Madrid Transport

A dense network of bus, metro and local trains serves central Madrid. The main hub is the Puerta del Sol. The metro system comprising 11 lines is very quick and efficient but as in all capital cities very crowded during rush hour. Single tickets or 10-journey tickets can be bought at newspaper stands, tobacco stores (estancos) and the main bus stops

Day trips

If at all possible a day trip to Toledo is not to be missed. Take the train at Atocha station and within one hour and fiteen minutes you will arrive at this UNESCO Heritage of Mankind city. Often described as the ‘soul of Spain’; it lies seventy km (forty miles) south of Madrid. There is much to see such as the el Greco museum and the thirteenth-century Alcazar fortress.

Another option is El Escorial, taking only one hour to reach from Atocha or Chamartin stations. El Escorial lies just fifty km (thirty miles) northwest of Madrid and is the name of the village as well as the vast palace monastery which comprises eight acres, nine towers sixteen courtyards!