Madrid, Spain
Located in central Spain, lies the city of Madrid. In fact, it’s the capital of Spain. People from all over come to this place to visit, study, and party! Madrid has multiple historical sights and without a doubt, it’s a very lively scene. Wanderers lurk the streets in awe at the beautiful buildings, landscape, and scenery. All in all, if you decide to visit, you will not be disappointed.
8:00am was the time in Madrid when my flight landed. From the airport, we ordered a taxi to bring us to our hostel. As the driver maneuvered through the tiny streets, we were astonished by the sights we saw. Think New York City, but in Spain.
As soon as we got dropped off at the hostel, we began to plan the day… Since this was our first destination for backpacking around Europe, we were so anxious to explore that we didn’t mind running on two hours of sleep! Read more about our backpacking adventures here Top 5 Most Beautiful Cities in Northern Italy
The rest of the day was spent walking through the streets, going in and out of shops, and enjoying a sangria before calling it a day.
Naturally the next day, my friends and I woke up early to seek adventure. The itinerary was as follows…
Cats Hostel
Where to stay
If you are traveling with a group of friends, I highly suggest you stay at CATS hostel Madrid! This was our first hostel of the entire trip, and it really set the bar for the rest of our backpacking experience. Here, we met like minded travelers from various parts of the world and made lifelong memories. It’s extremely affordable and convenient for students and those looking for sociable encounters. You can check them out at CATS Hostel Madrid Sol
Plaza Mayor
Sight-seeing, Madrid
Starting off at Plaza Mayor, (one of the most famous landmarks in Spain) this plaza dates back to hundreds of years ago and was built with the purpose of hosting public events; back then executions were held here too. Now, it’s the location for the annual Christmas market and hosts other events such as soccer games and bullfights.
Cathedral de la Almudena
Sight-seeing, Madrid
Following this, we visited the Cathedral de la Almudena. Be sure to look up what times the changing of the guards ceremony takes place because the schedule varies depending on the season, holidays, and weather.
After visiting the Cathedral, it was time to grab some lunch. There’s a few cafes located nearby, however, when in Spain, one must eat tapas! One restaurant in particular called El Anciano Rey de los Vinos had the best empanadas de espinaca (spinach empanadas)! I highly recommend you stop by and try it.
Plaza de Oriente
Sight-seeing, Madrid
Thereafter, we decided to head on over to the famous Mercado De San Miguel, however, on our way here we stopped in our tracks as we passed by Plaza de Oriente. This plaza was absolutely stunning, from the alluring statues to the clean cut grass… It was extremely aesthetic.
Mercado De San Miguel
Where to eat food, Madrid
After strolling through the plaza, it’s a short walk (about 7 minutes) to Mercado de San Miguel. As soon as you enter the doors to the market, you can feel the craziness surrounding you. People are constantly going in and out… It’s like a revolving door. Here, you will find various food vendors with a side of chismosa (gossip)! The market is a popular spot among locals to hang out and catch up with a drink.
Parque de El Retiro
Sight-seeing, Madrid
Immediately following the market, our next stop was Parque De El Retiro. The walk from Mercado de San Miguel to Parque De El Retiro was a whopping 27 minute walk… We got our steps in to say the least. This park was filled with white and green scenery, as well as local musicians. One of the musicians had a tiny audience surrounding him, women were dancing and doing the limbo! It looked like so much fun that we decided to dance along with them… it is such a pure memory.
Within the park, there is lots to do. There’s cafes, boat paddles (for rent), statues, architecture, and more. It’s perfect to spend time with family and loved ones while strolling through such a charming property.
Gourmet Experience Gran VΓa
Where to Grab drinks, Madrid
From Parque De El Retire we then traveled to Gourmet Experience Gran VΓa: A rooftop market where you can grab some wine and cheese while looking over Madrid, (the walk from the park to the rooftop bar is approximately a 24 minute walk.) This gourmet experience doesn’t solely have wine and cheese, there are many options when it comes to food and drinks. In the picture posted below is an espresso martini. I highly recommend trying it!
La Polleria Oficial
Where to eat dessert, Madrid
This hidden little gem is such a fun pit stop (about a 13 minute walk from Gourmet Experience Gran VΓa). The waffles being served at this place aren’t your typical waffles… La polleria is a unique but bizarre dessert experience that is one you’ll never forget. From the minute you step into the place to the second you leave, you’re in for a treat. The staff working there are very passionate about their jobs and love to mess with tourists. I wouldn’t recommend bringing your kids into this one! Definitely a great place to swing by for a girls day/night out.
Temple of Debod
Sight-seeing, Madrid
To end a day of exploring, you should check out the Temple of Debod located inside of the Parque De La Montana (approximately a 27 minute walk). The park begins to fill around sunset since it’s the perfect place to watch it. While here, enjoy the outstanding views of the city.
CAT Hostel Bar Crawl
How to party, Madrid
Just as our day had come to an end, nighttime was right around the corner. The CATS hostel throws a bar crawl every night. They invite other hostels around the area as well, so that travelers can get to know one another. The bar crawl goes to three bars and one club. This is a great opportunity to mingle with people and party with a group. Through the bar crawl, you’ll experience all the best party spots in Madrid and create long lasting memories!
Tips
Just to note: The clubs in Madrid stay open till about 6am so don’t plan on having an early night… Take the opportunity to truly experience this way of partying! Also, wear comfortable shoes because odds are you’ll probably end up walking quite a bit.
Overall, there is so much to do and see in this stunning city. Madrid really is for anyone and everyone; from families, to friends, to study abroad, this city welcomes all. Plan a trip to see all that it has to offer.
With love always, Sophia Juliet. <3
