Madrid : A Journey Through the Heart Of Spain

Madrid is home to Spanish Royalty and magnificent architectural buildings. We warmed up to the capital as soon as we got into a taxi from the airport to our small apartment Minty Malasana.

The apartment is located on the mezzanine floor in a narrow lane in the heart of Madrid. At the end of the lane there are some pretty cafes and one of the best places for empanadas!

After a short briefing from Maria the staff at Minty Malasana, we headed out to explore Madrid. Our first stop, the fashionable street of Gran Via.

Gran Via

Referred to as the “Broadway of Madrid” the street showcases a mix of architectural styles, including Art Deco, Neo-Mudejar, and the early 20th century regionalist style. We were awed by the iconic landmark, Metropolis. The building is stunning and is an example of French-inspired architecture. Throughout our trip we hung out at the Gran Via at different times of the day and it was always buzzing. It is also a great street to do some shopping. You can probably find most of the famous brands as well as some great local boutiques and artisans. We were completely in awe!

On the Gran Via we discovered a chic vegetarian restaurant chain called ‘Honest Greens’ They serve a variety of dishes including salads, grain bowls, sandwiches with a focus on wholesome and nutritious ingredients. So great news for vegetarians as the Spanish eat a lot of Pork and vegetarian food can be hard to find!

Flamenco Show

It is a must watch when in Madrid. We watched the show at Tablaos Torres Barmejas. The Tablao is beautifully decorated with moroccan style walls and Andalusian architecture. It is also said to be one of the oldest Flamenco bars in Madrid. The performers were incredibly talented and the show was absolutely jaw dropping. We couldn’t take our eyes off the performers. You honestly have to watch it to believe it, but the dancers were so full of energy and grace that it was captivating. You can truly see how much they love what they do and how much effort they put into it. Sweat was literally flying off of them and onto the audience! The expressions were deep and intense. Loved the fact that the audience is seated so close to the performers that it makes the experience mesmerising.

We enjoyed a glass of Sangria but if you wish to have dinner also, they have that option too. We booked with GetyourGuide where all the options are available and you can pick one that suits you.

The Royal Palace (Palacio Real)

Well, I wish I was royalty! The Palacio Real is absolutely royal. It is the official residence of the Spanish Royal family. King Felipe VI, whom I had the privilege of seeing him on TV while watching Wimbledon is the son of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia. He is now the father of two daughters and is married to Letizia Ortiz, a TV news journalist.

The palace is a fabulous example of Neoclassical and Baroque architecture. The rooms of the palace are lavishly decorated with intricate stucco work, frescoes and ornate chandeliers. One of the most famous rooms is the ‘Hall Of Mirrors’ which is adorned with beautiful mirrors and crystal chandeliers.

The grand staircase is adorned with a grand marble balustrade and richly decorated ceilings. The palace also houses one of the most extensive collections of armoury in the world.

So if you are visiting Madrid do not miss seeing the palace. I was trying to imagine myself being a royal while having a wonderful time seeing another royal family’s home!

Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid

Tapas hopping and seafood is on everyone’s list when visiting Spain but this market is something special. The market offers such a lively and bustling atmosphere that it was hard to leave! The quality of the food is exceptional but on the expensive side. It was so delicious that we kept eating! The market opens early morning until late night making it a great place for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are lot of options in food that you can you can enjoy like fresh seafood, tapas, cheese, olives, Iberian ham, fresh juices, pretty desserts, gelato and much more. We had delicious empanadas, sushi and of course lots of Sangria! We ended our gastronomic experience with a gelato which was a bit disappointing which was fine as the Italians are not beatable. They truly make the world’s best gelato.

The visual appeal of the market with intricate tile work, decorative ironwork and a beautiful stained glass dome makes the whole experience worth experiencing. It is situated right next to the Plaza Mayor, one of Madrid’s most iconic squares making it very accessible. I am open to move to Madrid just so that I can eat here everyday!

El Retiro Park, Madrid

Any mumbaikars out there know that parks in our city are not the greatest. So parks like the one in Madrid that make you feel far from the urban city really excite us. When we got there we were shocked how a park in the middle of the city could make you feel a world away. 

The focal point of the park is a large artificial lake where you can paddle or rent row boats or just enjoy views from the shores while taking some pictures.

The vibes of the park were so relaxing as we strolled through its lush gardens, tree-lined avenues, fountains and meandering paths. It is a beautiful place to have picnics, jogging, yoga or exercise. We relaxed at one of the cafes sipping Horchata to beat the heat!

While wandering we came across a Crystal Palace which is made of glass and iron. It seems it is used for art exhibitions. The park is also dotted with numerous sculptures and monuments.

Tapas Crawl is the most popular thing to do in Madrid. While they’re a lot of streets that you can explore, we went to the Cava Baja. It is a very lively street with great tapas bars. The street has a sense of old world charm and a bustling night life. We hopped from one bar to another sampling lots of tapas dishes. We thoroughly enjoyed the music in the pubs and the atmosphere.

The sad part is after enjoying a wonderful evening I left my phone behind in a Uber cab and I never got it back so I am not able to share all the wonderful pictures.

Losing my phone was heart breaking but our 4 nights stay in Madrid was fabulous and relaxing.

We loved Madrid and would definitely go back!

My blog on Toledo : Unique Charms Of Toledo, A Fun Trip From Madrid

Hey Art Lovers! do not miss the EL Prado Museum