Explore Madrid with Saul Schwartz as he discovers what makes Spain’s capital special in October. From fascinating walking tours to iconic museums, here’s a comprehensive guide to Madrid’s top attractions, ensuring you don’t miss a thing.
—
Discovering Madrid by Foot:
When my wife and I visit a new city, we always kick off with a walking tour to get our bearings. In Madrid, we joined a ‘free tour by tip’ with Guru Walk, led by our guide, Melissa. Starting at Puerta Del Sol square, one of Madrid’s busiest hubs, we learned that it marks kilometre 0 of Spain’s radial roads. We even took a good luck photo at the stone slab there.
The square boasts several landmarks, including a statue of a bear nuzzling a strawberry tree, the city’s symbol, and a statue of King Charles III on horseback. Melissa explained how King Charles III, celebrated for his progressive reforms, is affectionately remembered as Madrid’s best mayor.
From there, we strolled to Plaza de la Villa, featuring buildings from the 15th to the 17th century, and admired the Admiral de Bazan statue. We also passed by Sobrino de Botin, the world’s oldest restaurant since 1725, identified by a plaque from the Guinness Book of Records.
Touring the Royal Palace:
In the afternoon, we visited the Royal Palace of Madrid with skip-the-line tickets from Viator, which saved us a lot of waiting time. Our expert guide, Benito, enriched the experience with detailed insights about Spain’s royal family. The palace, dating back to 1738, is grand with 3,478 rooms and a stunning mix of Baroque and Neo-classical designs.
Exploring the Prado Museum:
On our second day, we went to the Prado Museum, navigating its vast European art collection with our guide, Laura. She shared fascinating stories behind masterpieces like Bosch’s ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights,’ Goya’s ‘The Clothed Maja’ and ‘The Naked Maja,’ and Velazquez’s ‘Las Meninas.’
Delving into Contemporary Art:
We also visited other significant art museums, like the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, which offers a strong Impressionist collection, and the Reina Sofia Museum, home to works by Miro, Dali, and Picasso, including the famous ‘Guernica.’
Relaxing in El Retiro Park:
A tour of El Retiro Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, provided a peaceful escape from the bustling city. Our guide, Ishmael, shared the park’s history, leading us to iconic spots like the Crystal Palace and interesting monuments such as the Fallen Angel.
Experiencing Flamenco:
In the evening, we enjoyed a vibrant flamenco performance at a renowned venue in the city center. The passionate dance, colorful costumes, and live guitar music added an authentic cultural touch to our visit.
Other Highlights:
We even spotted several ’stumbling stones’ commemorating victims of Nazi camps before visiting the historic Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha, filled with beautiful stained glass windows.
Dining in Madrid:
For food, we savored various local treats. Some favorites included La Hummuseria for tasty hummus, San Miguel Market for gourmet food, and Faborit for great salads.
Where We Stayed:
Our stay at the Doubletree Madrid – Prado was comfortable, with excellent amenities and a prime location allowing us to walk to major attractions.
Getting Around:
From the airport, we initially took the airport express bus, but found a taxi more convenient for the return trip due to its comfort and speed.
Final Thoughts:
Five days in Madrid and one in Toledo offered us ample time to explore the main sights and appreciate the historical and cultural richness of both cities. Stay tuned for our next adventure in Toledo!
—
Saul Schwartz lives in Alexandria, Virginia, and enjoys exploring European cities with his wife, blending local interactions with historical and cultural learning. Check out his previous travels to Lisbon, Athens, and the Vatican for more insights.
suansuan