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A Full Day in Madrid – Backpacking Europe
A day in Madrid, on foot
Oh, Madrid, I didn’t realize how big of a city it was until getting some proper views at a rooftop bar later in the evening. There is definitely a lot to do with a day in Madrid. The first day on foreign solo always catches me off-guard. Ok, different currency, different language. Check, and check. Time to adjust and blend in. It still amazes me that in the world we live in, only 7 hours earlier, I was across an ocean surrounded by different people, personalities and cultures. We are truly fortunate nowadays to be able to connect globally whether it be through our phones or a plane trip.
If you read my previous post I’m sure you’re waiting for some elaboration on today’s events. Well, no worries. The wait is over. I’ll pick up somewhat where I left off – getting off the bus. It’s early morning still and overnight flights are still killer. If you have discovered a solution for feeling super energetic after those plane rides, please do comment!
Aside from some drowsiness, Madrid was already high on the impressions. Let me paint a picture. It was a cooler day, maybe 75-ish fahrenheit. The sun was out and the birds were a chirpin’. I have one earphone in and one out to listen to the city sounds as I wander around the main bus stop at Atocha. I think Madrid had the biggest impact on me because right away I encountered the largest baby head I’d ever seen. Not that I had seen many before…? Props to the artist.
International McNuggets
Continuing with the art trend, city walls and alley buildings had some tasteful graffiti. Looking up above the streets, the distant rooftops were scattered with sculptures and domes of various buildings. Walking further out from Atocha in the direction of the airbnb, roads got narrower and you could hear laundry on clotheslines waving in the wind. Overall, Madrid was shaping up to be a pleasant place. It got way more pleasant when I happened to run into one of my favorite pastimes: McDonalds. Oh man, I’m lovin’ it. To give you some context – every time I visit a new country or city, I’ll try the Mc Nugs if there is a McDonalds close by. And as a bonus, one regional food item is also purchased. For Madrid, it was nugs + croquetas. Hey, someone has to bear this burden for the masses. If it’s me – so be it.
After the pit-stop, and a short walk, the Airbnb balcony was in sight up on the second, err, third floor. I immediately began jet lag recovery as it was going to be a long rest of the day. With a 3 hour nap behind, it was a little past noon and time to do some exploration on foot. Thanks again to Nicola for the tips on where to go!
Fun Fact
When abroad, "first floor" can be considered the second floor. Very confusing the first time when you are knocking on the wrong apartment door for a solid 5 minutes...
A few Day Stops
There was so much to see, and I fear I cannot go into depth on each place in one post. So as a compromise, here’s a list of stops with an excerpt for each. Of course, pictures are provided, too.
- Plaza Mayor – a central plaza in Madrid with a statue in the middle. A good meeting point and next to many points of interest that are well within walking distance.
- Chocolatería San Ginés – where anyone who has been to Madrid will tell you to get some churros and dip them in chocolate with coffee on the side. These are not like Mexican-style churros. No sugar sprinkled here, but the chocolate makes up for that. Be warned, the bathroom light turns off every 5 seconds, so you WILL look like you are doing some sort of charades to activate the motion sensor.
- Mercado de San Miguel – a covered street market where you are bound to find a snack you’re looking for. The food displays are vibrant and organized, making anyone with OCD very pleased. Prices are fairly reasonable, too. I had some fruit smoothie and a salmon-feta-olive for a euro a piece.
- Temple of Debod – Egyptian architecture in Madrid. There are great views of the city from the hilltop behind the temple.
The Universal Language
With siesta time approaching rapidly, the footsteps were re-traced back to the Airbnb. But this was not before stopping into a local music shop in one of Madrid’s many, many alleys. I thought it was worth mentioning this place since it brought some nostalgia and something else. It was mainly a guitar shop with two rooms that had all sorts of guitars on every wall. The owner, and one other person playing guitar, were passing time. It’s in these moments where the appreciation for music is remembered. Without being able to communicate effectively through our native languages, I can pick up a guitar and play the Blues in a key with someone else I’ve never met, making a simple connection through music. Pretty cool stuff, I think.
Into the Evening
As the day turned into evening, there were still a few additional spots to make it to. One being the Circulo de Bellas Artes and the other, Manuelas. Here’s a recap of both, and I hope the picture below does it justice.
- Círculo de Bellas Artes – the azotea, or rooftop bar has an almost 360 degree view of Madrid. This is a go-to spot with plenty of room to sit or lay about with some drinks and watch the sunset. Needless to say, most of the time was spent up here.
- Café Manuela – didn’t make it here until midnight, so I cannot speak towards the food. However, at night it is lively, even on weekdays. Have yourself a dessert drink, play some cards and relax.
Well, the first day in Madrid was a long one, but it was filled with non-stop places and experiences. There is still one more full day to go before heading out to Menorca. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s going to involve a scenic route with more nature parks. Ok, we’re going all out. Picnic in a park.
Michael Lakus
IT professional, athlete, musician, ponderer of many things... Born and raised in Florida, I began traveling internationally after college. I created this site primarily to remind myself of where I've been and to share my experiences on traveling with a quirky, stress-free, travel attitude.
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This Post Has 2 Comments
Nice blog brother,
Hope I can take you to Colombia or go on an adventure with you.
Regards,
Absolutely! I think Colombia may be on the list later this year actually…