for first timers. We will also look at recommended itineraries listed by Rick and others. I suspect distance from airport is relevant to some degree.
We stayed at Hotel Europa. Very central. We took a taxi from the airport, and it dropped us off nearby.
That amount of time will have you editing out options from the “to see/do” lists, rather than looking for ways to fill your time.
People on the forum love the Europa hotel. I’ve never stayed or even been inside, but right on Sol is not an appealing location to me. I’d rather be a touch east, in/around the Plaza de Santa Ana. Public transport to/from the airport is easy, but will require a change or two on the metro or commuter rail (specific route would depend on accommodation location and airline/terminal. Taxis are €30 flat to or from the airport.
The "Menu del Dia" experience is a must in Madrid.
Old Town Madrid is a relatively small easy to walk area in comparison to the size of one Europes largest cities.
We always stay in the Latina district, just south of Plaza Mayor and enjoy a quieter neighborhood to relax and enjoy local bars, tapas and restaurants. Madrid = World Class Museums so research your preferences. Retireo Park is akin to NYC Central Park and a wonderful place to wander and enjoy a picnic.
Regardless of location we choose, it seems like public transportation is readily available and pretty easy to use for us to get around and also return to airport?
Darerohr-
Transit to/from the airport is pretty easy—the worst case is a two-change subway ride.
As for getting around during your visit, there's really little need for public transit. The city center is fairly compact, and walking around is an integral part of experiencing Madrid.
Day trip to Toledo is a must
Take into account that this time of the year Toledo is 10 times more beautiful at sunset/night that during the day.
