Drizzle and Dip Highlights of my three days in Madrid

November 2, 2023

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Madrid is the capital of Spain and a metropolis crammed with artwork, tradition and naturally mouthwatering meals. It’s additionally among the finest locations to buy within the nation and I like it. Every neighbourhood has its personal particular character and it’s price exploring just a few of them.

We landed in Madrid at round 4.30 am so needed to wait on the airport till 7 am earlier than taking a taxi into the town to drop our luggage at our lodging. It poured with rain for many of the day creating just a few challenges and stresses. We coated numerous floor and did one of many routes on the crimson bus in addition to visited the superb Reina Sofía.

On this journey we determined to deal with staying in very central places, smack in the midst of all of the motion. It’s enjoyable to exit within the night and never must journey on public transport to get dwelling late at evening. Late nights are the order of the day in Spain. You usually compromise on value or measurement on this occasion, however you will discover just a few wins.

There are such a lot of superb museums in Madrid that it was arduous to select solely two to go to. As followers of contemporary artwork, we narrowed it all the way down to the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.

The Reina Sofía has 20,000 artworks and is a must-visit in Madrid’s Artwork Triangle. It homes works by Spanish and overseas artists, together with Picasso’s ‘Guernica.’ Simply spectacular!

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum housed in an early-Nineteenth-century palace shows Baron Hans-Heinrich’s non-public assortment of 775 work.

These embody Rembrandt, Degas, Manet, Cezanne, Derain, Van Gogh, Rothko, Klee, Picasso, Hopper, Dali, Lichtenstein, Bacon and De Koonig.

It affords a complete journey by means of Western artwork historical past, and its short-term exhibitions are extremely acclaimed. Sadly, some sections had been closed after we had been there together with the 4^th ground which has views over the town.

El Retiro Park, formally named Parque del Buen Retiro, has gained prominence as Madrid’s most well-known park since its public opening in 1868. It’s huge and easily great to go to.

I believe it’s in all probability the nicest inner-city park I’ve ever been to, and you may stroll for miles. This was a spotlight for me regardless of very sore toes from strolling 15k – 20k steps a day. I cherished the Crystal Palace.

Purchase a sandwich and some pastries and have a picnic.

High Sights in El Retiro Park:

Estanque (Lake): A big synthetic lake the place guests can hire rowboats to discover or take a bigger boat experience. Positioned close to the Puerta de Alcalá entrance.
Monument to King Alfonso XII: A powerful monument on the lake’s edge, inaugurated in 1922. Typically a gathering place for musicians on Sundays.
Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace) was inbuilt 1887 close to a small synthetic lake, this palace hosts modern exhibitions and was initially used as a greenhouse.
Palacio de Velázquez (Velázquez Palace): An adjoining artwork gallery that includes short-term exhibitions, and it’s free to go to, making it a must-see for artwork fans.
Paseo de la Argentina (Statue Promenade): A broad promenade adorned with statues devoted to Spain’s monarchs, initially commissioned by Ferdinand VI to adorn the Royal Palace.

The Crystal Palace in El Retiro Park in Madrid, Spain

High tip. For a small value, prolong the Pink Bus journey to 2 days and use it as a mode of transportation. The crimson bus is at all times a good way to see a brand new metropolis in a brief area of time.

We didn’t use any public transport aside from 2 days of crimson bus and strolling.

For journeys to the station and from the airport we took taxis. They’re discovered in every single place and affordable. The journey from the airport is a flat price of 30 euros and it’s the easiest way to get into the town.

What to eat in Madrid

There may be solely a lot you may eat in three days in a metropolis the scale of Madrid, however after a lot analysis, we discovered just a few superb experiences & dishes I can extremely suggest.

Joselitos is legendary for Iberian ham. Regarded by many as the most effective jamón on the planet and thoroughly sourced from pigs raised on a weight loss program of home-grown acorns and expertly cured. I can extremely suggest doing a tasting from 3 totally different years. They’ve a terrific wine listing & their focaccia with burrata and jamón is pure heaven.

Paella at Restaurant St James is outstanding. They’ve 3 totally different restaurant places in Madrid that are fairly formal & conventional. We additionally ate easy dishes of anchovies and clams. You’ll find numerous seafood within the metropolis and it’s price looking for out.

Restaurant Samm comes extremely beneficial as a spot for genuine Valencian-style dishes & seafood (paella), however we didn’t have the time to get there.

Restaurante Botin is the oldest restaurant on the planet (1725) and they’re well-known for his or her suckling pig which is roasted in a wood-fired oven that has burned constantly for the final 300 years. It’s extremely busy and touristy however so superb to expertise this. The dish of suckling pig and new potatoes cooked merely with a little bit of salt was so scrumptious and memorable. E book prematurely to safe your spot or be ready to go late at evening on shorter discover.

You’ll find glorious bakeries throughout Madrid and I fell in love with La Mallorquina. They’ve a few places within the metropolis. Strive their custard Napolitanas or Palmeritas and ask for a takeaway ‘para llevar’ the place every is superbly wrapped in pink paper and string.

C. de la Cava Baja is a cool avenue with tapas bars, eating places, and vibrant buildings and it’s recognized for its vigorous vibe. Madrid is a late-night metropolis so issues solely get going after 8pm. We spent one evening bar hopping and tapas consuming and cherished it.

Churros with chocolate is a well-known Madrid pastry which is commonly eaten for breakfast. After balancing my glucose consumption during the last yr I’d by no means have the ability to do that and I one way or the other solely tried it in Barcelona for the primary time and was a little bit underwhelmed. It’s price looking for out the most effective.

Fried Calamari in a roll is one other conventional Madrid dish which one can find throughout.

I discovered the Mercato San Miguel fully touristy and underwhelming. Strive one of many lesser-known markets if you’re into that.