Madrid is one of the most popular gay destinations in Europe. This is due to the open, tolerant atmosphere and a well-developed gay scene. In addition, Madrid is a beautiful city with many touristic attractions and museums. In the Chueca district, you can find most of the over 200 gay bars, clubs and shops of Madrid. This district is located close to the city center of Madrid. If you book a hotel near, or in the Chueca district or near the Gran Via, you are assured of an excellent location to explore both Madrid and Madrid’s gay scene.
From € 82 per night
The Axel Hotel Madrid is located in the city center of Madrid and is a perfect starting point from which to explore both the gay scene and the tourist attractions of Madrid. From the hotel it is a 15-minute walk to the popular gay district Chueca's a
Aside from the regular religious holidays, some of the important holidays include Labour day, Day of Madrid, National Day of Spain, and Constitution Day. In celebration of these holidays, public offices and even businesses are either closed or will be open on reduced hours. It is also important to note that many businesses will be closed during the regional and national holidays observed in the country.
Madrid is a great place to visit at any time of the year. But if you are talking about the weather, then the best time to visit Madrid is in the summer, from May through September. Why? Well, the city has an average temperature of 65°F (18°C) in the summer. There is always a chance of rain, but the rain seldom lasts long.
The majority of the museums around Madrid open from 10 am – 7 pm or sometimes until 8 pm on Tuesdays through Sundays. Although most of these museums are closed during Mondays, there is an exception to these scheduled operating hours. Some of them are closed either on Sundays or Tuesdays, while others remained all throughout the week.
Airports in the world are notorious for being far from the cities they serve. Madrid Airport is no exception, being way out in the outskirts of the city. If you are in Madrid City Centre, your location is 12 kilometers away from this airport. Madrid Airport or the Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is thus the second largest in the region, with several international airlines serving it, including low-cost carriers such as Ryanair. However, if you are traveling to Madrid without a budget airline ticket, the best way to get to and from Madrid is by bus.
The airport is located near the center of Madrid. It will take around 15-20 minutes to get to the center of the city, where we assumed your hotel is located from the airport. The easiest way to get to the center of the city is to take the metro. There is also Airport express train which takes about 20 minutes to get to the Airport.
Transportation in Madrid has a multitude of options, including the metro, buses, trams, and commuter trains. Regardless of which form of transportation you choose, however, there’s no denying that entering the metro station is a tedious process. As you’re waiting for the ticket collector to announce the next train, each new arrival causes the queue to move forward a little, slowly making you feel that you’re getting somewhere. And all you want to do is get to your destination so you can get home and into bed.
The most common way to get a taxi in Madrid is to call a taxi company. This is the case even if you hail a taxi on the street. It is important to know that you are going to have a conversation with the driver, so pick up a card with the company’s phone number. The company will call you back and tell you when to pick up the taxi. They will usually pick you up in front of the airport or train station. Their calling system is not really the best, so if you want to know if they will be on time, ask someone else.
Madrid is a city that’s full of art and culture, and this is reflected in its museums and monuments, which are famous worldwide. You can tour the Royal Palace and the National Archaeological Museum, visit the Prado and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and get to see works of art by all the greatest artists. The city is also home to the Royal Alcazar (Royal Castle) and the Royal Gardens. The Palacio Real is a stately complex of buildings in the Plaza Mayor that houses the Royal Family.
This is the Spanish Royal Palace, one of Spain’s most important buildings, and it’s home to the Queen and King. The palace’s central courtyard is a beautiful place to visit at night when the palace is lit up, and the views from the balcony are incredible. The gay friendly hotels that are near are Westin Palace Hotel, Francisco I Hotel, and Vincci Vía – 66 Hotel.
Madrid is full of history and culture, and most of the highlights are free to see. The most important museums you should visit is the Museo Nacional del Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum, and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. These three are popularly known as Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art Museums. If you’d like to see even more, though, then Argentina’s National Museum of Roman Art is well worth visiting. Set in Madrid’s Plaza de Colon, the museum is full of ancient Roman relics and contains a huge selection of artifacts from the city’s past.
Gay-friendly bars and restaurants are not just for the out-and-proud—they’re also a great way to find and enjoy fantastic places that cater to your interests. If you’re a fan of sports, local bars like the Maracana Stadium and Estádio do Maracanã are likely to have the game on TV. If you prefer jazz, the city is home to several clubs and lounges and can often be found at the Recanto das Cabeceiras art gallery. Even if you’re a local, finding a hidden gay-friendly bar or restaurant can be an adventure.
