Madrid

Sophisticated, friendly and understated, Madrid makes for a magical European city break.

The Spanish capital may lack a big showstopping attraction such as an Eiffel Tower or a Colosseum, but it more than makes up for it with world-class museums, breathtaking palaces and outstanding food.

I’m always surprised by how few people I know who’ve visited the city, overlooked in favour of Barcelona, Seville and the beach resorts of Tenerife and the Balearics.

When I told people I was going to Madrid, almost everyone I knew said, “Why Madrid?”. Swiftly followed by, “I’ve never been to Madrid before.”

But it’s one of my favourite European cities as there’s so much to see and do, and the city’s elegant streets and parks are perfect for meandering.

I first went to Madrid back in 2010 on the way back from visiting my parents in Galicia, and I fell in love with the city and its formidable sights.

So when I was eyeing a culture-filled October city break after my summer safari in Botswana, I decided the Spanish capital was the perfect place to satisfy my cravings.

I spent four jam-packed days exploring the city and its surroundings, taking in three gorgeous palaces: the Palacio Real in the city centre, the summer palace in the nearby city of Aranjuez and the imposing, monasterial El Escorial (above).

I revelled in countless works of art at the Prado and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and basked in the sophisticated splendour of the Museo Lázaro Galdiano and Museo Cerralbo (above).

I also soaked up the city’s history at the fabulous Museum of the History of Madrid and learned about Spain’s prehistory at the wonderful National Museum of Archaeology (above).

Somehow, I also found time to relax in the city’s grand Parque del Retiro and the more intimate Real Jardín Botánico (above), and toured the city’s many food markets.

Speaking of food, Madrid is a foodie’s paradise and almost everything I ate was delicious, even in the most unassuming places. Madrid is a city that takes its food very seriously.

From churros (above) and tostadas to plant-based pizzas and fluffy pancakes (below), I ate extremely well in the Spanish capital.

The one thing that disappointed me during my first visit to the city was my inability to find a decent cup of tea, but even that had been rectified this time around and I had some great cuppas.

Getting around the city is easy, too. The city centre is compact and walkable, but there’s also a reliable metro system that’s easy to use.

Getting to the airport was a breeze as well, and once I found the bus stop, the airport shuttle took a brisk 20 minutes to whisk me to the terminal.

Over the next few posts, I’ll be recounting my autumn adventures in the Spanish capital. Stay tuned for my musings on Madrid…