The scale of Madrid – Spain’s largest city – means that car rental can really help you make the most of your trip. It also lets you explore some fascinating nearby landmarks and suburbs, and drive out to see how the Spanish terrain varies as you explore the different regions.

It's a good idea to brush up on Spanish driving laws before you take the wheel in Madrid. Driving on the right and overtaking on the left, you’ll find speed limits signposted, with a maximum speed of 50kph (around 30mph) in built-up areas and 120kph (around 75mph) on freeways. Residential areas will often have limits of 30kph (a little under 20mph).

Some of the faster roads – the autopistas – between cities are toll roads, usually denoted with the word ‘peaje’ – if you have any questions about how to pay these tolls, our local staff will be delighted to help you. Seat belts are compulsory, and cell phone use is illegal while driving.

When parking in Madrid, look out for yellow markings or signs reading ‘Prohibido Estacionar’ – you can’t park in either of those zones. You can use pay and display parking in blue or green zones, or use public parking lots and garages.

Madrid has three ring roads, the outermost one being the M50, moving in to the M40 and then the innermost, the M30. As the city is sat in the heart of Spain, it’s the perfect place to use as a base for a car trip around the country. The A1 leads to the northern coast, passing through Burgos on its way to Bilbao. From here you can sample the peerless seafood of the Galician coast and hop to foodie havens like San Sebastian.

The A2 and AP2 pass east to Zaragoza and then Barcelona, while the south and south-west can be reached via the A5 and A66, taking you to Seville and opening up the resorts of the southern coast to you. 

From colorful food markets to galleries containing some of the world’s finest art, stunning museums and a nightlife scene to rival anywhere in the world, Madrid is a city that bubbles with effervescent life. From the old squares to the new Turks of tapas, we highlight some must-sees in Madrid.

Ponder in del Prado

Originally built for scientists, later housing Napoleon’s troops during an invasion, it wasn’t until the 19th century that the Museo del Prado became an art gallery. Even at its busiest it’s still more accessible than Paris’ Louvre, and many of the finest Spanish painters are wonderfully represented here.

You’ll find numerous works by Goya, including his dark and dramatic Black Paintings. Las Meninas by Velazquez is viewed by many critics as the greatest painting in history – and seeing the playful masterpiece up close it’s to understand why. Elsewhere you’ll see El Greco, Rubens, Rembrandt, Bruegel, Hieronymus Bosch, Raphael and Titian. See more recent art at the world class Reina Sofia, home to Francis Bacon, Dali, Damien Hirst and Picasso’s awesome Guernica.

The grandest of squares

The Spanish really know how to do public squares, and Madrid’s Plaza Mayor might be the finest of them all. You’ll have found your way here through busy, often narrow streets, and the way this grand square opens up will snatch your breath away.

It was built in 1619 and has been the hub of life for Madrilenos ever since. It has seen protests, executions, bullfights and more, although these days it’s a gentler affair, known for its cafes and, in winter, a Christmas market.

Nearby is another amazing square, the Puerta del Sol. Here you’ll find the El Oso y El Madrono statue of a bear eating from a tree, the 17th century Church of San Gines, as well as fountains and cafes serving Spanish breakfast favorite churros con chocolate.

Teatro and tapas

The Royal Theatre – Teatro Real – was opened in 1850 but endured a 50-year closure in the 20th century. It has been open again since 1997, refurbished and now the home of top tier opera performances. You can pick up tickets online, or arrange a guided tour of the chocolate box interior.

You’ll find top-notch spots to eat all around the city, but the Calle Cava Baja in the La Latina neighborhood is a great place to try food at different places as part of a ‘tapas crawl’. Dive into the wild mushroom croquettes at Taberna Casa Lucas, while the cured duck and orange on toast and Cabrales cheese with anchovies at La Concha are perfect.

It may be standing room only in some of the places you’ll be tempted to try, just jostle your way to the front and don’t be afraid of getting the waiting staff’s attention.

Vast squares teeming with life, art galleries where you can spend hours, days, even weeks, and the Madrileno passion for sun, this is a city of unparalleled vibrancy. Car rental in Madrid will get you out to see all that it has to offer, as well as giving you license to explore the rest of Espana.