Car Hire in Madrid, Spain
Madrid
Madrid, the capital since 1562 Spain is Europe’s fourth largest city – after London, Paris and Milan. It is located in the heart of the country, with the city and surrounding areas home to over three million Madrilènes.
Madrid remains Spain’s financial and political centre, home to the Cortes (Parliament), Senate and Royal Family. Madrid may not have all the stunning architecture and ancient history of other Spanish cities, but it what it lacks it makes up in its modern, cosmopolitan lifestyle.
The city, situated 13km (8 miles) from the airport, sits atop a plateau and is the highest capital in Europe, making its climate somewhat extreme. Summers are generally steaming hot and winters bitterly cold. Spring is definitely the best time to explore. The city is compact and easy to navigate on foot - most of the sights of interest are found in the downtown area between the Royal Palace and Parque del Retiro.
Attractions
Madrid is best known for its 'Golden Triangle' of art museums, Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornomisza. The celebrated 'Art Walk' (Paseo del Arte) links all three, and a pass can be bought which is valid for all three.
For those wanting to hire a car or test out public transport, the Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial lies just 50km (31 miles) northwest of Madrid, in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. The beautiful monastery, with its four spired towers, was built by Philip II, as a memorial to his father, Charles V, and merges monastery, church and palace. It contains Philip’s secret stash of works by El Greco and Hieronymus Bosch, as well as a library with about 50,000 volumes and a vaulted, painted ceiling.
For music lovers, the city is home to one of the most modern opera houses in Europe, the Teatro Real in Plaza de Oriente. Alternatively, the Teatro de la Zarzuela in Calle de Jovellanos is the major venue for zarzuela – Madrid’s own genre, loosely comparable to Viennese operetta, but incorporating the idealised castizo (authenticity) of working class Madrid. The zarzuela season runs from June to September.
Although controversial, Madrid's Las Ventas Bullring in Calle Acalá is worth a mention. It is considered to be the Mecca of bullfighting, with weekly corridas beginning at 7pm, increasing to daily events during the Feria de San Isidro (mid-May to mid-June) and Feria de Otoño in late September. Sports fanatics who like something a little less blood-thirsty can watch Real Madrid, or Atletico de Madrid, Spain’s most famous football teams.
Near Torrelodones, just outside the city, is Casino Gran Madrid in Autovía. It is the only officially recognised casino in the area. The dress code is formal and ties must be worn. The age limit is 21 and passports are required for entry.
Madrid Carnival is the hypnotic mix of parties, fancy dress and music which fills the streets from February to March. It is a pre-lent carnival, and as such it comes to a spectacular finale on Ash Wednesday.
A little later is the Summer City Festival - June and July become two months of festivities, offering bull fighting, music and theatre.
Shopping
Madrid offers an incredible assortment of shopping opportunities. On Chueca and Fuencarral streets, you will find an impressive range of interesting and quirky shops in an area that has recently been re-developed to become one of the trendiest areas in the city. Fuencarral Market is the best place to pick up high-fashion clothes and accessories. El Rastro flea market is always entertaining and definitely deserves a visit.
Nightlife and Eating Out
Street life reaches rush-hour proportions at 4am, with some carrying on even later. The busiest nights are Friday and Saturday (followed closely by Thursday), with the locals managing to go out every night and miraculously work or study during the day. Nightlife centres on three major districts – Chueca (Madrid’s gay village – also a trendy location for straights), Calle Huertas (traditional Spanish music, smart clubs and bars) and around the Plaza del Dos de Mayo in the Malasaña district (favoured by a hip young crowd).
Zalacaín in Calle de Alvarez de Baena, is Madrid's prestigious three-Michelin-starred restaurant. The dress code is smart, and booking is advised for those wanting to sample the fine Basque cooking Zalacaín has to offer. Less daunting is the recently opened Planet Hollywood in Galeria del Prado, which joined the more established Hard Rock Café on Paseo de la Castellana.
Tourist Information
Plaza Mayor, 3
Opening Hours:
From monday to saturday, form 10 to 20 h.
Sunday and bank holidays from 10 to 15 h.
Telephone: +34 (0)915 881 636 / 91 366 54 77
Fax: +34(0)913 665 477
www.descubremadrid.com
Airport
Barajas International Airport is Madrid's nearest and is connected to the city via the metro.
Car Hire Locations
Auto Europe offices in Madrid:
- Madrid Airport, Desk In Terminal
- Madrid Barajas Airport, Desk In Terminal
- Madrid Downtown Office, 60 Gran Via
- Madrid City Office, Plaza Castilla
- Madrid City Office, 8 San Leonardo
- Madrid Downtown Office, 16-18 Avda Del Partenon
- Madrid Downtown Office, Plaza De Colon - Bus Terminal
- Madrid Downtown Office, 25 Agustin De Foxa
- Madrid Downtown Office, 43 Capitan Haya
- Madrid City Office, Agustin De Foxa 25
- Madrid Railway Station, Glorieta De Atocha S/n
- Madrid - Atocha Office, Estacion De Atocha
- Madrid Rail Station, Estacion De Chamartin
- Madrid Railway New Minsterios, Intercambiador De Transportes
- Madrid Barajas Airport, Desk In Terminals 1 , 2 & 4
- Madrid Downtown, Plaza De Espana, 18
- Madrid City Office, Centro Comercial Abc Serrano
- Madrid Barajas Airport, Desk In Terminals 1 & 4
- Madrid Centre Office, Dr. Esquerdo, 62
- Madrid Las Rozas Office, Calle S, Nave 10 - A
- Madrid Tres Cantos Office, Centro De Encuentros
- Madrid Railstation - Gran Via, Plaza De Espana Car Park
- Madrid Airport, Meeting Point (see Below For
- Madrid Downtown Office, Hotel Eurostars
- Madrid Airport, Desk In Terminal 1 - 3
- Madrid City Office, Hotel Tirol
- Madrid City Office, Hilton Hotel
- Madrid City Office, Nuevos Ministerios
- Madrid Azca City Office, Po Castellana No 67
- Madrid Airport, Must Have Flight Info
- Madrid Barajas Airport, ** Desk In Arrivals Hall **
- Madrid Airport Office, Desk In Terminal
- Madrid Atocha Downtown Office, Ronda De Atocha, 10
- Madrid Chamartin Office, AgustÍn De FoxÁ, 27
- Madrid Cuzco Plaza Office, Castellana 125 Planta 4 Sotano
- Madrid Arturo Soria Office, C/ JuliÁn HernÁndez, 1
- Madrid Plaza Spain Office, Parking SubterrÁneo
- Madrid Repository Office, C/ Roma 9
- Madrid Leganes Office, Avd. Carlos Sainz, 45
- Madrid Garena Plaza Office, Avda De Juan Carlos I Nº 34
- Madrid New Ministries Office, C/ General MoscardÓ
- Madrid - Pinto, Cormonares S/n, Poligono Industrial De La Estacion, Es - 28320
- Madrid - Tres Cantos, Madrid - Tres Cantos
- Madrid - Delicias, Automoviles Alhambra, Paseo De Las Delicias 65 Bis - Spain
- Madrid - Fuencarral, Citroen, Lezama 6, Madrid, Fuencarral, Es - 28034 - Spain
- Madrid - Chamartin Train Station, Estacion De Renfe Chamartin, Local 13, Madrid, Es - 28046
- Madrid - Gran Via, Gran Via 80,parking Pza Espana 3 Sotano,madrid, Madrid, 28013, Es
- Madrid - Centre, Citroen,dr Esquerdo, 62,madrid, Madrid, 55435, Es
- Madrid - Barajas (downtown), Castrobarto, 12 (barrio Aeropuerto)
- Madrid - Barajas Airport, Madrid Airport, Aeropuerto De Barajas.
- Madrid - Orense, Paseo De La Castellana N.193, Madrid, 28046, Es
- Madrid - San Leonardo, San Leonardo N.8, Madrid, 28015, Es
- Madrid - Atocha Train Station, Atocha ?ave Railway Station,glorieta Emperador Carlos V S/n
- Madrid - Pueblo Barajas, Trespaderne N.19, Madrid, 28042, Es
- Madrid - Campo De Las Naciones, Avda.del Partenon N.16-18, Madrid, 28042, Es
- Madrid Pza Espana, Plaza De Espana, 18
- Arturo Soria Plaza, Arturo Soria 126-128
- Madrid Abc Serrano, Serrano, 61/ Castellana 34
- La Vaguada, Av Monforte De Lemos 36
- Las Mercedes, Calle Campezo 3, Nave 4
- Madrid - Mostoles, Poligono Industrial Los Rosales,,calle De La Herreria, No1, Mostoles, Madrid, 28933, Es
- Madrid - Alcobendas, Citroen Amarauto,s.a. Avda Valdeparra 37, Madrid Alcobendas, 28100, Es
- Rivas Vacia Madrid, Isaac Peral,2 Edif A Local 8a
- Paseo De Los Curas 16, Madrid
- Centro Comercial Coronado, C/esperanza S/n Local 55
- Polg. Ind. Ntra Sra De Butarque, Rey Pastor 12
- Aeropuuerto De Barajas, Madrid
- Madrid Airport, Madrid
- Terminal Ave, Estacion De Atocha
- Estacion De Chamartin, Local Puerta 16 Ext
- San Leonardo 8, Madrid
- Campo De Las Naciones, Avd Del Partenon 16-18
- Orense 29, Madrid
- C/ General Alvarez De Castro 39 - 41, Madrid
- Estacion De Ffcc Chamartin, Madrid
- Coslada Downtown,
- Fuenlabrada Downtown,
- Madrid Alcobendas Downtown,
- Madrid Alcorcon Downtown,
- Madrid Arturo Downtown,
- Madrid Atocha Station,
- Madrid Azca Downtown,
- Madrid Centre Downtown,
- Madrid Chamartin Station,
- Madrid Delicias Downtown,
- Madrid Edificio Espana Downtown,
- Madrid Fuencarral Downtown,
- Madrid Gran Via Downtown,
- Madrid Las Rozas Downtown,
- Madrid Mostoles Downtown,
- Madrid Pinto Downtown,
- Madrid Poligono Downtown,
- Madrid Principe Pio Downtown,
- Madrid San Sebastian Downtown,
- Madrid Sarrano Downtown,
- Madrid Station Downtown,
- Madrid Tres Cantos Downtown,
- Majadahonda Downtown,
- Mostoles Downtown,
- Parla Downtown,
- Villalba Moralzarzal Downtown,
- Madrid - Alcobendas, Citroen Amarauto, S A Avda Valdeparra 37, Madrid Alcobendas, Es - 28100
- Madrid - Alcorcon, Citroen, Ctra De Extremadura Km 11800, Madrid-alcoron, Es - 28925
- Madrid - Atocha, Glorieta Emperador Carlos V S/n, Atocha - Ave Railway Station, Madrid, Es-28045
- Madrid - Azca, Po Castellana No 67, Madrid, Es
- Madrid - Barajas, Castrobarto, 12 (barrio Aeropuerto), Madrid-barajas, Es - 28042
- Madrid - Coslada, Avda Constitucion No 5 , Coslada Madrid - 28220
- Madrid - De Foxa, Agustn De Fox, 25madrid
- Madrid - Delicias, Citroen, Paseo De La Delicias 65 Bis, Madrid, Es - 28045
- Madrid - Dr Esquerdo, Dr Esquerdo 62, Madrid, Es - 28007
- Madrid - Fuencarral, Citroen, Lezama 6, Madrid - Fuencarral, Es - 28034
- Madrid - Gran Via, Gran Via 80, Parking Plaza Espana 3 Sotano, Madrid, Es - 28013
- Madrid - Hotel Auditorium, Hotel Auditoriumavd. De Aragon, 400 28022 Madrid
- Madrid - Hotel Melia Castilla, Melia Castilla Hotel, Capitan Haya,4328020 Madrid
- Madrid - Ifema, Ifema (recintos Feriales),parque Ferial Juan Carlos, I28067 Madrid
- Madrid - Las Rozas, Calle S, Nave 10-a, Poligono Industrial Europolis, Madrid, Es 28230.
- Madrid - Mostoles, Poligono Industrial Los Rosales. Calle De La Herreria, Number 1, Mostoles, Madrid, Es - 28933
- Madrid - Pinto, Cormornares S/n, Poligono Industrial De La Estacion, Madrid - Pinto 28320
- Madrid - San Sebastian De Los Reye, Avenida Camino De Lo Cortao, 29, San Sebastian De Los Reyes, Madrid, Es - 28709.
- Madrid - Torrejon, Citroen Dealer, C/solana 40, Corredor De Henares, Torrejon De Ardoz - Madrid, 28850
- Madrid - Tres Cantos, Centro De Encuentros.parque Tecnologico De Madrid, Avenida Isaac Newton No 2, Es - 28760
- Madrid Airport, Madrid Airport28042 Madrid
- Madrid Rail Station, Railway Station Ave Atochaglorieta De Atocha S/n28045 Madrid
Car Hire Prices
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between £14.50 and £54.46 per day |
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between £15.21 and £52.46 per day |
 |
between £15.93 and £66.03 per day |
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between £19.57 and £35.29 per day |
 |
between £19.69 and £92.34 per day |
Comments and Tips
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