BREAKING
BEL
UNFILTERED CHATS
Madrid
Capital of Spain
Madrid is not just a city, it is the largest town in Spain and the second most populated capital in the eurozone: there are a lot of people! Its coat of arms features the famous bear and strawberry tree.
Among its historical gems is the Temple of Debod, the oldest building in Madrid, a gift from Egypt for helping to build the Aswan Dam. It also has curiosities such as the ghost metro station of Chamberí and one of only six statues dedicated to Satan in the world, located in El Retiro. It also boasts the oldest restaurant in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records (although several countries dispute this, for now the title is Spanish).
The goddess Cybele symbolically watches over Spain's gold, and although Madrid has no natural beach... it does have an artificial one that looks the part!
It is a cosmopolitan, cultural, modern, lively, and vibrant city that never sleeps. There is always time to share a few glasses of wine with friends. If you're from Europe, Madrid is perfect for a getaway: monuments, museums, entertainment at any time of day, shopping, and gastronomy, whether for leisure or work.
Prices are quite affordable because there are options for all budgets. It's also a very safe city. Public transportation is an excellent option for getting around.
If you're planning a trip to Madrid, accommodation is key to enjoying yourself to the fullest.
My advice: the most convenient option is to stay in the center, where you will have the best infrastructure and services.
Gossip
What they don't tell you about Madrid
Finding affordable housing is almost impossible: high prices, small apartments, and demanding security deposits.
Frequent pollution, especially in winter, with traffic restrictions.
Dry, hot summers and tropical nights; many buildings without air conditioning.
Constant noise: bars, traffic, sirens, and construction starting early in the morning.
Few green spaces in the center, lots of concrete and little shade.
Gentrification: traditional neighborhoods lose their essence, prices rise, and long-time residents are displaced.
Madrid is vibrant, yes... but not everything is rosy!
My Excursion
🎉 Madrid, our 60s, and us: an explosive trio
This year, the three of us turned 60 (although we feel like we're 40, with days like we're 30 and knees like we're 80 😅). So we decided to celebrate in style: with an unforgettable weekend in Madrid!
We took off on our adventure. With our suitcases full of excitement (and outfits "just in case"), we boarded the plane to the capital. Laughter from takeoff, photos from the window, and that tingling feeling of knowing that the plan was going to be epic.
We stayed right on Gran Vía, which was amazing! We were so central that we could smell the croquettes from our room. The views were like something out of a movie, and best of all, everything was within easy reach!
We started off like good tourists with the tourist bus. Headphones on, cameras ready, and off we went. We saw Madrid from above, with its squares, fountains, red roofs, and a history that told itself. Although, between us... what impressed us most was seeing how some drivers dodged traffic as if they were flamenco dancers.
Olympic-level walking. We got off the bus and said, "Now, let's walk!" And boy, did we walk... From the Royal Palace to Puerta del Sol, passing through Plaza Mayor, Retiro Park, and more. According to the step counter, we burned off half a paella.
Dinner in paradise. One of our great discoveries was a restaurant on Gran Vía that looks like an enchanted greenhouse. Best of all, it was just around the corner and a couple of blocks from the Lope de Vega theater. Plants everywhere, magical lighting, and live music that had us swaying our shoulders (and almost dancing between courses). We ate like goddesses: traditional dishes, toasts to the 60s, and lots of laughter.
Theater, laughter, and excitement. Because it's not all ham and walking, we went to see a play. Spectacular, it exceeded our expectations. No wonder "The Lion King" has been running for so many years.
Madrid tapas as they should be. From bar to bar, we tried the best of the best: patatas bravas, croquettes, calamari, tortilla, and, of course, churros with chocolate. If tapas were a sport, we would win the gold medal.
Getting around Madrid was a pleasure. Metro, bus, walking... everything was easy, clean, and drama-free. We even had time to pop into a few shops.
😴 We came back exhausted, but happy.
We ended the trip with sore feet, more photos than memory on our phones, and smiles from ear to ear. Madrid gave us an unforgettable weekend, and we lived it as what we are: friends, travelers, and warriors of the 60s.
