Nos Fuimos a Madrid!
Continuing on this Spain "tour" I might as well post about the most known city in Spain... Madrid! I have been to Madrid a couple of times and it is always nice to take a walking tour and see all of its beautiful monuments. Personally, for me the best way to see Madrid is walking, now it is not a short walk, keep in mind you would walk for hours, but stop in between the monuments. I feel this is the best way to truly experience the city!Food: Jamon, Jamon, y mas Jamon!!! Iberian Ham is VERY good in Madrid! There are many tapas bars as there are everywhere in Spain, unfortunately as I was traveling on a budget my boyfriend and I stuck to more student friendly prices. I recommend as I previously mentioned on my "Sevilla" post, "Los 100 Montaditos" is where we went to! We had typical montaditos with a nice tinto de verano!
Lastly, I know Thai Food is not the first thing that pops into your mind when going to Spain, but I had some really really really good, authentic Thai food; "The Orchid, Original Thai Cuisine" Again, not the first thing that comes into your mind when in Spain, but just a thought in case you are tired of taps and montaditos!
Places to see/go:
- I recommend "La Gran Via" as a starting point, it is a huge shopping street with many Spanish inditex brands, as well as a huge Primark whether you had shopping in mind or not, once you step foot in that Primark I guarantee you come out with something in your hands! You can also find Zara, Bershka, Pull and Bear, Pimkie, and many other stores with many many floors of Spanish fashion. Whether you were going shopping or not, I recommend this street as there are many many restaurants fit for any taste, as well as cafes, ice cream shops, etc.
- Parque Buen Retiro: This is a very big nice park where you can go on a romantic date and row in its fountain, there is also a glass palace, you can go for a nice stroll at the park and just relax.
- Puerta de Alcala: This is a big monument in Madrid, it is a big arc right next to Retiro Park, so if you go to the park you can stop by and take a picture by the arc.
- Civeles: This is another monument in Madrid, it is beautiful where the "ayuntamiento" or town hall is located, it is right down the street from Puerta de Alcala, so if you are near stop by there too!
- Puerta del Sol: Remember how I told you Gran Via is a great starting point? Well if you go to the three last monuments/ park they are in one direction, going from Gran Via to Puerta del Sol is another direction where you will see will lead to other monuments. Anyway, Puerta del Sol is a nice plaza, they have a really good gelateria, and "Kilometro Zero" which is a plaque on the floor (you will see a lot of people taking pictures of their feet, go there) it is where all the roads in Spain started from, basically the very very very center of Spain (just a little fun fact)!
- Plaza Mayor: If you keep going down "Calle Mayor" street you will eventually end up next to Plaza Mayor, this is a huge plaza in Madrid where you have many restaurants and some markets once in a while! Note: you have to go from "calle mayor" into a little alley, but just ask around or you will see a sign don't worry!
- Mercado de San Miguel: This is also on Calle Mayor, it is right next to Plaza Mayor, it is a local market where you find various food stands, anywhere from hams, to nuts, and wines! It is quite pricey, but worth the visit, even to just stop by and look around.
- Palacio Real: Keep going down Calle Mayor at some point you will turn to Calle de Bailen and the Royal Palace is there! When you turn there will be a huge cathedral on the corner also worth a visit!
* Note the Park=> Puerta de Alcala => and Civeles =>Gran Via are all in one direction, preferably in that order, then it continues to Gran Via=> Plaza del Sol => Plaza Mayor => San Miguel Market => Cathedral => Royal Palace
If you start from the park and walk all the way to the Royal palace then yes, it is very long and one would say not at a walking distance, but if you stop at each of the points of interest mentioned then you will get the most out of it! Not recommended for families with small children or someone who cannot walk for long distances, there is a hop on hop off bus going around too!
Other places of interest are of coarse the football stadiums, the malls, and many plays and museums Madrid has to offer. Now this isn't all there is to do in Madrid I'm sure, but it is what I have done. I hope this is helpful to anyone planing to visit the city anytime soon.
If you have any questions message me
Instagram: @aanaag or Email: ana.guerra008@gmail.com
XOXO
- Ana
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