Holiday rentals in Madrid

Elegant and eclectic, Spain’s capital city is bursting with fashion, art, and gastronomic experiences at every turn. Amid its bustling barrios, you’ll find incredible architecture, historic palaces, and world-famous museums and galleries, as well as lush gardens and sprawling green spaces. A renowned European couture capital, Madrid regularly hosts high-profile fashion events, and the shopping on streets like Gran Via is world-class.

A haven for art lovers, Madrid is known for its “golden triangle” of museums featuring works by some of the world’s most famous artists: the Museo Del Prado, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, and the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza. Museums aren’t the only culture Madrid has to offer, though — boutique galleries and theatres are nestled among the city’s cobblestoned laneways, and people-watching from Puerta del Sol is always an entertaining way to pass a few hours.

Each of Madrid’s many barrios has a distinct and memorable character. Head to La Latina for some of the city’s best tapas and festivals, Salamanca for nightlife, or Las Letras to learn more about the city’s literary history. Wherever you find yourself, you’ll always be well fed, as Madrid is home to spectacularly colourful markets, thousands of bars, and 20 Michelin-starred restaurants.

There’s something to do in Madrid all year round, and you may choose to plan your stay around one of the city’s popular festivals, especially Dos de Mayo in May, La Paloma in August, the Festival de Otoño in October, and Madrid Pride Week in June/July.

In the summer months, Madrid tends to slow its pace, with many local business owners closing their doors to go on holiday. July and August can get particularly hot and humid in the city centre, though with the exception of a few summer storms, it rarely rains. Summer also means long, balmy evenings that are perfect for al fresco dining. Spring and autumn bring milder temperatures and cooler breezes, and are ideal for wandering the streets or picnicking in the many parks. While winter can get cold, there is very little rain or snow in Madrid, and this is a great time for sightseeing under clear skies and enjoying the city’s many bars and restaurants.

El Retiro park

Occupying more than 350 acres in the city centre is the sprawling El Retiro park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Filled with unique monuments and gardens, it’s a popular spot for picnics, jogging, cycling, and even rowing on the lake. The Reina Sofía Museum has two exhibition spaces in the garden, and there is also a 400-year-old Mexican conifer in the park that’s believed to be the oldest tree in Madrid.

La Latina

Located right in the centre of the city, this vibrant Madrid neighbourhood was once the site of a medieval Islamic fortress. Today, it’s a colourful maze of tapas bars, taverns, market stalls, plazas, and cantinas. On Sundays, the streets of La Latina host the popular El Rastro open-air street market, and every August, locals dress up and dance in the streets to celebrate La Paloma festival.

Museo Del Prado

It’s hard to leave Madrid without a visit to the iconic Prado Museum, which houses one of the world’s largest collections of European art, dating as far back as the 12th century. There are more than 8,000 drawings, 7,000 paintings, and 1,000 sculptures inside the museum’s walls, including work by Spanish masters.