How to Travel to Madrid, Spain

Madrid is famous for its bustling nightlife and plethora of clubs. (Photo: Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images )

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Items you will need

• Passport Airline tickets

Step 1

Obtain a United States Passport. Pick up an application from your local post office or on the website for the U.S. Department of State. Fill out the application and obtain two photographs per the passport photo instructions. Do not sign the application until you turn it in, as an official must witness your signature. Turn your application in along with the appropriate fee, and bring along proof of identification and citizenship. You can do this at many post office locations. Fees vary depending on whether you obtain a passport book, passport card or both and whether or not your application is a renewal or a first-time application. Apply eight to 12 weeks in advance of your trip to allow time for processing.

Step 2

Purchase your airline ticket. Investigate a variety of options such as travel agents, airline websites and travel websites to find the best deal or use frequent flier miles to obtain a discount. Most people traveling to Madrid choose to fly directly into the Madrid-Bajaras Airport for convenience. No visa is necessary to travel to Spain for business or travel purposes for 90 days or less.

Step 3

Locate suitable accommodations. Madrid offers a wide variety of lodgings for the traveler including the Hotel Ateneo and Hotel Maria Elena Palace for the budget-conscious visitor and the Park Hyatt Villa Magna and the Hesperia Madrid for those who desire luxury and are willing to pay the price.

Dine in a variety of restaurants. Some to choose from include Casa Paco, a Spanish steakhouse; La Trainera for seafood; and La Finca de Susana for a budget lunch. For a bite on the run, follow your nose to locate any of the numerous street vendors selling tasty treats on the street corners.

Visit some of the many attractions available in Madrid. The Palacio Real, a former royal palace now used for occasions of state; the Parque de Atracciones, a theme park of particular interest for families; and the Safari Madrid, an animal park where visitors can view animals in a natural habitat, are just some of the most-visited offerings.