Madrid is a very nice, safe, not too big city. Here you can find many useful information. We will be in an university area, quiet, close to several large parks. Well comunicated. By metro, buses and taxis. There are many taxi stops. The recommended hotels are in a neigborhood near the campus, in a shoping area with numerous shops, restaurants and cafes. If you have planned to arrive in Madrid by plane, you will arrive to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport. This airport is a 25 or 35 minutes by car from the Arguelles area (depending on the traffic). The price for a taxi ride from the Barajas airport to the centre of Madrid is a flat rate 30€ one way, the luggage is included for any tariffs which apply. The weather is very hot in July in Madrid, but in most public places there is AC. Madrid has some of the best museums in the world, like the Museo del Prado or Museo Reina Sofía. On the other hand, a visit whit children to Zoo-Aquarium Madrid could be fine. But above all Madrid is a city to walk.
A walk of 5,5 km approx. from Arguelles could be to Princesa Street, Plaza de España, Gran Via, Callao, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Opera, Teatro Real, Plaza de Oriente, Catedral de la Almudena, Palacio Real, Templo de Debod, Paseo de Rosales and return to Arguelles.
Arguelles-Colon by metro line 4, metro stops: Arguelles-San Bernardo-Bilbao-Alonso Martinez-Colon (or 2,3 km walking.)
Another walk of 5,3 km approx. is from Plaza de Colón, Paseo de Recoletos, here you can see National Library and National Archaeological Museum, Plaza de Cibeles (with the fountain where Real Madrid celebrate its victories) the 4 corners of this square are Palacio de Correos (City Council), National Bank of Spain, Headquarter Army gardens and Palacio de Linares (Casa de América). Continue to Alcala street, Puerta de Alcala, Retiro gardens (Crystal Palace), Atocha, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Real Jardin Botánico, Museo Nacional del Prado, Neptuno fountain (where Atlético de Madrid celebrate its victories), Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and come back to Cibeles and Colón.
