Madrid in 24 Hours or How to Efficiently Spend a Day in the Spanish Capital

God worked six days and rested on the seventh. Madrileños rest the six and on the seventh – go to the bullfight

H. O'Shea

"All roads lead to Rome"...

You have probably heard this proverb, but have you heard a similar one that says "All roads start from Madrid"?

In that regard, if you are interested in an adventure in Spain, my recommendation would be to start it from Madrid, the capital of Spain, the capital of Old Castile, and the largest city on the Iberian Peninsula.

Madrid is located in the geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula, at an altitude of about 635m, making it the highest capital in Europe. Don't let that deceive you, as temperatures can rise up to 40 degrees Celsius in the shade during the summer, and the sea and palm trees are hundreds of kilometers away from the city. As early as the mid-19th century, the British travel writer Richard Ford referred to Madrid as a place with three months of winter and nine months of hell.

However, Madrid is truly a royal city that offers something for everyone, and it absolutely compensates for the lack of sea blue in its immediate vicinity.

As is usually the case when traveling, the first destination is the city center, in this case, Puerta del Sol or "Gate of the Sun" - the main square and heart of urban Madrid. The reason for this name becomes clear when you see its shape and the layout of the surrounding streets, which is most clearly visible from the seat of an airplane, or from a bird's eye view, where it looks like the sun. The emblem and symbol of this city, the bear that is eating the local madroño tree, can be found right here. They say that if you stroke the bear's tail, or its left foot (if you're short and can't reach the tail), it will bring you luck. Some even say that it will bring you specific luck in love. This sculpture is a counterpart to our "horse" on Republic Square - a place for encounters and gatherings. The square is full of life, both during the day and late into the night, which is not a common scene in the capitals of Western European countries.

From the strict city center, avenues radiate in all directions for exploring this phenomenal city, and the direction you choose depends on what you want to visit.

On one side is the entrance to the Old Town and a 17th-century square called Plaza de Mayor. Madrid is not only the capital of Spain but also a world center of bullfighting, known as corrida. This square was one of the first open-air bullfighting arenas, and today it is home to numerous restaurants and cafes where you can try the famous deep-fried calamari sandwich. In this old part of the city, there is also the Royal Palace with an incredible 3,418 rooms. Urban legend has it that the king never ate hot soup because by the time the servants brought it to him, it had already cooled down. The palace was built for 17 years and today it is used by the royal family only for ceremonies and official receptions, while for tourists, it serves as a kind of museum. You can visit around thirty rooms, and they are truly magnificent. The museum entrance costs 17 euros, and students have a discount with their student card (ISIC, ESN).

If we continue down the sunlit streets, we would come to the Gran Via street, which represents the main shopping area of Madrid, although the whole city is an absolute paradise for shopaholics. You can find all the world-famous brands, as well as local antique shops that offer unique "treasures" and souvenirs.

However, what leaves far more breathtaking than the possibilities of diverse shopping is the architecture of the city. The Bourbons decided in the 18th century to adorn the city with magnificent fountains, parks, an entrance gate to the city, and new buildings, one of which became today's museum Prado. The entrance ticket to Prado costs 15 euros, and students also have a discount with their card, and for the last two hours of working hours (from 6 pm to 8 pm), the entrance is free. Here you can see the most significant works of Diego Velázquez, Francisco Goya (the famous Naked Maja), Rubens' Three Graces, and many precious art pieces. In addition to Prado, Madrid also offers two newer but equally famous museums, namely Reina Sofia, which includes Picasso's Guernica and Woman in Blue, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.

During breaks from visiting museums, right next to Prado is the Retiro Park - ideal for relaxation and rest from the city's hustle and bustle. The park used to be reserved for members of the royal family, but today it is open and accessible to everyone, though only until 10 pm. In addition to long and beautifully landscaped promenades, there is also a lake where you can rent pedal boats and rowing boats. Near the lake, you can find Velázquez Palace and the Crystal Palace, where various exhibition displays are often organized.

A large number of parks, grand buildings, and squares make strolling through the streets of Madrid a true delight. However, if you're not a big fan of walking or want to save time, the Madrid metro is the perfect choice, the fastest and easiest way to get around the city. It is one of the oldest in Europe and functions excellently. The price of a single ticket is 2.20 euros, but there are also other options available, such as a 10-ride ticket, which is more cost-effective in the long run if you're staying in Madrid.

As is usually the case, the impression of a city is largely formed by its people, so let's take a look at the Madrileños as a nation and their way of life.

My personal impression is that in terms of mentality and behavior, Madrileños, at least at first glance, are very reminiscent of us. They love to enjoy themselves, eat, drink, play, follow football and basketball, have fun, but also lead a bohemian lifestyle. Like most Mediterranean peoples, they have a two-shift work schedule, the so-called siesta, during which most shops are closed, and people go to nearby cafes and restaurants to rest and have something to eat. And all of this with an astonishing level of relaxation. By the way, a small tip for vegetarians - before coming to Madrid, do some research on suitable restaurants. The impression is that you won't eat much in Madrid because the Spaniards are great gourmets and meat lovers. Paella is a traditional Spanish dish. It originally comes from Valencia but can be found all over Spain. The main ingredient is rice, and it is accompanied by various additions: different types of vegetables, meat, fish, seafood... Also, tapas are very popular, similar to canapés, and jamón - the famous Spanish ham (those who have watched the hit series Los Serrano know what I'm talking about). In addition to traditional cuisine, you can find world specialties in the city - Greek, Indian, Arabic, Thai, American, etc.

As I mentioned before, Madrid is one of the few European cities that is bustling with life 24 hours a day and has a reputation as a city that never sleeps, similar to Belgrade. Locals usually start by going to cafes and pubs and then "move" to nightclubs after midnight. The most popular neighborhoods for "warm-up" are located around the La Latina station, as well as the Huertas district, Bilbao, and others. Sangria and vermouth are the drinks that Spain is known for, and they are most commonly consumed throughout the peninsula. Vermouth can be found in some cafes for as little as one euro per glass, and in almost every cafe, you get something to snack on with your drink, usually olives.

Another similarity to Belgrade is the numerous street performers that can be seen on the streets until late at night. There are different performers - hip-hop troupes, student groups performing various types of modern dances, numerous musicians, and acrobats on almost every square in the center of Madrid throughout the day. One of the must-do activities in Madrid is taking photos in traditional flamenco dresses or with mariachis wearing large authentic hats called sombreros.

Being this dynamic, the city is very attractive to tourists. The majority of them come from Portugal and Spanish-speaking countries, but also from other parts of Europe. About 6 million visitors come to Madrid each year on average, which is a strong economic boost for the city but also a haven for pickpockets. Therefore, the first and foremost rule here, as well as throughout Spain, is - take good care of your belongings!

If crowds tire you out or if you want to see something different from Madrid, like me, a trip to the nearby town of Toledo, just 45 minutes away, would be my warm recommendation to everyone, and for me - the next destination on this Spanish route...

To be continued...

Author: Nina Vasiljević