If there’s one thing I love to do when I’m away, it’s to delve into local cuisine. Whether that’s sushi, halloumi or snails, I’m always up for trying something new. So, when my boyfriend and I recently enjoyed a Madrid city break, tapas was top of the list and boy, did we manage to pack away a lot. From bocadillo de calamares (squid baguette) to las gulas (baby eels), there were plenty of things to tantalise our taste buds!
Touching down on Friday evening, we were pleased to be met by some of our friends and their beautiful, little two-year-old. Madrid’s city centre is conveniently located no more than a 15-minute drive to the airport, so it wasn’t long before we found ourselves in the heart of Spain. Staying just off of Puerta del Sol, our hotel was only a few streets away from all the top city attractions. Of course, we all had food on our minds, so first stop was Madrid’s main market, Mercado de San Miguel.
Standing since 1916, the market is a relatively local hangout, visited by most on a Sunday afternoon for some vermouth (a type of wine) and
,
of course, a selection of tapas. We tucked in to some tasty ibérico ham, baby eels and pulpo (octopus) straight away. All served on slices of bread, it was a tasty way to begin our weekend!
Next was Puerta del Sol. As the main square in Spain, it’s where everybody gathers on New Year’s Eve to watch the clock strike 12 and eat grapes. Seriously – one for each chime of the clock! It’s also home to the Kilómetro Cero pavement plaque and the renowned Oso y el Madroña statue. Of course, I couldn’t resist posing for a cheeky photo!
We then stopped by the beautiful Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral. The palace, no longer home to the Spanish royals, is open to the public for tours of its grand interior – just know that there are 70 steps to climb to reach the throne room! Right next door to the palace is the Almudena Cathedral. With beautiful stained glass windows, painted ceilings and intricate gothic detailing, it’s one of the most important religious buildings in Madrid.
After stopping for some quick tapas (again), we were on to Gan Via, Madrid’s most important street. Brimming with plenty of shops, boutiques, tapas joints, theatres and bars, you’ll find that everything you need is located along this street. After spending some time shopping, we stopped off in Café 40 to watch a Barcelona match – we are huge supporters – and enjoyed some pina coladas.
We then carried on to see the Templo de Debod, a set of ancient Egyptian ruins that were given to Madrid as a gift. As night had started to fall, the exterior was beautifully lit in various colours, making this 2,200 year-old temple mesmerisingly colourful. Saturday evening was all about spending time with our friends, who set up a fantastic feast for us before heading to Malasaña to enjoy some drinks.
After touring a lot of Madrid on Saturday, we were able be a bit more laidback on Sunday. Jumping on the metro we headed over to Banco de España, where Real Madrid celebrate their winnings. We carried along Fuente de Cibeles and passed some of the capital’s most important buildings such as the Stock Exchange of Madrid, the Spanish Civil War Memorial and the stunning Ritz Hotel.
One of Madrid’s most important museums, El Museo del Prado, was also along this avenue; however, as the sun was shining we felt it was a shame to spend time inside. So, we headed over to El Retiro, a seemingly never-ending park that features a beautiful boating lake and plenty of places to settle down with a picnic.
Of course, hunger pangs had started to strike by now, so before long we were back on the metro to enjoy some tapas in Plaza Mayor. Settling down with a caña (a small beer) and a bocadillo de calamares, it seemed a fitting and rather delicious end to our Madrid city break.
Top tip: Tapas is a huge thing in Madrid and lots of bars will bring you free plates of food when you order a drink, so hold back before delving right into the menu!
Take a look at more of our staff snaps on our Instagram page!
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