¡Hola Madrid!

Day 3

El  Oso y el Madroño

We arrived at Estación Madrid Chamartín 10:30 AM and by 11:30, we were already off to a free walking tour offered by our hostel, the Living Roof. The three hour walking tour started at Puerta del Sol, where we were introduced to the El Oso y el Madroño (Bear and the Madroño Tree) statue, the symbol of Madrid. It embodies the Madrileños lifestyle… they love to drink all the time.

Then we headed towards Plaza de Isabel II where you can find the Teatro Real (Royal Theatre). Our tour continued to Palacio Real (The Royal Palace) where our tour guide offered us a brief history of Madrid. The Royal Palace used to be a royal fortress, which was restored when it was under the Habsburgs.  And when Philip V (from France) came into the Spanish throne, he redecorated the palace to the French taste. Because the Palace is to be the grandest place in the vicinity, the Catedral de la Almudena , a Catholic cathedral facing the gates of the Palace is as simple as it could be.

Teatro Real

Palacio Real

Catedral de la Almudena

Plaza Mayor

Then, we passed by Calle de Madrid, which is ironically the smallest street of Madrid. Around this area is where the wealthy used to live. And finally, just a few meters away from Puerta del Sol where our tour ended, was Plaza Mayor. This square was where they used to hold bullfights, executions and markets. Today, it is surrounded with restaurants and bustling with tourists and pickpockets.

We wanted to check out the Sunday market, El Rastro, but it was already closed when we got there. We decided to continue walking to Museo Reina Sofia but found out it was also closed for the day. Since the Atocha station was just right across the museum, we took the opportunity to reserve our tickets for Barcelona.  With the intention of resting at El Retiro Park, our indolence to consult a map led us to Museo Nacional Del Prado instead. And just our luck, Museo del Prado was free on Sunday afternoons. Museo del Prado is Madrid’s biggest museum and home to many of Francisco de Goya and Diego Velázquez’s paintings.

Museo Nacional Del Prado

On our way back to the hostel, we had some paella from Mercado de San Miguel. It’s an indoor market with a lot of really good food (jamon!) We tried to finish our entire day of walking by walking back to our hostel but we got lost and ended up taking the metro. At 10 PM, the streets of Madrid were just beginning to get crowded but our mind (and feet) was ready to say Buenas Noches.

Museo de Reina Sofia

Day 4

Our second day in Madrid was more laid back. We started our day by buying abanicos from Casa de Diego, which is located at Puerta del Sol. Then, we took the metro from Puerta del Sol to Museo de Reina Sofia. Because I’m a student, I got into the museum for free. Here, we viewed the famous Guernica of Picasso. Unlike the last two museums we’ve been to, the collections in Reina Sofia are of modern art.

Chocolate y Churros

In the afternoon, we simply went around Madrid and ate everything we could get our hands on. We ate churros at Chocolate Y Churros, located near Mercado de San Miguel. We tried the ham from Museo de Jamon. Then before we enjoyed a siesta, we had more paellas and croquetas.

Wanting to experience a real night life in Madrid, we stayed away from the touristy bars and went into a local bar inside our hostel. Since it was a Monday, there were hardly anyone in the area. Nevertheless, it didn’t stop us from trying their caña beer.

Drinking caña

The only thing from our must-do list that we weren't able to do was to watch a bullfight. We learned NOT to ask Madrileños about bullfighting. Most of the locals we encountered were against it. Still, I was satisfied with my experience in Madrid. I got to practice un pocito Español, although most of it was just saying ¿Dónde está...? And I was surprised to find myself actually understanding the directions that were given to me... in Spanish! 


Well, my Madrid trip ends here. Eso es todo.