Madrid, Spain, An Unforgettable Adventure in Travel

As the plane landed in Madrid, Spain, butterflies fluttered about my stomach. The trip had been a long time coming — initially planned for 2020. Furthermore, we decided to do most things on our own for the first time while traveling Europe. For instance, we chose to stay in an Airbnb instead of a hotel, and we planned to explore the sights without the help of organized tours. But my research gave me confidence, and we were excited to hit the streets!

Accommodations – Stylish Flat above Plaza Mayor Airbnb

Except for a few moments of confusion upon arrival, our Airbnb, Stylish Flat Plaza Mayor Airbnb, was a lovely and centrally located place to call home for the week. However, I recommend getting specific walking directions from all taxi drop-off points if renting a flat in Plaza Mayor.

Our 3-bedroom, 2-bath apartment had a full kitchen, washer, and a beautiful living and dining area overlooking the Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s grand central square.

Hence, at the end of each night, we sat behind the open balcony windows and watched the sun go down while recapping our day with a nightcap.

Sights and Architecture

The sights and architecture go hand in hand in Madrid. When walking the historic streets, we found each building to be more beautiful than the next. I found myself taking pictures without even knowing the significance of many.

We strolled through the bustling public square of Puerto del Sol, past the Capital Building, known as the Carrion, which is 14 floors and houses the Capital Hotel and Cinema. The building is an icon of Gran Via Street, aka Spanish Broadway. Accordingly, Gran Via, lined with shops, hotels, and theaters, is a stunning strip of architectural magic.

We ventured past the gated Army Headquarters and its incredible grounds, then walked around Plaza de Cibeles. We gazed in awe at the magnificent Palacio de Cibeles, a cultural venue and home to Madrid’s city council, which looks like something straight out of Disney World.

Finally, we stumbled upon the Royal Palace in all its glory. While the Spanish Royals do not live in the palace, it is used for state ceremonies and is an exquisite sight. And if you wish to tour the palace, I recommend purchasing tickets to avoid lines.

Arts, Parks, and Culture

The Prado Museum is a must-stop as it has an enormous collection of Spanish paintings and other European masterpieces. The museum is quite proud of the works by Francisco Goya, a Spanish native. Over time, Goya transformed to a darker side, reflected in his later pieces, such as Saturn Devouring His Son.

We also looked at great paintings by Velazquez and Bosch. Additionally, the sculpture of Isabel II, veiled by Torreggiani, stood out as a sensational play on the eyes. You can spend hours in the Prado or form a list of what you’d like to see and pop in and out. The ticket line can be long, so purchasing ahead is a good idea.

Take advantage of a Flamenco show while visiting Madrid, as it is a special kind of entertainment and unique to Spain. I chose Corral de la Moreria because of its remarkable reputation. Moreover, the restaurant is the only Michelin star with Flamenco in the world.
Dinner consisted of a tasting menu of Avocado and Cilantro Gazpacho, Scallop Carpaccio with Tomato Tartare, Wild Sea Bass, and your choice of Roast Rack of Lamb or Pigeon in two cooking styles — we got both and shared. Pigeon, although not the meatiest, is quite delicious — who knew? Finally, we split the Green Apple Souffle and the Caramelised French Toast with Banana Ice Cream.

The show was dramatic and energetic, and their passion moved me. The night is going down as one of my most memorable to date.

El Retiro Park is a luxurious place to walk, run, bike, sit, and read. The park is a green oasis with a large lake for kayaking, rowing, and soaking up the sun. Colossal monuments throughout the park and Madrid commemorate inspirational and historical events.

The Crystal Palace, a conservatory made almost entirely of glass used for art exhibitions, sits inside, among the trees, as if quietly listening to nature.

Restaurants and Cafes

One of the best parts of being in Europe is the sidewalk cafes. I don’t know an American who doesn’t love the concept, yet it doesn’t seem to fly in the States. Another fun custom of restaurants in Spain is complimentary appetizers at every stop. You could seriously make a meal from some of the food on the table. They gave us everything from chicken fingers, olives, bread, cheeses, bruschetta, croquettes and chips. Even so, it never stopped us from ordering off the menu.

I loved eating and drinking in Madrid, and here are some of my recommended spots to imbibe.

14 Bar Tineo, located in Plaza Mayor, is an excellent place to eat Jamon sandwiches and ham and cheese croquettes while people-watching in the square, the heart of Madrid.

De la Rincon Cava Meson, a street-side cafe on a slant, was a delightful place to nibble on lamb chops and indulge with a bottle of Vatravieso Ribera Del Duero.

La Espanola is a fabulous stop for Paella near the Gran Via Madrid Metro. The street is pedestrian-only and lined with cafes serving up Spanish cuisine.

Mercado de San Miguel is a must-stop for grazing or just enjoying the aromas of the local delicacies. So, grab a glass of wine or maybe an Aperol-Spritz at the Aperol-Spritz bar inside.

La Merecida is a lovely little setting for a mid-day espresso and croissant. Although they only serve croissants and cinnamon rolls — the flaky, buttery pastries are divine.

Restaurante Dixie was our go-to every morning for cappuccino and americano. The cafe has everything from coffee to beer to Paella. And the staff was always smiling and having a good time – I will fondly remember Dixie.

La Gloria is a very convenient breakfast option if you have time before taking the train from the Atocha Station. It is perfect for coffee and a quick, tasty bite across the street.

Restaurante Hegar, Cafe de Oriente, and Odin are a few more welcoming cafes that were fantastic breaks from sightseeing for a glass of wine and charcuterie.

I must also mention the Madrid & Darracott wine shop because we made a final stop there each night before turning in. The bottle shop does tastings and has a beautiful selection of Spanish wines for purchase.

Last but certainly not least, Botin Restaurant. Dining at Botin, the oldest restaurant in the world in continuous operation, is an experience of a lifetime. The flame in the oven has continued burning since 1725. The restaurant has four floors, each maintaining brick walls and a traditional tavern feel with a soft lighting ambiance. Moreover, I also had the pleasure of touring the old wine cellar in the basement, where hundreds of dusty bottles of Spanish vintages enveloped me.

We began our dinner with a bottle of 2017 Conde De La Salceda and roasted peppers with belly. And for our entrees, Suckling Pig, Filet, and Rack of Lamb. As if all that and the delicious bread weren’t enough, we ordered cheesecake, carrot cake, and creme brulee for dessert.

Upon leaving, I gave our waiter a hand motion to my heart, and he gave it back with a gracious smile that I will never forget.

Side Trips

Toledo

There are some incredible side trips from Madrid; I highly recommend Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Toledo is a medieval town with a diverse past with Christian, Muslim, and Jewish influences that have coexisted for centuries.

We took the high-speed train from the Atocha Station. Although walkable from Plaza Mayor, it was dark when we left, so we took a taxi. Everything is walkable from the station in Toledo, so once you exit the train, start trekking — uphill — the whole day. Honestly, the walk is exhilarating.

Immediately crossing into town, we could see the Alcazar of Toledo staring down upon us like little ants — the building sits at the highest point in Toledo. The Alcazar dug from the same rock it stands upon, was a fortress that witnessed countless battles and is now home to the Army Museum.

We passed magnificent architecture as we walked up the steep cobblestone streets. It was moving to see the various places of worship neighboring one another, each as beautiful as the next. The Toledo Cathedral, in particular, is breathtaking. We walked in and appreciatively took in the great layout and design. Mass was in session, and we did not want to be disrespectful picture-taking tourists. So we roamed about the outside, admiring the beauty. You can, however, purchase tickets to tour more of the cathedral.

I was most excited about seeing the San Martin’s Bridge, built in the 14th century. The site is about an hour’s walk from our start, depending on how often you stop. The bridge is famous for the legend that the architect who built it became horrified at the inauguration, noticing his miscalculations, and firmly believed it would collapse. His wife, allegedly to save face, burned down the bridge at night, and ultimately the bridge was rebuilt correctly.

Tourists are now welcome to walk across the bridge to adore its work and dote on the Tagus River below it — where people can now zipline across!

If you think we didn’t stop in cafes along our route, think again. We had the best Tuna Belly Salad with Asadillo peppers experience at Taberna El Rus. Therefore, I will remember this dish for the rest of my life. We also stopped for a glass of wine at Recaredo Toledo and enjoyed its views of the town. A final drink was in order, so we popped into Bar Tierra World Food.

We didn’t feel the need to spend time in Plaza Zocodover for food or drink. While some Americans might want Burger King in Spain, we did not!

Finally, the shopping in Toledo was interesting, but mainly for people into medieval knight souvenirs like swords and armor — not that there’s anything wrong with that.

 

Segovia

Our next side trip was to Segovia, another medieval town full of history northwest of Madrid. You will want to taxi from Plaza Mayor to Chamartin Train Station. Upon arrival in Segovia, plan on taking a bus or a taxi to town — we learned that part was not walkable!

The main attraction for me was the Aqueduct of Segovia. The 2000-year-old Aqueduct is a mammoth structure with 160 arches that channeled water from mountain springs to the city for basic water usage. I don’t know if I ever felt so small; the spectacular vision of the Aqueduct took my breath away.

As we strolled the historic streets, I imagined how life must have been in this city during ancient times. We passed churches and monuments with majestic architecture. Ultimately, we ended up at the Torre de Juan II del Alcazar de Segovia — this is a site to see! The Alcazar de Segovia is a famous medieval castle that has been home to 22 kings.

The cafes in Segovia are bustling for food and drink; therefore, reservations are recommended.

Conclusion

Our adventures in Madrid and Spain will forever make me smile. I celebrate every mile walked – an average of 10 miles per day. And I love that we could eat and drink freely because of it. Further, I marvel at every landmark we saw — and hope the power of them never leaves my mind. Finally, I cherish that these memories and this trip’s impact on our lives can never be taken away.