Car hire Madrid

Introduction

Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. It is a metropolis where many multinational companies are located, it houses the Spanish parliament, etc. In addition, every year the city attracts many tourists, who are drawn to, among other things, the interesting museums and the city's vibrant nightlife.

Population

Madrid has about 3 million inhabitants. Spain as a whole has about 40 million inhabitants.

Location

Madrid is situated roughly in the center of Spain, far away from the sea and at an altitude of about 600 meters, which means that the winters are cold and the summers hot. To the north and east of the city, there are two mountain ranges: Sa de Gredos and Sierra de Guadarrama.

Economy

Madrid is a real metropolis. In Madrid, many multinational companies are located. The capital also plays a major (international) role in the banking sector. In addition, there is also a lot of industry. Most of Madrid's industry is located in the south of the city, where textile, food and metal are processed.

Also, there are many jobs in the public sector, related to the government, parliament, etc. Spain's Royal Family also lives in Madrid.

And, of course, tourism also plays a role. Tourists come to Madrid for its cultural and artistic attractions. In addition, the city's vibrant nightlife also attracts many tourists. Finally, Madrid also houses a number of universities.

Airports

Barajas International Airport is Madrid's airport. This airport connects the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal) to the rest of Europe. Last year, Barajas International Airport processed 40 million passengers, which makes it one of the 20 busiest airports in the world. At the moment, the airport is being expanded, which will further improve its service.

Public transport

If you do not have a rental car, you can use Madrid's public transport system. At the airport, you can take the subway or bus to the center. Madrid's bus company is called EMT. The regional trains in Madrid that take you to the suburbs of the city are operated by Ceranias. The best form of public transport in Madrid is the subway, which is fast and clean, and which will take you "everywhere".

Traffic and Parking

Madrid is a fairly difficult city to drive. It is best to avoid rush hour: the best time to drive is between 14.00 and 16.00. Once you have arrived in the center, take the first available place to park. Parking spaces are marked with a P. Costs may be up to one euro per hour. It is not recommended to park your rental car on the sidewalk, chances are you will get a fine or your car will be towed away. If this happens to you, you should call the Gua Municipal.

Hotels

Madrid has an excellent hotel sector. You can find anything, from budget to very luxurious. Generally speaking, it is not hard to find a place to sleep. However, especially during the summer and during holidays, it is advisable to book your hotel room in advance.

External Sources

For more information about Madrid, we recommend Google, and the following sources:

• Wikipedia, Madrid
• Council of Madrid
(English and Spanish)
• DescubreMadrid.com
(English and Spanish)