Couple of questions about Madrid
 

I've been reading threads, and found a link to Maribel's guides - thank you whoever posted that.

When we travel, we invariably walk and walk, and use public transportation in cities - preferably subway. I will be in Madrid with my 21-year old daughter, who will be a little limited in the walking department because she is just coming off of a broken ankle. We will be in Madrid 3-4 days on our way between Cairo and London.

For starters, three questions:

1. What area of the city would you recommend we stay in (she's never been and I haven't been since the early 70s)?

2. Do you have any hotel recommendations, preferably not more than $200USD per night?

3. Is the Madrid metro safe for two women travelers?

Thanks - I'm sure I'll be back with more questions later.

I would recommend you stay in downtown Madrid, right in the central museum area, in the vicinity of the Prado. Most hotel booking websites identify this zone quite easily.

You'll be glad to know that General Franco was extremely fond of big broad boulevards, and he remade the town to look that way. So your daughter will not find it the sidewalks dangerous.

Madrid's metro is safe, but my recollection is that there are many stairs. But Madrid's taxis are not expensive. Think about using them.

If you do end up on the Metro -- or wherever you go in Madrid -- by aware that tourists are targets for both pickpockets and scamsters. You are well advised not to carry large sums, leave your passport in your hotel safe, and don't interact with strangers who approach you on the Metro or around the big tourists attractions (museums, etc.)

i suggest you get a bus/metro pass (10 rides) and you both can use the same one. just put it into machine validation twice.

i prefer the buses.. they are fairly easy to figure out.

and as mentioned, taxis are not too expensive.

the museum triangle area is quite popular.
i also like the salamanca area.

there are lots of hotel suggestions in previous posts if you do a search here. i have only stayed for work and flights.. so not from a tourist's point of view.

3-Yes, your only concerns must be pickpokets, just watch your belongings.



"You'll be glad to know that General Franco was extremely fond of big broad boulevards, and he remade the town to look that way"
the center of Madrid was already built in the times of Franco... and many of the things he did had to be remoleded and demolished later.


"Madrid's metro is safe, but my recollection is that there are many stairs. " in the oldest stations there are stairs but aren't deep. There are many escalators.
Look a map of the metro, the new lines and renewed stations have elevators which are convenient for people with reduced mobility.
Line 3, for example, is centrical and was renewed last year, and made all stations more accesible with elevators, from the level of the street to any platform.

"be aware that tourists are targets for both pickpockets and scamsters"
i agree, be aware but don't get paranoic with that.
The same applies in Cairo, and London and any big city where you look like a tourist.


"i prefer the buses.. they are fairly easy to figure out."
buses lets you know the city while moving from one place to other, but i prefer metro. I don't find buses too easy to move around the city.

re buses:

since most tourists move around la castellana (very long and aeveral buses go along that path from el prado/museum triangle down to hard rock cafe,biblioteca nacional for example..

and also to plaza mayor area/gran via/ royal palace.. it is fairly simple to figure those out if you know the names of nearby plazas. at least it can save you several blocks walk when feet are burning!!

if you say a destination to a conductor he will be able to tell you which number is best for you.

the metro is faster especially for long distances, but losing the fear of taking buses can be quite rewarding on a short jaunt.

just remember both of you can use metro/bus pass at same time.

the hop-on bus is also great if you want to simplify things. and very pleasant at night.. take the full tour and enjoy all the lighting.

I usually go to Madrid on business and stay in the Castellana area, either in the Abba hotel or in the other one which is across the street which I cant remember right now). I think that they are within your budget but I use corporate rates, you might want to check them out anyway. I think the area is very convenient for metro and train connections.

I have been solo in Madrid multiple times. I have always taken the metro without trouble.

Just remember that Madrid, like London or New York, is a big city with its inherent risks and people should behave accordingly by being aware of their sorroundings and protective of their possesions.

I love Madrid, have fun!

well, it's the usual go-round about crime in Spanish cities. Having traveled to all the big cities mentioned and more, I say Madrid is not as bad as Barcelona, but certainly worse than the other European capitals like London, Amsterdam, Berlin and Paris. (Rome may be as bad). Tourists have become such a protected class in Egypt after violent assaults on them, it's hard to judge Cairo. It's a police state.

Whoever is ultimately responsible for the broad, wide, concrete sidewalks of Madrid, which comfortably accommodate crowds, they are great for people who might have a foot problem (in contrast to Paris or Rome).

I recall hauling a suitcase up more stairs than I cared to using the metro in the center of Madrid.

Madrid is a great destination.

Thanks everyone. I think we'll choose a hotel near the Prado/El Retiro, although it sounds like any hotel near a metro stop ought to serve well. We were considering Quo Puerto del Sol -- anyone ever heard of it/seen it/stayed there?

BTW, we're not worried about "tourist" crime -- we know how to handle that and have both been to all the big cities mentioned other than Cairo. We live in San Francisco, and go to NY often. So it really was just a specific question about the metro, which we tend to use in EVERY major city.

Next question -- where is/are the shopping districts (the equivalents of Fifth Avenue, and New York's Soho)?

Forgot to add that we SAW General Franco in a motorcade on one of those broad boulevards in Madrid in the summer of 1972!

your best shopping is calle serrano.. this is the salamanca area i was talking about.

a nice restaurant near there on diego de leon, up from the usa embassy is called "séptimo".

it is a long street and you will find most every high end boutique on it or one of the side streets.

I prefer staying in the Royal Palace/Opera area to the area near the Prado. There are very nice cafes across from the Royal Palace and it is a fun lively area at night. I found the area near the Prado a bit deserted at night and didn't think there were as many restaurants or shops nearby.

Hi

The Quo is near Puerto del Sol. It's a couple of doors down from a lovely plaza. I didn't go inside the hotel but judging by the website it has a modern elevation. The location is excellent.

The Prado area is very close to Plaza Santa Ana , which is anything but deserted at night.

I really like that area. My favorite hotel there is the Derby Villa Real.

The Derby looks very nice - it's on my list of possibilities.

Another question -- we will be arriving close to midnight (getting to Madrid from Cairo is no easy task!). Is there any kind of fixed rate transport directly to the hotel at that hour? I don't think we'll want to deal with the metro so late, and I'd rather not have to deal with taxi drivers who might be in the mood to try to rip us off! Any other choices?

There appear to be at least a few hotels right near the Plaza Santa Ana -- would those (Mardrid Reina Victoria, Persal, Catalonia Moratin, Vincci Soho Madrid) be a better choice, since we could walk right out the door (and back) for later dinners (we will eat "local" to our hotel -- not foodies who will travel all over the city for dinner)? How far, in actual blocks, is, e.g., the Villa Real from Plaza Santa Ana?

Take a look at the Mate chain, the Mate Alicia is on Plaza Santa Ana.

"getting to Madrid from Cairo is no easy task!"

but much easier than just crossing any street at Cairo... you'll see...

metro works until 1.30am.... and is not dangerous even at night.

Some hotels offer pick up at airport, some other people talk about aerocity service with fixed prices...

Taxis, about 20 to 30 euros to get to the center.

dmlove,

The Villa Real is approx 3, not too long, blocks walking on Calle del Prado. Less than 5 minutes.

That is so helpful, thank you. It's always hard to tell on a map. 3 blocks is nothing!

I'm going to make another post regarding "what to do with 3 full days in Madrid".

Thanks again.