Madrid was such an unexpected delight. Arriving early on Thursday morning, we had a smooth trip from the airport to our hostal in Puerta del Sol. Like many other cities (bar Melbourne!) access to the city centre was fast and efficient on the public transport system – the Madrid Metro, 5EUR and 30 min later we were there.

Architecture in Madrid reminded me of inner city Paris. Delightful multi story apartment buildings with quaint balconies, many adorned with blooming flowers adding colour and romance to the building facade. Cobblestone streets running in all directions, hiding neighbourhood churches in which I found magnificent stained glass windows and artwork. Tiendas (shops) featuring colourful sculptures and signs, and in their windows-the most exquisite goodies from rows of jamons, delicate pastries, mind boggling tapas (there are other shops as well but I tend to focus on the food!).

As a city Madrid doesn’t come to life until about 9.30am. Finding breakfast before then is almost impossible! But once it starts the people play until the early hours of the morning. This morning, leaving our hostal around 8am, we saw a group of party revellers still revelling from their Friday night out!

The highlights of Madrid for me were (in no real order):

The Prado Art Museum – those who know me well know I am not particularly ‘arty’. However, standing in front of a Rubens or a Goya Masterpiece – it’s a pinch yourself moment. Had a similar experience at the Musee D’Orsay in Paris.

The Picasso exhibition featuring La Guernica at the Museo Nacional de Arte Reina Sofia – Ok I have to confess I really don’t get Picasso’s work. But standing in front of one of the most significant paintings in the history of art (La Guernica) was pretty awesome. It was an interesting and disturbing work (lol – listen to me I sound like an art aficionado!). Glad I saw it in my lifetime.

Breakfast – standing at the counter in the Museo del Jamón and having black coffee, a bocadillo con jamón and fresh oj for only 2.8EUR I felt like a local.

The Royal Palace of Madrid – like wow. Spanish royalty certainly knew how to decorate a room! The ceilings alone were amazing. One room had a ceiling which featured a 3D garden scene. Another room was floor to ceiling (including walls) made of porcelain. Colours were astonishing. Opulent and grand. 

Eating tapas and drinking sangria at El Mercado de San Miguel. Definitely not a local haunt but it’s fun to meet tourists as well! Any tapas your taste buds desire (and some you can’t even imagine!) can be found here. Met a couple from Israel – have never met Israeli tourists before! And some Aussies, of course. Great atmosphere here. Returned a few times. 😉

Discovering local tapas joints and tasting the local wines. Finding a window seat and unabashedly engaging in some people watching. Noticed Madrileans love their dogs. Thinking I could live here.

People and personality watching in La Puerta del Sol.

Gleefully realising I actually have to come back here because 3 days is just not enough time to work my way through all the tapas. Oh and the shopping. And the day trip to Toledo… 😃