We landed in the capital of Spain in the afternoon of April 2nd and were shocked to find it colder than back home in the UK (soon realising that Brits' assumptions of Spain being a land of blazing sun are not always true). But we didn't let the cold breeze hold our moods back; after all, we were so happy and excited to be leaving our country via plane after two years in lockdown.
El Retiro Park Buzzing with life yet exceptionally relaxed, El Retiro Park was probably my favourite spot in the city. Holding over 15,000 trees within 1.4 square kilometres, the park is a green oasis amid the bustle of the Spanish capital. One could, and we did, spend hours strolling around the labyrinth of paths that connect the various gardens, mesmerising sculptors, and fountains.
El Retiro is home to beautiful Spanish architecture, including the Glass Palace and Velazquez Palace. Made with glass plates and cast-iron and decorated with colourful ceramic tiles, Glass Palace is one of the most elegant buildings I have ever seen. With a conservatory / greenhouse style, the palace was originally built in 1887 to showcase flora and fauna. It is now owned by the Reina Sofia Museum and is used as a venue to host temporary art exhibitions.
The park boasts a large artificial lake where you can rent rowing boats. The lake is backed by the impressive Monumento a Alfonso XII, an observation deck where you can watch the rowers and strollers go by. The park is certainly not short of cafes and kiosks where you can sit back and enjoy a cold drink, a coffee, ice cream, a alcoholic beverage, or a full meal. Alternatively, there are plenty of spots to enjoy a picnic around the park; grab a bench in the sun or a patch of grass shaded by a canopy of trees.
The relaxed atmosphere in El Retiro is complete by various, incredibly talented busker: trumpeters, cello players, a band of men, guitarists, and, perhaps the most impressive of them all, a man playing a mellowing tune by running his fingers around the rims of glass jars. Needless to say, the park is a cultural hub in the city.
Madrid has a huge runners community, mostly found in El Retiro. In the fine spring weather, you can be sure to encounter a runner at any time of day at Retiro. To avoid weaving between crowds of tourists and locals, I went for a run at Retiro early in the morning. As the sun rose over Alfonso XII, the park, quietly busy with dog walkers, city workers, and runners, was at its most tranquil.
San Migel Food Market
With cafes, bars, and restaurants on every corner, we certainly weren't under fuelled in Madrid. You could say we ate and drank our way through the city. At the heart of Madrid's mouth-watering food scene is San Migel Food Market, situated in the city of the city just a few steps away from Plaza Mayor. Originally built in 1916, the bronze iron structure was renovated and reopened in 2009 as the modern, wholesale gastronomic market it is today. Thirty stands of gourmet food make up the market's flock. Run by internationally renowned chefs, every stall is commitment to high quality produce and scrumptious taste.
From the finest Iberian ham and chorizo to fresh fish from the Galicia coast, sangria, sweet treats and fresh fruit, the market brings together tastes from very corner of Spanish cuisine. Thankfully, portion sizes are kept small so you can enjoy the wide range of goods that the various stalls have to offer.
Aside from being a foodie fest, the market is a place that attracts visitors of countless nationalities. As we strolled around and stood at the outskirts of the market hall with a drink in hand, we heard accents and languages from all around the globe.
Other must see attractions in Madrid include but are not limited to:
Plaza Mayor – Madrid's grand central square, lined by restaurant terraces and historic shops, and bustling with street musicians and artists.
The Royal Palace of Madrid – home to the Kings of Spain, and still the official residence of the Spanish royal family, the palace is open to the public as it is not their family home. The impressive white-washed building, comprised of over 3000 rooms, is built around a grand courtyard, coupled with metallic gates and great views over the west edge of the city.
Gran Via – Madrid's main high street lined by designer and high street stores, bars, restaurants, theatres, and some of Madrid's most iconic buildings. Gran Via holds a reputation of being the Spanish Broadway.
Puerto Del Sol – sadly under construction during our visit, however, I am told that Puerto Del Sol is a must-see site in Madrid. Known as the home of some of the most famous Spanish artefacts, including the clock of Puerto Del Sol, Kilometre Zero stone slab, and El Oso y El Madroño, and the hot spot of Madrid's street shows and artists.
Rooftop bars – offering some of the best views of the city, roof top bars are a big hit in the Spanish capital. They are the place to gage the immensity Madrid. We enjoyed a few gins and cervezas at Azotea Circle Belles Art and Terraza Cibeles, which are above two of Madrid's prestigious art galleries, assuring us that we were being cultural by at least being in the premises.
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