Mihail Schwarz

Almost every tour program introducing Madrid includes this completely unexpected attraction: Atocha Station (Estación de Atocha). This station is the oldest in Madrid, and in 1851, Queen Isabella II opened the city's very first railway station here. The very first trains ran on the Madrid-Aranjuez route, where the royal residence was located, and they were popularly called the "strawberry train."

When planning a trip to Madrid, one of the key questions you will have is: where is the best place to stay, in which neighborhood and hotel? Therefore, I'll explain which areas are better suited for exploring the attractions of the Spanish capital or for a family vacation, and which ones are ideal for those who love entertainment or shopping.