Home to top museums, fabulous shopping districts and some of the best nightlife options in Europe, Madrid is an exciting place for a city break or a longer holiday. If you're headed to Madrid, the apartments for rent on www.selfcateringhols.com might be just what you're looking for. All our Madrid apartments are centrally located and are available for flexible, short-term rental. Whether you're looking for an intimate flat on a quiet street or family-friendly lodging in the heart of Madrid, a great apartment is easy to find.

The Puerta del Sol is the heart of Madrid. An apartment in this area will put you in the thick of the action around the clock. By day, shops, street artists and countless cultural attractions draw crowds; by night, the abundance of bars, restaurants and clubs means that there's never a dull moment. Major sights around the Puerta del Sol include the Plaza Mayor, the Plaza Santa Ana, and the Palacio Real. Other attractions include: historic cave restaurants around the Plaza Mayor; quirky shops along Calle Preciados, Calle de Toledo or Calle de las Huertas; pulsating discotecas along Calle Arenal; and countless tapas bars scattered throughout this area of Madrid. Apartments in this quarter are ideal for those who want easy access to the major sights of the city.

North of the Puerta del Sol are the Chueca and Malasa?a districts, the funkiest and most fashionable areas of Madrid. Apartments here are ideal for those who want to see Madrid's most modern face. Malasa?a is packed with unique caf?s and bars and is known for being a diverse and laid-back area. Chueca is Madrid's gay quarter and is home to a lively and varied nightlife scene and some of the trendiest shops and restaurants in Madrid. Apartments in both Chueca and Malasa?a are well-connected to the rest of the city by metro and are a short walk from the Puerta del Sol.

North of Malasa?a and Chueca is the Chamber? district, a sophisticated area home to excellent restaurants, shops and entertainment options. Just off the beaten tourist track, this is one of the most refined districts in Madrid, and an apartment here gives you both a quiet atmosphere and easy access to the busy city centre. Several metro lines service this part of Madrid, so an apartment here puts you within 10 minutes of almost everything the city has to offer.

In the south of the city, within easy reach of the busy Atocha train station, is the lively Arganzuela district, one of the most diverse in Madrid. Apartments here are near major attractions like the Prado museum, the Centro de Arte Reina Sof?a, the Parque del Buen Retiro and the huge Rastro flea market. You'll also find oodles of tapas bars in this district.

Other popular districts in Madrid include Salamanca (where you'll find most of the city's designer shops), Chamart?n (the northern area of the city), and Jer?nimos (the area around the sprawling Parque del Buen Retiro). Apartments in all of these Madrile?o districts enjoy excellent public transportation and easy access to the city centre.

Photo courtesy of www.munimadrid.es