Car Hire Madrid

Madrid is a city that bursts with life, and finding the different pockets of vitality here is all part of the fun. You’ll find a number of routes which criss-cross the city, so you can tour around and take in all the sights you want to see. The M30 runs down the easterly side of the city while the M40 and M50 circle the city, making everything within reach, or affording a way to miss the centre if you’re exploring the suburbs.

Driving through Spain is a pleasure, as a constantly shifting landscape and open roads make the journey feel just as exciting as the destination. Take the A6 out of Madrid and the city of Ávila awaits you. With over 80 watchtowers and over 2,500 turrets, this walled city is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Stay for an evening and be mesmerised by the lights which illuminate these imposing walls.

If a road trip beckons then why not travel across the stunning interior of Spain to the sea-side city of Valencia with its space-age architecture. Take the A3 and along the way you can stop at Tarancón. With a charming Gothic church, it’s certainly worth a little break for lunch. From Valencia you can take the coastal road up to beautiful Barcelona.

Spanish roads are a real mix of major highways that are wide, well-maintained roads running between the cities, A-roads that tend to be mid-size and more scenic and then, of course, smaller country roads which can take longer from A to B but often give you the best vistas.

Speed limits vary, with highways carrying the highest speed limit of 120km/h, reducing to 50km/h when driving through towns. There are a few compulsory items that you need to carry in your car, including light bulbs and a high visibility vest, however we can help you ensure you have everything you need to travel safely.

Madrid is a city that always leaves you wanting more. You’ll want to see more of the beautiful architecture set against blue, sunny skies. More of the art that adorns the walls of the many galleries. More of the vibrant bars and restaurants which keep the spirit of the city alive, night and day. Madrid offers so much and it’s just waiting to be explored.

View to a thrill

Only when you see Madrid from above can you appreciate its sheer size. For a true panoramic view of one of Europe’s largest cities, the tower of Palacio de Cibeles gives you an amazing perspective on Calle de Alcalá, the city’s longest street decorated with an array of eclectic architecture and filled with bars, shops and restaurants.

Back on the ground you can bypass the busy streets and take a walk in Parque del Retiro, a vast public green space in the heart of the city, formerly owned by Spanish royalty. For football fans, a visit to Madrid wouldn’t be complete without stepping inside Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, home to Real Madrid, an iconic team with a stadium to match. Try to catch a game while you’re in the city, the rowdy atmosphere which envelops the stadium is unreal as the Madrilenos sing for their team.

Art adventures

Spain’s capital boasts some of the world’s most amazing works of art, much of it located in three galleries adjacent to each other on the Paseo del Prado. Legends such as Van Gogh, Caravaggio and Dali can be seen hanging in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, while in the Museo Nacional del Prado you’ll find pieces by Rembrandt, Raphael and Velazquez. For Picasso’s powerful Guernica, make time for the Museo Reina Sofia, which focuses on the 20^th century.

But works of art aren’t just confined to the museums, they’re on every street corner. Marvel at the Puerta de Alcala, known as the ‘gateway to Madrid’, an impressive archway dating back to 1778, or be blown away by the ornate Palacio Real, official residence of the Spanish royal family.

Eat all day, eat all night

Food is not to be rushed in Madrid, the simple, bold flavours and relaxed way of life make dining a true pleasure. For breakfast, visit Chocolateria San Ginés, home to some of the finest chocolate churros in the city. At the weekend, explore the street food of Rastro flea market or savour a Bocata de calamares (calamari sandwich) at Plaza Mayor – no visit here is complete without one.

At night, Madrid bursts into life down on the Gran Via, known as Madrid’s Broadway, where you can take in a show or enjoy tapas as you soak in the vibrant atmosphere. Dinner starts late and ends very, very late.

Triumphant Toledo

Car rental in Madrid means the stunning walled city of Toledo is just an hour away, on a route that takes you through the breath-taking landscapes of the Spanish countryside.

Toledo sits proudly on a hill above Castilla-La Mancha and is known both for timeless art from El Greco and the historical co-existence of different faiths and cultures. As you make your way through it, you’ll come across synagogues, mosques and cathedrals.

Here in the heart of Spain the sheer wealth of sights, wondrous buildings and stately squares will charm you into coming back again and again.