The best attractions to visit by car in Madrid

Madrid is such a city full of life and culture that it is difficult to do it justice in a few paragraphs. On the artistic level, the city stands out from all the countries of Europe, with the best art museums on the continent where Renaissance masterpieces and major 20th century works await to captivate you.

The five most visited attractions in Madrid

Madrid is a city that requires a lot of energy. Although I recommend at least four days to really get to know the city, don’t let time constraints and a long list of things to do in Madrid scare you. Rent a car in Madrid to visit all the must-see places and enjoy your time to explore and eat in the heart of Spain.

Madrid is well known for its great art museums, but there are many lesser-known Madrid attractions and local experiences that are well worth your time. Among the best attractions in this city:

Museo del Prado

The Prado Museum is one of Madrid’s most popular tourist attractions. The 18th century structure designed by the architect Juan de Villanueva houses one of the most beautiful art collections in the world. A 2007 extension made the famous museum easier to navigate. With more than 7,000 works of art representing culture and history from the 12th to the early 19th century, it is impossible to see everything in one visit. Visitors may want to focus on the museum’s collection of Spanish artists, including Goya, El Greco, da Ribera and Velázquez, which is undoubtedly the best collection of Spanish paintings in the world.

Palacio Real

Residence of the monarchy from Carlos III to Alfonso XIII, this building now serves as a museum where you can admire the splendor and luxury of the Spanish royal elite. The architecture was inspired by sketches made by Bernini to build the Louvre in Paris and, although Filippo Juvarra had begun to work on the plans, it was his disciple Juan Bautista Sachetti who would eventually complete the work. The decor of the 3,000 rooms inside has been modified to meet the specific tastes of each monarch. The main attractions include the main staircase of Sabatini, the throne room, the royal chapel and the royal apothecary.

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

Whether you are a fan of the club or not, the truth remains that Real Madrid is the most successful football team in Europe, with a record 12 European Cups to its credit. All football fans should therefore consider a pilgrimage to their huge 85,000-seat stadium, where history has been made many times over the seasons. A visit will give you a panoramic view of the stadium, enter the cloakroom, visit the canoes and discover all kinds of interesting intrigues, including the trophy collection, the pressroom and the presidential gallery.

Puerta del Sol

Located in the center of Madrid, Puerta del Sol is a crossroads where thousands of people gather every year for the New Year. Recent improvements to the square have limited traffic and transformed it into a place where visitors can walk and admire the architectural wonders. At the center of these is the clock that rings in the New Year at Casa de Correos, the seat of the city’s government.

Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor, the most famous of Madrid’s many majestic squares, dates back to 1619. It was located outside the city limits and was used to organize bullfights. During the Spanish Inquisition, many accused heretics died there. The three sides of the rectangular paved square are bordered by a long row of three-storey apartments completed at the end of the 18th century. The structures are decorated with frescos, decorated with balconies framed by wrought iron balustrades and surmounted by elegant slate arrows. A statue of Philip III on horseback stands in the middle of the square. Opposite the square is the Casa de la Panadería, which houses a tourist information center.

Why rent a car in Madrid

Car hire Madrid offers you the best of the Spanish capital, from its remarkable art galleries and superb civic squares to its delicious local restaurants and historic buildings. The beauty crosses the city and is also found in the wider possibilities of the landscape, with many destinations, attractions and things to see and do easily accessible by car. And for that, we recommend you to visit the website https://www.autospain.co.uk/city-madrid/ which offers cheap car rental Madrid, as well as price comparison on rental cars from several agencies in this city and at the main aiport: https://www.autospain.co.uk/en-adolfo-suarez-madrid-barajas-airport/. You will find several types of rental cars to meet your needs.

Driving in Madrid

Madrid is the center of the national road system and the six main roads from the city are marked with roads A-1 to A-6. Spanish roads, especially near Madrid, are well maintained and, in case of construction or maintenance, there is always a marked detour. While visiting the city, make sure to park in a designated area or there are many garages where you can leave your rental car. When parking on the street, zone rules are generally more flexible at weekends, but prices may vary depending on where you park in the city.