Atocha Train Station (Puerta de Atocha)

Designed by the architect responsible for Madrid’s Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace), Atocha Train Station is visually arresting both inside and out. Regardless of your travel plans, stop by for a spot of people watching after strolling through the nearby Retiro Park or pass through on a city tour. Given the station’s noteworthy facade and central location, most Madrid sightseeing tours—whether by bike, buggy, pedicab, or even beer/ sangria bike—pass by. Naturally, you can also use Atocha Train Station as a starting point for further exploration of Spain. Trains bound for Seville, Barcelona, Córdoba, Málaga, and Valencia depart frequently.

• Don’t worry about the language barrier, as much of the signage is in both English and Spanish.

• There are several on-site restaurants and bars, as well as a luggage consignment.

• Commuter, intercity, regional, and intracity trains run by both Renfe and Cercanías depart the Atocha Train Station daily.

• Puerta de Atocha is the largest train station in Spain, so expect it to be busy throughout the day.

• Be sure to stop and enjoy the Tropical Garden, which is home to over 260 species from several continents.

• Atocha Train Station is fully wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Atocha Train Station is located close to Retiro Park, in Madrid’s Atocha neighborhood. Numerous public buses as well as almost all Cercanías commuter trains connect Puerta de Atocha with wider Madrid. Meanwhile, only Line 1 of the Madrid Metro connects to Atocha Train Station, but you can also access the station by taxi or on a city sightseeing tour.

Puerta de Atocha is open from 5am to 1am daily, with inter and intracity services running throughout the day. Opening hours may vary for baggage consignment, bars, and restaurants within the station. If you’re traveling from Atocha Train Station, arrive ahead of time in order to appreciate the station at leisure. Meanwhile, if you’re simply stopping by to admire the architecture, avoid the hectic rush hour periods.

Atocha Train Station is situated a stone’s throw from Madrid’s popular Parque del Buen Retiro and you can easily combine a visit to both. After admiring the station, make a beeline for Retiro Park’s Palacio de Cristal, which was designed by the same architect, taking time to admire the Madrid Royal Observatory and Fallen Angel Fountain en route.