Madrid – Hostels in Madrid. Maps for Madrid, Photos and Reviews for each hostel in Madrid.

Go straight from your dorm to one of the world’s most famous art museums. The Prado containing masterpieces from the 12th to the 19th century, making it one of the most visited Madrid tourist attractions. Free admission for students under 25 and free to everyone on Sundays.

Website: www.museodelprado.es

Address: Paseo del Prado, s/n, 28014 Madrid, Spain

The Palacio Real is the official, lavish residence of the Spanish Royal family. The Palace also houses art exhibitions that are available to view at no extra charge – perfect for a backpacker budget.

Website: www.patrimonionacional.es

Address: Calle Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid, Spain

District: Hortaleza

For football fans, there is only one place to go – the 81,000-seat Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. It’s home to Real Madrid, who dominate Spanish football alongside fierce rivals Barcelona.

Website: www.realmadrid.com/en

Address: Av de Concha Espina, 1, 28036 Madrid, Spain

District: Chamartín

Reina Sofia Museum on Santa Isabel, 52 Madrid houses an important collection of 20th and 21st century art, including Picasso's famous Guernica and creations by Miró and Dalí. Free entry on weekday evenings 19:00-21:00 (except Tuesday), as well as Saturday afternoons and Sundays 10:00-14:30.

Website: www.museoreinasofia.es

Address: Calle de Santa Isabel, 52, 28012 Madrid, Spain

District: Embajadores

The Debod Temple is a real Egyptian temple in the heart of Spain. It dates back to the 2nd century BC, and arrived in Madrid in the 1960s after the construction of the Aswan Dam.

Website: www.madridtourist.info/debod_temple.html

Address: Calle Ferraz, 1, 28008 Madrid, Madrid, Spain

District: Moncloa-Aravaca

Malasaña is an affordable, backpacker-friendly district with lively bars, alternative shops and various music venues. Youthful crowds flock to its busy streets, centred around the Plaza del Dos de Mayo.

Sol is said to be the physical centre of Spain and the cultural centre of Madrid – all the city’s major attractions are within easy walking distance, so it’s a prime target when you’re hostel-hunting. There are lively bars that attract a young crowd at the Huertas area, just east of the centre.

If you’re looking for a hostel in a vibrant area where anything goes, try Chueca – situated in the Justicia district, it’s the heart of Madrid’s gay community.

Madrid’s biggest street party takes place on 13th June in Moncloa. Traditionally, girls put their hand into a fountain full of pins at the San Antonio church, and the more pins stick to their hands, the luckier they’ll be in love.

District: Moncloa-Aravaca

Concerts and other events are held in and around the district of Tetuán on the first Sunday of July, to celebrate Nuestra Señora de las Victorias.

District: Chamartín

If you’re hostelling in Madrid between June-September, you’ll be able to catch one or two of the many events that form part of Los Veranos de la Villa, the city’s summer arts festival, including music, dance, cinema, theatre, opera, and other performances.

Website: http://www.veranosdelavilla.com/

If you’ve chosen a hostel near the Retiro Park, this one will be hard to miss. From 23rd-24th of June, the Festival of San Juan takes over the park, with a fireworks display on the first night.

Address: Plaza de la Independencia, 7, 28001 Madrid, Madrid, Spain

District: Cortes

Backpacker groups party with locals during the Madrid Carnival, which takes place over five days in February. Expect flamboyant, imaginative costumes in the parade, which starts at Retiro Park and passes the city centre’s main landmarks.

Website: www.carnavalmadrid.com

Address: Plaza de la Independencia, 7, 28001 Madrid, Madrid, Spain

District: Cortes

Held annually in May or June, the two day Festimad festival attracts fans of rock, dance, poetry reading and more. It is normally held in the Bellas Artes building and in Móstoles.

Website: www.festimad.es

Address: Calle de Alcalá, 42, 28014 Madrid, Spain

District: Ciudad Lineal

Madrid’s serious electronica fans love this three-day feast of bleeps, boings and beats. It takes place at the La Casa Encendida cultural centre in spring.

Address: La Casa Encendida Ronda de Valencia, 2, 28012 Madrid, Madrid, Spain

One for the cultured backpacker: the autumn festival see sevents take place around the city, including theatre and dance performances, photography and painting exhibitions, live music and films.

Website: http://www.madrid.org/fo/2014-2015/es/index.html

For great tapas that’s not too pricey, we suggest La Musa. There are three other venues run by the same people (but with different names), all centrally located.

Address: Calle de Manuela Malasaña, 18-28004 Madrid

District: Centro

Phone: 914 48 75 58

E-mail: lamusa@grupolamusa.com

If your hostel’s in Malasaña and you fancy a burger, you’re in luck. Naif, on Barrio de las Letras, serves fantastic ones, alongside sandwiches and Mexican dishes.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/naifmadrid

Address: Calle de San Joaquín, 16, Madrid 28004

District: Centro

Phone: 910 07 20 71

One thing you must try, after a night of clubbing, is chocolate con churros – deep fried batter that you dip into thick hot chocolate. The most famous place to do this is Chocolatería San Ginés.

Address: Pasadizo San Ginés, 5, 28013 Madrid

District: Sol

Phone: 913 65 65 46

If you don’t mind sitting on the floor, you can get a tasty and cheap vegetarian lunch at the very backpacker-friendly Hare Krishna centre.

Address: Calle del Espíritu Santo 19

District: Centro

Phone: 915 21 30 96

El Tigre is busy and noisy, but it’s popular with hostelling and backpacker groups thanks to the generous portions of free tapas served with each drink.

Address: Calle de las Infantas, 30 Madrid 28004

District: Justicia

Phone: 915 32 00 72

One of the most recommended bars in Malasaña is Barco, which attracts locals and backpackers alike with a mix of club nights, flamenco and live music.

Website: http://www.barcobar.com/

Address: Calle del Barco, 34, 28004

District: Centro

Phone: 915 31 77 54

El Intruso has live music and entry is often free. As well as scheduled shows, there are weekly jam sessions: fusion on a Monday, jazz on a Tuesday. And it serves amazing mojitos…

Website: www.intrusobar.com

Address: Calle de Augusto Figueroa, 3, 28004 Madrid

District: Justicia

Looking for something more than an Estrella? Try this brewpub. It’s a fairly clinical, modern space, but the beers are great and they’re brewed on the premises.

Website: http://fabricamaravillas.com/

Address: Calle de Valverde, 29, 28004 Madrid

District: Centro

Phone: 915 21 87 53

One of the best-known clubs in the city is Joy Madrid (also known as Joy Eslava), held in an old theatre. The wide range of nights cover dance, Latin, cabaret and much more. You’ll be dancing all the way back to the dorm.

Website: http://www.joy-eslava.com/Joy_Madrid/Bienvenida.html

Address: Calle de Arenal, 11, 28013

District: Sol

Phone: 913 66 37 33

Impress your fellow hostel occupants with some salsa moves. El Son offers a fun, unintimidating salsa night out where people don’t take themselves too seriously.

Website: http://www.discotecaelson.com/en

Address: Calle de la Victoria, 6, 28012

District: Sol

Phone: 915 23 26 09

A popular attraction is El Rastro, an outdoor market open on Sundays 09:00-15:00 around Ribera de Curtidores and adjacent streets. Grab some bric-a-brac and liven up that hostel dorm…

Address: Calle Ribera de Curtidores, s/n, 28005 Madrid, Madrid, Spain

District: Centro

Established in 1836, this historic, atmospheric shop is THE place to pick up some classic Spanish espadrilles. Colourful, light and durable, they should be in every backpacker’s bag.

Website: http://www.antiguacasacrespo.com/

Address: Calle Divino Pastor, 29, 28004 Madrid

District: Centro

Phone: 915 21 56 54

This large vintage shop in Malasaña is packed with old-school clothing, much of it with an Americana twist. It’s cool inside too, with bare floorboards and metal shelves giving the place a rough, warehousey feel.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/thethestorage/

Address: Calle Velarde, 1, 28004 Madrid

Phone: 914 45 05 12

Buy a Madrid Card from the Madrid Tourist Information office in the Plaza Mayor, which gives free access to over 40 museums and guided tours plus other discounts.

If you’ve booked your hostel at the right time, you can save a packet on entry fees. Many museums are open on 2nd May (Official Day, Region of Madrid), 18th May (International Museums Day), 12th October (Hispanidad Day) and 6th December (Constitution Day).

A backpacker tip that goes in most Spanish cities: sit at the bar when having drinks and tapas. It costs more to sit at a table. And it costs more to sit outside than inside.