Located north-east of the capital, Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport is well connected to the surrounding major roads so you can easily make your way into the city center.

Follow the M-14 and M40 into Madrid and you’ll be there within 25 minutes. The M-30 encircles the city, providing access to the wealth of attractions within the heart of Madrid. Use Av. De la Ciudad de Barcelona if you’re planning on visiting Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and Parque del buen Retiro. If you’ve got tickets to a soccer match at Real Madrid’s Santago Bernabeu Stadium, follow the M11 and Paseo de la Castellana.

To visit Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s central lively square, it’s best to park up and head there on foot. There are plenty of parking lots and underground facilities around the city where you can leave your rental vehicle.

Beyond Madrid, you’ll find enchanting towns and cities peppered throughout the countryside that are perfect for a day trip.

Boasting Moorish and Mudéjar architecture, ancient Toledo is a must for your itinerary while in Madrid. Follow the A-42 south to Toledo and you’ll be there in an hour. It takes the same amount of time to visit San Lorenzo de El Escorialt if you take the A-6. Home to a breathtaking royal palace and monastery, it’s made even more dramatic by the surrounding peaks.

Manzanares el Real, set among the mountains, is a 45-minute journey north via the M-607. Here you can explore the fairy tale 15^th-century castle and soak up stunning mountain scenery.

As at home, you’ll drive on the right-hand side of the road while in Spain. Speed limits vary according to the road. On freeways, known as autovias or autopistas if they’re tolled, the maximum is 120km/h (74mph) which reduces down to 50km/h (30mph) in urban areas.

Experience the pulse of Spain in its vibrant capital, Madrid. As the largest city in the country, it’s teeming with cultural and culinary treasures that’ll ignite a new passion for all things Spanish. Make the most of your time in the dynamic destination when you rent a car from Madrid Airport.

Madrid's marvelous museums

Art lovers flock to this city from all around the world to get a taste of its celebrated galleries and museums. See what all the fuss is about for yourself with a visit to Museo del Prado, one of the finest galleries on the planet.

More than 1,500 paintings are hung in the museum’s 70-plus rooms spanning the 12^th to the 19^th century, from masters such as Bosch, Titian, Velázquez and Goya.

From here, head to Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, which focuses on contemporary works of art. Picasso’s Guernica is the star of the show, with pieces from Salvador Dalí and Francis Bacon competing for your attention.

After a day of sightseeing, make your way to Parque de El Retiro to soak up the last rays of sunshine. Stroll through the lush park in the direction of the lake where you can rent a rowing boat. Cruise across the shore and get a close-up view of the glorious monument to Alfonso XII.

Get the royal treatment

Make your way to the Palacio Real, a jaw-dropping 18^th century royal palace that’s the largest in Europe. Pause in the sun-kissed square outside to drink in its baroque beauty before heading inside to take the tour. Gaze at the enormous art collection in the Painting Gallery and marvel at the elaborate tapestries and marble furnishings decorating the palace rooms.

During the evening embrace the opportunity to dine like a local and enjoy a late-night dinner nibbling on tapas in a side street bar. La Latina is the best area in the city for the bite-size dishes. Popular with locals and visitors alike, the vibrant neighborhood is full of bars and restaurants serving Spanish tortilla, Galician octopus and oxtail stew.

Day trips from Madrid

There are no shortage of fascinating destinations on Madrid’s doorstep. Segovia is one of the finest, a UNESCO-protected town that may only be small but is packed with historical treasures. Tour around its top sights and get a feel for the long and rich history of this Castilian gem.

Begin your trip back in time at the magnificent Roman aqueduct. The spectacular landmark dates all the way back to the 1^st century and is an inspiring blend of arches, spanning more than 800 meters. From here, meander through the old town towards the Gothic cathedral. The epic fortress-like church dominates the skyline of the city and the views from the top of its tower are staggering.

Last but certainly not least, the magical Alcázar. Thought to have inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle, this fairy tale structure is an enchanting swansong for your trip to Segovia. Get your camera at the ready and take snaps of the mesmerizing 16^th century façade’s dramatic turrets, set high atop a hillside. Finish off by scaling more than 150 steps to the top of the San Juan II Tower for incredible sweeping views.

When you rent a car from Madrid Airport, you'll have fast and easy access to the city’s biggest cultural attractions. With its excellent road network providing easy access to the Castilian countryside, there's no better way to get around Spain’s capital.