Madrid

The city of Madrid is mesmerizingly beautiful. Its beauty feels nearly tangible within its streets painted in effervescently changing colors from the golden sunlight.

Madrid enjoys the most cloudless days out of any European city. Sunlight drenches its plazas and illuminates its architecture. It embraces the city in a warm hug, caressing its long fingers across corners and gently sweeping through its streets. A golden amber glows in my memories of Spain, a warm hued impression that reminds me of where I have been and who I am today.

Each time my husband and I visit Madrid, one of our first and last stops is Mercado de San Miguel, a buzzing food market enclosed in glass. It is here where vendors sell various high-end tapas and tasty treats, giving home to a community of locals and international tourists who unite to enjoy various scrumptious bites. There are wide ranges of meats and cheeses, seafood, stuffed olives, desserts, and healthy samples of fruit and juices using fresh ingredients from around the country. The market sells various alcoholic beverages in its bars as well, including sangria, which hues seem to match the colors of Spain’s architecture. When you order a glass of sangria, or make any other purchase, you can carry it with you as you meander through the market.

Near Mercado de San Miguel is Plaza de Mayor – a rectangular public plaza painted in cherry and apricot colored architecture. A bronze statue of King Philip III on horseback stands proudly in the center, completed in 1619. Located in the heart of Madrid, this plaza is full of history and a symbol of hope, rebuilt numerous throughout time. There are ten access points to the plaza, leading to different streets. Vendors and artists sell along the internal perimeter, as tourists wander in and out of the four access points. Restaurants are also situated along the edges, outfitted in wide umbrellas encouraging folk to dine outside. There is an eclectic buzz in the air as people go about their lives in this square, a melting pot and simultaneous transitional hub.

Another famous public plaza and beautiful pocket in the city of Madrid is Puerta del Sol. Less enclosed, this plaza openly stretches out into other streets filled with shops and restaurants. In this famous plaza houses a statue of a bear nuzzling a strawberry tree, El Oso y el Madroño, the official symbol of the city. 

Places to Visit

If you are visiting Madrid, make sure to check out the following:

1. Plaza Mayor – “Main Square,” Grand arcaded square in center of Madrid containing a statue of King Philip III in the center.
2. Puerto del Sol – “Gate of the Sun,” Busy and famous semi-circular public square containing a statue of Madrid’s official symbol of a bear and a strawberry tree.
3. El Retiro Park – Originally called Parque del Buen Retiro, which means “Park of the Pleasant Retreat,” One of the largest parks in Madrid with a lake, zoological garden, statues, and a rose garden.
4. Palacio de Cristal – “Glass Palace,” a stunning conservatory located within El Retiro Park.
5. Mercado de San Miguel – “Market of San Miguel,” Gastronomic market with tapas and drinks. In close proximity to Plaza Mayor and Puerto del Sol.
6. Calle Gran Via – “Great Way,” one of the most famous streets in Madrid bustling with shops, restaurants, and nightlife.
7. Plaza de Cibeles – “Cibeles Square,” Square composed with marble statues and fountains honoring the goddess Cybele.
8. Museo Nacional del Prado & Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía – Main Spanish national art museum & contemporary art museum.
9. Royal Palace of Madrid – The official residence of the Spanish royal family, now exclusively used for state ceremonies. 
10. Santiago Bernabéu Stadium – Stadium to Madrid’s football team, Real Madrid. Catch a game or visit the stadium with a guided tour.

Madrid is a city to wander. You can spend a lot of time exploring various places, as well as lose track of time itself. Being lost can be considered a gift in Madrid, as its sinuous streets and cobblestone alleys may lead you to unexpected plazas, parks, and breathtaking vistas. Moments of uncertainty can be rewarded with joy and surprise. Perhaps Madrid is what it means to experience beauty – to be in awe of what is in front of you. To simply appreciate the present moment you are in, feast your eyes with the loveliness that you experience, and then fondly reflect on its memory.

Surely, the city of Madrid is a masterpiece that you must experience for yourself.