What to see in Madrid Atocha railway station

Where is Atocha train station in Madrid?

Atocha is well connected not just to Madrid but the whole of Spain. The Madrid Atocha railway station is located in the south of the capital, about 15 minutes from the center. It communicates, through Paseo del Prado and Paseo de Recoletos, with the north, and through Valencia Street with the Puerta del Sol area.

So much is jammed into a small area, with countless streets lined with boutique shops, galleries, theatres and the like. Madrid's world-famous trio of art museums, the royal botanical gardens and the old city are also within walking distance. Accessible by metro lines 1 and 6 as well as numerous commuter trains to wider districts, Atocha is one of the major travel hubs in the city. Thanks to these excellent transport connections, visitors staying in this area will have the whole of Madrid on their doorstep, not to mention the wealth of beautiful attractions in the immediate area.

Atocha station is the largest and busiest train station in Spain, as well as being one of the most architecturally intriguing and historically significant. Madrid's first ever train station was built on this site in 1851 and the original terminal is still standing. This glamorous structure is complimented by more post-modern industrial architecture, with a beautiful glass concourse now encasing a stunning botanical garden. Trains depart from and arrive into Atocha from all over Spain – even connecting to Portugal and France as well – so visitors staying near Madrid Atocha railway station certainly can't complain about being stuck out of the way!

Cultural gems beat royal jewels

There is a wealth of culture and history to be discovered in Atocha. The Queen Sofia Museum (Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia) is barely a five minute walk from Atocha station. The building itself – a converted early-19th century royal hospital – is a prominent local landmark. Its striking glass towers provide a stellar view from the top floors of the Hotel NH Madrid Atocha as well as other surrounding buildings. Dedicated to 20th century and primarily Spanish art, the Queen Sofia Museum houses comprehensive collections of two of modern art's trailblazing figures: Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. Picasso's masterpiece Guernica hangs here and is arguably the most important and famous painting in Spain. After a visit to the Sofia, art lovers wanting to continue their pilgrimage could not be in a better place. Just further north along the Paseo del Prado is the magnificent 1600-piece collection of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the magnificent Prado Museum, the grandeur of which is rivalled only by the likes of the Louvre in Paris and Florence's Uffizi Gallery. Multiple weeks could be spent going between these three, but half a day should do justice to one of them.

For those not so drawn to Madrid's art heritage, there are other cultural highlights nearby. Walking westward from Atocha and the Queen Sofia towards the gorgeous Calle Valencia will uncover some of the city's best loved theatres, including the Circo Price and the Valle-Inclan. Continuing in roughly the same direction will eventually lead keen theatre enthusiasts to one of Europe's premier venues: the Royal Theatre. Within walking distance from Atocha in other directions are a countless array of places to suit any taste, including the National Museum of Anthropology or the Pantheon of Illustrious Men for history buffs, the fascinating Madrid Planetarium for those with a scientific bent or the natural beauty encased in the Royal Botanical Garden and the massive Retiro Park, both offering some respite from city life just a skip from the busy station.

After knowing what to see in Madrid Atocha railway station , you can take a look at our best hotels near Atocha Station.