Atocha Train Station
Is the area near the Atocha station considered safe? I know in some
cases, the area near train stations are a bit seedy. I will be arriving
from Barcelona (cruise) and flying out of Madrid in order to avoid JFK
airport. Baggage wise it would be more convenient to stay near Atocha.
Just wondering if it would be a good choice for two nights?
Thanks
Paula
Arlington, TX USA 1/25/13
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We didn't feel unsafe, there are the usual posts about being careful getting your purse of wallet out as thieves get in close behind you. We didn't see any of this.
We Got the AVE train to Madrid from Barcelona, it opens onto a very busy main intersection..
It would be more convenient to take in and enjoy the atmosphere of Madrid near Plaza Mayor rather than stay in that area. The Renia Sofia museum is very close to Atocha but it would not be my choice of where to stay.
Go to Booking.com and pull up their map you can put your cursor over the various icons.
Are you planning on spending any nights in Barcelona ?
I hear ya about JFK we came back from a cruise that started in San Juan PR and had to fly to JFK for a connecting flight to Seattle... Hubby & I both said 1st and last time through JFK for us!
I have stayed here for two nights and will do again - http://www.mediodiahotel.com/en/ easy to drop luggage and access Atocha. Ask for a room at the rear overlooking the Reina Sofia or Calle Santa Isabel, for quiet. I certainly do not recognize the area as 'seedy'.
Like Neil, we stayed right by Atocha and it was a good choice. We liked being able to walk to and from the station instead of using taxi to metro to our hotel.
The area is not the least bit seedy. Three major streets converge in a Y at a traffic circle in front of the station. Across those streets are government buildings ( Ministry of Agriculture) museums ( archeological museum to the right, Reina Sofia to the left) hotels and cafes, and the start of the Paseo del Prado, which leads you past the royal botanical garden (which abuts Retiro Park) to the Prado. It was probably a ten-minute walk from our hotel ( Husa Paseo del Arte, 92 euro) to the Prado. We also walked to Puerta del Sol, Plaza Santa Ana, and Plaza Mayor from there.
I much preferred that location to my choice on a previous visit to Madrid, when we stayed right on Puerta del Sol.
I wouldn't call the area around Atocha "seedy", either. The Prado is very nearby, as is the Reina Sofia, as well as the Westin Palace hotel. It's quite a nice area.
Thanks for all the great suggestions. I didn't mean to imply that the area
was seedy, I was just asking as I will be on that segment of my trip alone.
Sorry if I gave the impression that I thought it was. I have a reservation at
a Marriott in the area but I'm considering staying at the Hotel Opera if they
have space available. Thanks again!