Out of all of the cities that we visited during our travels through Spain last summer, Madrid was by far and away my favorite. With my photos of the picturesque El Retiro, you got a glimpse into Madrid’s more natural beauty, but the city that surrounds the beautiful park is just as interesting!
As an American, Madrid certainly feels much like other European cities – as if you’ve taken a step into the Old World-past. One of my favorite things to do was to wander the cobbled streets, lined with storefronts and apartments with flower-decorated balconies and clotheslines. However, Madrid was absolutely full of life. Unlike Barcelona, a city I enjoyed far less, Madrid actually feels full of people who actually live there. Which seems silly to say, but it’s true! The people next to us when we got our cafe con leche and churros in the morning (and jamon… and zumo de naranja…) were typically from down the street, and not across the globe. Don’t get me wrong – I LOVE to meet other travelers when traveling myself, but sometimes it’s really wonderful to experience things as a local.
If you hit up Madrid, along with the other site seeing attractions, you MUST go to some of the indoor markets around town. They have stall after stall of various food venders selling their products. Some of the “fancier” markets have made a break from tradition and house small bars and restaurants where you can pick up tapas, pinxtos, and drinks. The largest, busiest, and most touristic of these is Mercado de San Miguel – but the hustle and bustle is well worth a visit! I could have stayed for hours drinking at La Hora del Vermut and eating the day away if Chris didn’t make me leave (eventually)!
Another one of our favorites was Platea, formerly the Carlos III cinema in Plaza Colon (below). This was definitely the most upscale mercado we visisted (it’s run by three Michelin chefs)! For something a little more laid back, we loved Mercado de San Fernando in the hip neighborhood, Lavapies, where our Airbnb was located. I am bummed I don’t have any pictures of this last one. Oh well, an excuse to go back!
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