Madrid - Get Around

From Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun), Madrid radiates out in every direction. Many prime attractions can be reached on foot, though Madrid's highly efficient underground metro system is great for taking the weight off tired legs.

From Puerta del Sol, the centre of Madrid if not of Spain itself, within a few minutes stroll you can traverse the key districts, each so different from the next. Huertas gives way to multi-ethnic Lavapíes in the south. Cross the Gran Vía to cheeky Chueca in the northeast and the charmingly down-at-heel Malasaña. The oldest quarters of Madrid are sandwiched between the art-packed Paseo del Prado on the east, and Palacio Real to the west, while the exclusive districts of Salamanca and Chamberi can be found to the north on either side of Madrid's north-south artery, the Paseo de la Castellana.

Most of Madrid's prime attractions are conveniently located in or near to the city centre. Walking is often the best option and can reveal surprises at every turn.

The Consorcio Transportes de Madrid metro system is cheap, efficient and runs daily from 6am-1.30am. Each of the 12 metro lines has a colour and number. A single ticket can be used for any journey with the system.

You can pick up one of the ubiquitous official taxis, which carry a diagonal red stripe and a green light on the roof, at ranks or on the street. Expect to pay a small surcharge for each item of luggage, or for trips from the airport, bus and train stations. Rounding up the fare the nearest Euro is pretty much standard, providing the service is to your approval.

Madrid's extensive bus service can be slightly confusing for visitors, compared to the easier to navigate metro system. The bus service is supplemented by night buses or búhos which run from Plaza de Cibeles to the suburbs from midnight to around 6am.

These regional trains provide a fast link between the Chamartín and Atocha train stations and nearby cities, such as Alcalá de Henares and Aranjuez.

Single tickets and carnets of ten tickets are valid for the metro and city buses. Monthly passes for metro, bus and train are also available. Rush hour is 7am-9am and 7pm-9pm Monday to Friday.

Wander the peaceful streets around Plaza de la Villa, once the market square of Moorish Madrid, and chart the development of Spanish architecture from the Moors through medieval to the imperial majesty of the Bourbons and Habsburgs. Contrast with Franco's contribution to Madrid architecture with the Torre de Madrid and Edificio de España skyscrapers at Plaza de España.

Madrid Transport System website