Car Rental Alger International Airport - Houari Boumedienne

Madrid Barajas Airport is 23km north-east of the city centre. It’s a 30-minute drive to the centre of Madrid via the M-30, A-3, E-5 and M-14 roads, though this can take longer during rush hour times.

The city is ringed by three roughly concentric roads. The M-30 is the innermost ring road, then the M-40, with the M-50 being the outermost ring. Road connections to other parts of Spain are excellent.

The E-5/A-1 heads north to the medieval majesty of Burgos, where the AP-1 carries on to the north coast. The AP-2 and A-2 run north-east to Barcelona, while the A-4 heads south to Málaga and the magical Mediterranean coast.

Hiring a car allows you to get out and explore the surrounding towns and cities that border Madrid, opening the door to a treasure trove of Spanish discovery.

Drive to the ancient city of Toledo, just an hour south on the A-42 or head to the historical royal residence of the King of Spain at El Escorial, an hour north-west on the A-6 and M-600.

French-influenced Aranjuez is 50 minutes south on the A-4 and M-305. Segovia – famed for its Gothic cathedral and Roman aqueduct – is 90km north-west via the A-6 and AP-61, while the walled medieval city of Ávila lies 100km west of the city via the A-6 and AP-6.

It’s worth acquainting yourself with the rules of the road and local driving etiquette, even if you’re an experienced European driver. There are three types of main road you’ll encounter throughout Spain.

Carreteras nacionales are toll-free national roads with a speed limit of 90km/h, autovías are toll-free dual carriageways with a speed limit of 100km/h, while autopistas are toll motorways with a limit of 120km/h.

You’ll drive on the right, as in the rest of mainland Europe, and should stick to the right-hand lane on motorways and dual carriageways unless overtaking. Our local team will happily inform you of the toll charges you may encounter and how to pay them.

When parking in Madrid city centre, stick to the main underground car parks – street parking is very limited and double parking is common practice. Signs saying ‘Prohibido Estacionar’ or yellow road markings mean that you can’t park in that area.

Drive in to Madrid and you’ll immediately be struck by just how much there is to see and do in this spectacular capital city, from mind-boggling art collections and breathtaking Baroque palaces to resplendent Roman remains and spectacular ancient towns.

Be sure to allow yourself time as well to just sit back and soak up the enthralling buzz that is the dynamic atmosphere of Madrid.

The Art Triangle

Spend a day delving into the pages of history by taking advantage of the location of Madrid’s triumvirate of world-beating art museums, located just a few hundred metres from each other along the Paseo del Prado.

Start at the Museo del Prado, the most famous of the three, housing one of the world’s greatest collections of paintings, including the best of the Spanish, Italian and Flemish schools spanning the 12^th to 18^th centuries.

Some of the highlights include Las Meninas by Velázquez, Goya's Majas and The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, as well as works by Titian, Rubens and El Greco.

The Reina Sofía, meanwhile, focuses on more contemporary art and is home to perhaps Pablo Picasso's most famous piece, Guernica, alongside works by Miró, Dalí and Juan Gris. By the time you reach the third of the galleries, the Thyssen-Bornemisza, you’ll be in artistic heaven.

Here, you’ll uncover a treasure trove of the finest works by Impressionist and Expressionist masters, as well as an extensive collection of 20^th century North American art. Highlights include paintings by such greats as Monet, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Klee and Kandinsky.

The pleasure of people-watching

As you get to grips with the city, you’ll realise that it’s the lifestyle of the inhabitants – the madrileños – that’s one of the capital’s main attractions, whether they be hanging out in traditional cafés or summer terrazas, or packing the lanes of the Sunday Rastro flea market, not far from Puerto del Toledo.

One of the best places to watch the locals at play is Parque El Retiro, close to the Paseo del Prado. The city’s most popular park is a delightful mix of formal gardens and wide open spaces.

At its atmospheric heart is the Plaza Mayor, a huge square of Flemish-inspired architecture that makes the perfect setting to sit back and watch the world go by while enjoying some mouth-watering tapas.

City escapes

Hiring a car allows you to get out of the city and visit some of Spain’s greatest attractions, most of which are within an hour’s drive of Madrid.

Top of the list is undoubtedly Toledo, a fascinating and perfectly preserved living museum of the many influences that have helped shape Spain.

Toledo was once the country’s capital and has been immortalised by the great artist, El Greco, who lived and worked here.

A close second in terms of appeal has to be Segovia, famed for its stunning Roman aqueduct and fantastic fairy tale castle. Felipe II’s vast palace of El Escorial is also worth visiting

Some of the less well-known places worth seeking out include Aranjuez, with its lavish Baroque palace and gardens, and the stunningly beautiful walled town of Ávila.

If you have time, don’t miss Cervantes’ home town of Alcalá de Henares, complete with its amazing stunning 16th-century university buildings.

Car rental gives you the freedom to explore every corner of Madrid – as well as venture to other must-see sights outside the city to truly make the most of your trip.