The Spanish capital is best known for being a major centre of European culture, art, music and dance. It’s also a hugely energetic city full of vibrancy and welcomes business travellers and entrepreneurs as well as tourists.
As the custodian of Spain’s rich and varied heritage, Madrid is the ideal location for a cultural crawl. Fly to Madrid and immerse yourself in the Spanish capital’s art, architecture, music, and most importantly, cuisine.
You can’t beat Madrid for green open spaces either, and the affordable and clean Metro system will get you to anywhere you need to be in next to no time. In this city, you can enjoy some of Europe’s most impressive museums, galleries, parks and royal palaces.
Book a flight ticket to Madrid with Qatar Airways and immerse yourself in a trove of Spanish cultural treasures.
Flying from Maldives
The islands of the Maldives are one of the world’s most popular luxury destinations. As befits such a reputation, the entry and exit point for the islands is just as luxurious as its resorts.
Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (also known as Malé International Airport) puts the emphasis very much on the passenger experience from the moment you walk through the terminal doors.
Surrounded by brilliant blue water and clear skies, this has to be one of the most beautiful settings for an airport, and passengers flying from the Maldives with Qatar Airways will have a lasting memory of this tropical paradise as they take off.
Parking and transportation
Unlike many other airports, the most common form of transport between the airport and the main city of Malé is by speedboat.
Local water taxis (known as dhonis) also transport passengers. As the airport is located on its own island with no land-based connections to the capital, there are no car parking facilities.
Seaplane connections transfer passengers from the outlying islands and resorts to the airport.
Arriving at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport
Passengers flying from the Maldives with Qatar Airways will depart from the International terminal.
The airport is relatively small in comparison to many other international air travel hubs, so finding your way around should be quite easy. A lounge area is available for passengers to relax in while they wait for their flights.
Facilities and amenities
Ibrahim Nasir International Airport has good facilities for such a proportionally small location, including a range of retail outlets selling local goods (great for those last-minute souvenirs) as well as luxury accessories, perfume and jewellery.
Free Internet kiosks are located at the Duty Free area and at Departure Gates 1,2 and 3, and a prayer room is also available. There are two mosques five minutes’ walk from the airport.
Arriving in Madrid
The Spanish capital is best known for being a major centre of European culture, art, music and dance. It’s also a hugely energetic city full of vibrancy and welcomes business travellers and entrepreneurs as well as tourists.
Book a flight to Madrid with Qatar Airways and you’ll discover a wealth of cultural attractions including some of the finest museums in the country, and art collections of international importance. This city really comes alive in the evening, and has a strong café culture that runs late into the night.
Tourist attractions
At the very heart of the city is Puerta del Sol, a piazza that is the hub of all Madrid’s transport and the venue for the many festivals that bring this city alive all year round. In the centre of the square is the statue of King Charles III on horseback, and the surrounding buildings are superb examples of a range of architecture drawing on Moorish, Renaissance and Gothic influences.
The Palacio Real or Royal Palace is huge, and although it is the official residence of the King of Spain, it is only really used for ceremonial duties. A tour of the palace will take you through hundreds of years of Spanish history in a series of galleries, exhibits and collections of armour, jewellery and ceramics. Be prepared for a long day’s sightseeing, but the effort is certainly worth it and gives you a greater understanding of Spanish culture.
The ‘Museum Triangle’ is Madrid’s museum district, and home to some of the most important galleries and museums in Europe, including Museo del Prado, Reina Sofía National Museum and Art Center, and the Naval Museum. Other museums around the city that are well worth a visit include the American Museum (Museo de América), the Museo de Historia de Madrid and the National Archaeology Museum.
Travel Considerations
Flights to Madrid with Qatar Airways land at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, one of the largest airports in Europe. Visa restrictions for entry into the country will depend on your country of origin, length of stay and whether your trip is for business or pleasure. Before you fly to Madrid please check the visa and passport requirements.
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