I'm headed to Madrid Oct. 13-17 and am not sure on where to stay (it's been 10 years since I was last in Madrid). My girlfriend and I are 30 and looking for a nice hostal in or near the night life. We plan to hit the clubs etc. Some of our friends have said that the Plaza del Sol is the place to be, but I've noticed that my of the people on these messageboards tout the Plaza Santa Anna area. I'd like to get things booked up ASAP because it seems things are filling up for some reason.

Any clarification/distiction between these areas would be helpful. Also, suggestions on places to stay (that may still have rooms) and good techno clubs would be great.

Thanks for your help.
Mark

If you check on a map, you will see that the Puerta del Sol and the Plaza de Santa Ana are very nearby. Sol is big and noisy-- staying near Sol is cool. Santa Ana can be noisy, but it is intimate and a great location. As long as you are happy with your hostal and it is central, you should be fine! let us know how it goes!

I agree with rgf. Puerta del Sol is BUSY with high concentration of people & tourists, traffic, and pickpocketers. I would suggest Plaza Santa Ana. It's slower, but still busy with nightlife and fewer tourists -- still, be careful with your wallet. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that the majority of tourists DON'T go to Plaza Santa Ana at all.

Saludos, MadridMan (leaving for Madrid in 3 hours!)

The three points in Madrid where you will find more tourist are:

1) Puerta del Sol
2) Plaza Mayor
3) Plaza de Santa de Ana

Nevertheless Madrid is a city that somehow hides itself. Most probably (like 95% of tourists) you will miss the Plaza de la Paja area (where only very knowledgeable tourists go) which is the Middle ages part of the city and the most beautiful and enticing for me.

Good Luck
Andrés.

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