Madrid Travel Highlights
It is very hard to believe that I have been in Spain for over a week now. I am having the time of my life here. Europe is incredibly beautiful, and each day I find myself falling more in love with this country. Flying to Spain was a very spontaneous and spur of the moment decision. In fact, I booked my flight three weeks before my departure. Yup. For an obsessive planner like me, that is absolute insanity. But I have wanted to travel to Europe for the longest time, and the stars just seemed to align for me in the best way.
I tried something new with this trip. Instead of planning meticulously and building an itinerary, I went in blind. No expectations. I set myself up to not be disappointed. Granted, I did get the important stuff in order like booking flights and accommodations and researching COVID-19 guidelines. But for sights to see and bites to eat, I just played it all by ear. Surprisingly, it worked out well for me. Here are all of the spaces that I wandered and explored in Madrid:
1. Parque del Retiro
El Retiro Park is a beautiful and large park in the heart of Madrid. The park is home to a large artificial lake, the Crystal Palace, and several museums. On my first day in Madrid, my friend and I walked around the park for several hours. It reminds me a lot of Balboa Park in San Diego, but much larger. You can view a variety of exhibitions in the museum for free on select days and hours. The art in these museums are um… interesting. Think LACMA kind of vibes. However, the park also holds a lot of grand statues and historic monuments of political figures from Spain. I definitely enjoyed seeing the mixture of modern and baroque/romantic art throughout the park.
2. San Miguel Market
San Miguel Market is a food hall with a variety of different stalls that sells all types of food. I got freshly squeezed mango and orange juice at one of the stalls, and it was super refreshing. As you know, I have a deep, deep love for empanadas. They have a variety of different flavors to choose from and different styles in which the empanadas are prepared (baked or fried). I figured I’d lean into the healthier side by getting the baked empanadas. I got two types — spinach and cheese and Thai chicken. They were so good! I highly recommend visiting the empanada stall if you ever find yourself at this market.
3. Palacio Real de Madrid
If only I was a princess… This is the place that little girls dream of living in. After 4pm on Monday-Thursday, admission to the Royal Palace of Madrid is free. The inside of the palace is absolutely incredible. No pictures can do this place justice. Every inch of the palace is decorated so carefully and beautifully. From the grand glass chandeliers to the vibrant velvet walls, there is not a singular space in the palace that didn’t leave me completely speechless. I also loved the strong Catholic theme that is present in the architecture and works of art. It is truly a remarkable piece of work.
4. Teatro de Barcelo
To celebrate a friend’s birthday, I went to the Teatro de Barcelo with a group of girls on a Friday night. This space is a theater by day and a club by night. I’m not much of a clubbing or drinking type of girl, but I definitely had fun. In Madrid, the streets are lively at all hours of the day. Plenty of people are out on the streets at night eating at restaurants, going to bars, or walking to the club. My first Spanish clubbing experience was thrilling. It turned into a concert in the middle of the evening! We got to watch several famous reggaeton artists perform live. I didn’t know any of the artists or the music, but I later learned that Abraham Mateo was one of the artists that sang at the club. Apparently, he’s a pretty big deal. Clubbing in Spain was definitely a unique and fun experience for me.
5. Catedral de la Almudena
As you probably know by now, I have a thing for Catholic architecture. If I could visit every church in Spain, I would. Church hopping is my jam when I’m in a different country. What makes Spain so special is the fact that the Catholic influence is so prevalent in this country. At almost every corner, there is a Catholic church you can walk to. I like to visit the chapel of each parish and spend a little time with Jesus whenever I can. I found myself exploring and admiring the Cathedral of Almudena for a long time. The chapel of this church is definitely a highlight. It’s covered in gold tiles that shine and illuminate the tabernacle. I could feel the Lord’s glowing presence in the room. It’s truly a sight to see.
I’m leaving for Portugal tomorrow, so there is still so much that I have left to share. Stay tuned for updates on my European adventure! Make sure to subscribe to my mailing list for more of my life reflections! You can find more life-related posts here.
Emily
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