Madrid, fun and lively at all times, is famous for being an open city with a lot of people from all over the world.
In addition to its famous museums, lively streets dotted with all kinds of shops, restaurants with world cuisine or unrivaled nightlife, Madrid will surprise you with its charming, peaceful historical sites, traditional and family centennial bars where friends meet for a drink, neighborhoods of all kinds and cultural centers that offer an alternative form of tourism. Madrid has a personality that is hard to match.
Anyone looking for culture will find some of the most important museums in the world, such as Prado Museum, Reina Sofia or Thyssen. But people shouldn't forget small options full of charm, like Sorolla Museum or cultural centers like Matadero or Conde Duque, which constantly offer innovative exhibitions, concerts, guided tours, etc. Walking in Madrid means visiting iconic places such as the stunning Royal Palace, The 400-year-old Plaza Mayor, the bustling Puerta del Sol, the famous Gran Via full of shops, or the four tallest towers in Spain . Madrid also means relaxing in vast green spaces like the Retiro Park (which, along with the Paseo del Prado boulevard, has been added to the World Heritage List UNESCO), and other lesser known but no less charming parks such as El Capricho.
Sights of Madrid
The capital of Spain, Madrid, has always been characterized by a wide range of cultural activities for free time. The city gives the opportunity to take a walk with the family, enjoy art or taste delicious food, — all are just some examples. Straight fromBarajas Airport you can rent a car and go on an adventure.
Speaking of Madrid and its sights, it is impossible not to mention the various squares. The city is filled with various zones, which are visited daily by hundreds and thousands of tourists. Among the most popular are Puerta del Sol. It represents several kilometers of the road network in Spain, and is one of the most ancient parts of Madrid, built in the 15th century, at the same time as the foundation of the new capital in Toledo.
Like most of Madrid's large squares, Puerta del Sol is also adorned with spectacular and modern fountains and manicured hedges.
In addition to Puerta del Sol, the plaza de España, La Plaza Mayor ( located in the center of the city ). In Plaza de Santa Ana and Plaza de Oriente, but there are many other special squares that are definitely worth a visit.
Besides the various neighborhoods, there are many buildings and monuments that keep the true Personality Madrid. And the Royal Palace in Madrid — is certainly one of the most important and characteristic buildings of the city. It is the official residence of the royal family. On Christmas Eve 1734 it was destroyed by fire, unfortunately losing most of its monuments. Also important are the magnificent Cathedral dell'Almudena, the main church of the Catholic city, and the Church of San'tantonio degli alemanni, an example of Baroque architecture in the city.
Mountain villages
Torrelaguna, Patones, Lozoya Bay, Rascafría — these are some of the most popular cities in the Sierra Norte. Surrounded by nature, ready to delight with the rustic charm created by the small streets leading to the main square, buildings with typical architecture, beautiful views of mountains and forests, rich traditional cuisine that allows you to enjoy the region's most popular food.
North Sierra is part of the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park and the villages are between 65 and 100 km from Madrid. It is a good idea to visit at least two of them in one day, you can include weekend excursions along the trail through places such as the valleys of Aceite de oliva de Lozoya.
Madrid Beech Forest
Montejo Beech is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Beech Forests. It is especially beautiful in autumn, when it is decorated with shades of ocher, brown and orange, but walking along its paths and villages such as La Hiruela, Montejo de la Sierra-Horcajuelo de la Sierra, Pradena del Rincon i Puebla de la Sierra is exceptionally pleasant all round year. Please note that advance bookings are required to visit the beech forest.
Tourist routes in Madrid
There are many tourist routes in the city, such as natural roads, green routes (the ancient railways have been converted into cycling or walking), a network, paths.
The The Jets of the Manzanares and the Green Pond route is a comfortable, circular track that can be completed in less than five hours. Starts next to The Real Manzanares and runs mostly along the river. This area paves the way to the National Park Sierra de Guadarrama.
The water path starts in the municipality of Cercedilla in the Sierra de Guadarrama. This easy trail is about ten kilometers long (both ways) and is also suitable for everyone. Its biggest attraction is the view of the valley and Fuenfría Port.
Madrid's best restaurants
When it comes to food, Madrid has almost everything you could want. Whether you fancy a good, hearty, home-cooked meal, or the latest and greatest cuisine, you will find it all in the Spanish capital.
Pastry art in Madrid is unsurprising, because no one can leave without tasting one piece raspberry pie, from La Mallorquina (+34 915 21 12 01, Calle Mayor 2, 28013 Madrid Spain), the oldest in the city. Pastry Shop La Antigua del Pozo (+34 915 22 38 94, Calle Pozo 8, 28012 Madrid Spain), close to Puerta del Sol, offers great chocolate (white or dark).
But true luxury — is to have breakfast or a drink, in the Salamanca area, in the same hotel where the Beatles, Cary Grant or Rita Hayworth stayed. It's called Dry Martini Bar (+34 914 31 67 00, Calle Hermosilla 2 Plaza Colon, 28001 Madrid Spain), at the Gran Meliá Fénix Hotel. Dozens of Martini cocktails are served in an atmosphere of fun and celebration. Be careful, a drink will cost around 15 euros.
Azotea Circulo de Bellas Artes (Marqués de Casa Riera, 2., 28014 Madrid Spain) — this is a multicultural center founded in 1919, but its fame is due to also all'azotea — , which in Spanish means terrace — Tartan Roof. Here, in the kitchen, the best chef is practicing — Javier Muñoz-Calero and his team. What do they offer? Marinated tuna in vermouth with herb buns and cherry tomatoes (18 euros) or traditional paella (18 euros).
Any occasion is good to admire the scenery from the de The Principal Madrid hotels Restaurant Terrace (+34 915 21 87 43, Calle Marques de Valdeiglesias 1 Esq. Gran Via, 28004 Madrid), which is located on the seventh floor. In order to stay within budget, you can order two signature cocktails or try "Para picar", among which Jamón Ibérico and pan de cristal stand out, at a price of 28 euros to match a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne (14 euros).
Parking in Madrid
Parking in a big city theme — this is a theme that worries everyone. People who live in the city center suffer every day from the inconvenience of parking for a fee in Madrid. But even those who prefer to drive only on certain days face the same problem. Madrid and Barcelona are the most expensive cities to park.
Currently, in the center of Madrid, as well as in most major cities, there are two separate areas where you can leave your car, they are regulated by the SER. In these places, payment takes place from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 21:00, on Saturday from 9:00 to 15:00 and on Sunday for free.
It is worth paying attention to SER, that is, "blue zones" and "green zones" that provide for a time limit:
Blue zone; its use is mainly dedicated to foreigners who can pay the price at the parking meter or with the application on the phone. The maximum stop time in these lanes is 4 hours, after which you must move your vehicle to another area.
Green Zone; its use is intended, in particular, for residents, who must in any case pay an annual tax corresponding to the area of the city. Also, visitors can park in these areas, but you will have to pay for the time they stay, and after 2 hours, you need to move the vehicle.
Traveling in a rental car can lead to places which are very difficult to reach by public transport or excursions. This gives you the convenience of going your own way, on time, and can often be cheaper than public transport alternatives, especially if traveling as a couple or group. It is recommended to leave your rental car in a guarded parking lot, so you can keep it safe, avoid fines and do not waste time looking for parking on the street.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Hertz
Most popular car class
Compact
Average price
32 € / Day
Best price
23 € / Day
Average cost per week of rental in Madrid
January
€90
February
€87
March
€101
April
€148
May
€138
June
€190
July
€223
August
€166
September
€101
October
€103
November
€102
December
€199
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
The best month to rent a car in Madrid is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €25. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Madrid is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €25, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
During the summer months in Madrid there is a significant increase in demand for convertible rentals. This causes an increase in prices and the limited choice of such cars. A day of rental VW T-Roc will cost you €144.
Bookingautos offers a wide range of cars of any class. In Madrid you can rent a convertible, SUV, sedan, minivan, as well as a business class car. Our rental fleet consists of new cars manufactured in 2024 year.
When calculating the rental price for a car in Madrid, seasonal demand, the class of the car itself and the duration of the rental are taken into account. In winter, renting a car is the cheapest. In the summer, rent will cost more expensive. An additional discount for long-term rentals is provided by many car rental companies, which makes your trip even more profitable for the budget. For example, in the spring months, the compact Ford Fiestamodel can be rented for just €25 per day. Renting the same car for a week will cost less and will be only €15. The situation is similar with other models of the budget segment. Among them are Audi A4, Renault Megane Estate, BMW X1, which can be rented for as little as €39-€88 per day. Approximately for €76in Madrid you can rent a convertible car. Premium segment models are more expensive, the rental will cost from €144 per day. If we talk about exclusive models, then when ordering them, you should be prepared for an amount of 450€ or more for daily use.
In recent years in Madrid the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent Hyundai Ioniq in Madrid by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
List of required documents
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 tips for your car hire in Madrid
Download Google maps for offline access
Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.
Book in advance
Madrid is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.
It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.
Which car to choose for rent
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Audi A1 or Ford Fiesta. These models are the most popular with our customers in Madrid.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Renault Megane Estate will cost €44 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance advice
Rental companies in Madrid may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Fuel Policy
When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Rent without mileage limit
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Madrid, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
When renting a car in Madrid, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.
If we talk about the best companies in Madrid, then it is worth highlighting sixt with a rating 9.8 and budget, the average rating of which is 9.7 points.
Car pick-up procedure
Getting a rented car in Madrid is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
Our advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
Car rental reviews: Madrid
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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