We started our exploration of Madrid in the best way I can think of: walking around the Centro (Downtown).
Yes, we were tired because of the time change. Our eyes were burning after not having a bed to sleep the night (a plane seat is far away from being considered a bed). I felt in some sort of haze maybe because my ears were still clogged due to the altitude changes. But, we were in Madrid and there was no way we were going to spend precious time resting.
Our first stop was around the corner of our hotel. We started by having a bite at the Museo del Jamon (Ham Museum). Can you believe a establishment with such appealing names exist in Spain?
I had the pan con tomate (bread topped with tomato and ham), fresh orange juice and coffee. My husband decided to have a daily plate consisting of a piece of meat, French fries and salad. First degustation critics from Madrid? Delectable!
We continued towards Puerta del Sol, or, what can be considered the center of Madrid and all Spain (Madrid is located in the geographical center of the country).
This place is famous for many reasons:
- It is the km 0 of the radial network of Spanish roads
- The Oso y Madroño (Bear and Strawberry Tree) statue, the city’s symbol is located there
- The Tio Pepe advertisement, a famous landmark, is situated over one of the plaza’s building
- The square also contains the famous clock whose bells mark the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes and the beginning of a new year
- It is probably the most famous meeting point in the city
After taking a good look at the buildings (and dodging other visitors), we started to walk west on the Calle Mayor.
I started to feel a bit nostalgic since the buildings in Old San Juan have a similar architecture than a lot of the buildings on Madrid’s streets. I couldn’t stop thinking about home.
The colors reminded me of Puerto Rico as well.
One of those narrow streets diverted me from the main road. I am not even sure what street I took but I ended up surrounded by interesting features.
A look up revealed buildings painted with comical characters.
Another building was adorned with intricate details and patterns. It was a delight to stroll and be surprised at every corner.
We even found a moving watch maker.
And a woodwork store beautifully adorned.
We ended up at the Plaza de la Provincia and Plaza de Santa Cruz (looks like one plaza but, in reality, they are two). This was another great place to admire the striking architecture.
Turns out we weren’t that lost because at one turn, we found one of the entrances to the Plaza Mayor. This rectangular plaza surrounded by three-story residential buildings is another of Madrid’s must. It has a total of nine entranceways and it serves many municipal and cultural functions.
It is another crowded meeting point full of street performers and tour groups.
A lot of people recommended not eating at the restaurants in the plaza, therefore, we moved to the Plaza San Miguel to eat at the eponymous market.
Mercado San Miguel is composed of many stalls selling scrumptious and exquisite food. Do not forget to read my specific post about the Mercado to find recommendations on what to eat.
And, since we are talking about food, did I mention Madrid is full of bakeries, restaurants and shops selling charcuterie, chocolate, candy and other food related items?
I ran from shop to shop taking a look at the goods. Many of them were items I have never seen before. The presentation was impeccable.
Another thing I liked about some of Madrid’s buildings was the way they were covered in tiles. We observed a lot of these (exterior and interior covered in tiles) around the Plaza Mayor.
Some of them had tiles depicting city symbols, house specialties or a painting related to the restaurant’s name. I imagine people asking for this or that restaurant painted with a specific design (who has to remember street names in here?).
Even street and plaza names were painted in tiles. I liked this feature so much that I ended up buying postcards containing a collection of the city’s many street signs.
Our stroll finished around 5:00 p.m. since we wanted to rest in order to experience our first night in Madrid. We had a bite at Venta El Buscon before hitting the hotel. We had a parrillada for two. I was delicious!
Stay tuned for more adventures around Madrid!
Have you been to Madrid? What is your favorite place in El Centro?
Pin it for later?
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Murthy says
Great pictures.
Ruth says
Thanks for stopping by!
Lyn aka TheTravellingLindfields says
Wow – you make Madrid look a lot more interesting than I thought it would be. We have been to lots of other areas in Spain but never Madrid – maybe I need to put it on the list.
Ruth says
Honestly, I think you should add it to your list. The city is beautiful, the food is great and the atmosphere is fun. There are a lot of cultural happenings all around. In short, I fell in love with the city.
sccollections says
Nice snippets of madrid. I like that.
Ruth says
Great to know you liked the photos and the walk. There is a lot to do in the city.
Anna says
Oh I’ve dined at the Jamon Museum during my short layover in Madrid!! The food in Spain is amazing…Loving your photos of Madrid!
Ruth says
Thanks Anna! Hope you can spend more time in Madrid soon. It is a fun city full of great sights.
image-in-ing: weekly photo linkup says
What a beautiful, colorful city!
Thanks for taking us with you virtually through your photos, and thank you for linking up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/11/basilica-shrine-of-saint-mary.html
Photo cache says
What a delightful trip, with blue skies. The food is simply mouthwatering.
Ruth says
I was a bit scared because the weather reports were very negative during the time I stayed in the city. They were all incorrect. We got sun most of the time.
Lyndall says
I haven’t been to Madrid, but it sure looks interesting. Love your pics of the gorgeous buildings and all that yummy food! 🙂
Ruth says
I think Madrid is more interesting than what most people think. I liked the vibe in here more than in other big cities.
Kathy Marris says
I haven’t been to Spain, but I am very interested to learn about it as a travel destination. From your photos I think I would enjoy it. I love the colourful murals on some the buildings.
Ruth says
Glad to know you have an interest in learning more about Spain. I think the country has something to offer to every type of traveler. Hope you learn more about Spain thru my posts. I have tons of them coming!
Bumble Bee Mum says
What an interesting place! Especially like the building with the cartoons and the moving watch maker! And wow, the entrance of the woodwork store is gorgeous. Thank you for linking up on #TravelTuesday. 🙂
Ruth says
I was surprised! I wasn’t expecting to find such cute buildings in the area. I think this is the perfect place to have a walking tour and have an expert point out the hidden gems of the city.
Tanja (the Red phone box travels) says
Great photos! I did Madrid in 2010:)
eileen says
Hello, what an awesome tour of Madrid. I love the buildings and the food looks delicious too. Wonderful photos, thanks for sharing your visit. Enjoy your day!
Ruth says
Thanks Eileen. Madrid is so charming, isn’t it? I miss it so bad. Hope I can return soon.
Estrella says
Looks like you had fun in Madrid, and now this post is making me miss it. The tiles for street names is something I really like as well. It adds a little something special, and some of the streets have funny names and pictures.
Ruth says
Thanks for stopping by Estrella! I kept looking at the street signs. Like you mentioned, some of them were really interesting. Would be great to learn more about why the streets were named like that.
Lauren says
Ahhh crying a little bit inside! I miss Madrid and my pan con tomate and my jamon and pretty tile street signs! Looks like you had a great time! So so jealous!!
Ruth says
I am missing too. I guess it is difficult to visit Madrid and not get nostalgic once you are far from her. I found the pan con tomate delicious (and I do not even like tomatoes that much).
budget jan says
I love that you were lost, but not lost. Madrid is a lovely city to walk around and I loved those tiles too! Looking forward to more of your Madrid walks.
Ruth says
Yes, we had not idea on where we were but we ended up where we wanted to go. It was fun to walk around the streets admiring the architecture, colors and signs.
Marcia says
Hi Ruth! I was in Madrid in the 70s and always feel nostalgic about this city, about Spain. I spent a wonderful 4 months there, only one week in Madrid. Thanks for taking me back. My return is long overdue. I look forward to reading more – and seeing your photos.
Ruth says
Marcia, I bet some aspects of the city have changed since you visited. I went to Madrid for the first time 12 years ago. I was surprised since I didn’t have a lot of memories of my first visit. I went to some places and there wasn’t a memory letting me know that I was there before. It was kind of strange. I still have to take a look at my old photos and compare with the new ones.
Brooke of Passport Couture says
It’s been so long since I’ve visited Spain! I would love to go back, because from your photos I feel there’s so much I missed. It’s such a wonderful and laidback country I would love to revisit someday!
Jen says
I am incredibly jealous of your trip to Madrid. You’ve given us so much to see and so much to look at – amazing! I don’t know how you decided to do anything; I think I would be paralyzed by overwhelming choices!
Thank you for sharing with us at Photo Friday!
Ruth says
Hello Jen, it was great to visit such a beautiful city. Like you say, it is not easy to decide where to go or eat. You are walking down a street and then, got distracted by something you saw on a corner. There is so much to see!
Trekking with Becky says
I LOVE wandering around and exploring downtown in a new city like that! I always start off every new adventure like that. Gotta love it when you find someone who thinks like you, especially since 99.9% of myntravels are solo. You might find the post I wrote about that featuring Xi’an interesting – http://www.trekkingwithbecky.com/how-i-start-every-new-adventure/
I love your shots of the colourful buildings most. 😀 Great job! 😀
Ruth says
Hello Becky! I try as much as possible to book a hotel near the city center. Then, after dropping the luggage, I start exploring right away (even if I am not sure where I am going).
Corinne says
Ruth, The last time I was in Madrid it was in the winter and it certainly wasn’t as pretty as your days. The warmth is just emanating from your photos. I love it.
Ruth says
Corinne, these photos were from my first day in the country. That was the warmer day of the trip. Overall, we cannot complain too much about the weather. It cooperated most of the time.
Hannah says
This looks like such a colorful place to visit full of character (and delicious food!)
Ruth says
Thanks Hannah! Glad you got the right impression about Madrid.
Molly says
Looks like a great place and all the food looks so yummy
Mollyxxx
Ruth says
The food was yummy! Need some of that right now!
peregrinationgourmande says
Why are you always make me hungry with your food pics? haha.
Never been in Madrid, seems like a nice place.
xx cathy
Ruth says
Hey, that is why I do best. Well, what I can say. I love food. Thanks for stopping by.
Elaine J. Masters says
You just convinced me that I have to visit Madrid and soon. I love arriving in a new city and walking circles around my accommodations to get to know the area too.
Ruth says
Madrid is great and, yes, I think you should visit soon. Glad to know you enjoy discovering areas by foot.
Heidi Wagoner says
Oh we just love Madrid. We live down on the coast in a small Costa Tropical city. We have visited Madrid a few times and now I want to go back.
Ruth says
Hello, thanks for visiting my site. I have never heard of the Costa Tropical before. Glad you brought it to my attention. I will love to live in Spain. I think I would be happy living close to a train station.
Traveling Rockhopper says
Madrid is very interesting, however I enjoyed my much more nearby lovely towns 🙂
Ruth says
You have to share those nearby towns with me. I was able to visit Segovia and Toledo. They were great!
Suze says
I haven’t yet visited Madrid but I’m hoping to return to Spain next year for a road trip – would definitely like to visit the Ham Museum!
Ruth says
You have to visit Madrid! I am sure you will enjoy the city (especially the food).
Cathy Sweeney says
Madrid is such a vibrant and delicious city. I only spent a couple of days there, but it left me with a craving for more. Mercado San Miguel would be a good place to start next time.
Ruth says
We spent a total of 5 days in Madrid and felt like we could have spend more time. Lots of interesting things to do plus there are a lot of small cities to visit nearby.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says
I’ve never been to Madrid. It really looks like a wonderful place to just get lost and explore. I like the exteriors of the colorful buildings, especially the ones with the fun paintings. And I can easily tell that one will never go hungry exploring Centro.
Ruth says
You would not go hungry in Madrid or in other parts of the country (I am pretty sure). The architecture of the city is spectacular.
Karen says
I was in Madrid for one weekend only many years ago. I remember it being beautiful, but you really captured much more beauty than I recall. Like you, I love the colors and tiles.
Ruth says
I went many years ago but din’t have a lot memories. I think I absorbed more of the city and of the country this time.
Anda says
Your post about Madrid brought back some good memories from my visit there many years ago. At the time our son was still living with us and we traveled there together. He loved the tapas so every day we had to go to a different place and try them. I love the mural paintings that you found on that building. I don’t think they were there when I was in Madrid. I would have seen them for sure. Thank you for linking up to #TheWeeklyPostcard, Ruth.
Ruth says
We loved tapas too! I have read they are supposed to be kind of an appetizer before dinner. However, we couldn’t resit the many options and ended up making a full meal of the many ones we tried.
Claudia says
Great recap of your first day in Madrid. I bet the rest of your trip was just as gorgeous.
You’ve got a great meme going here. I wish I had known about it when I was blogging about my travels a couple of years ago. 🙂
Ruth says
Thanks Claudia! The entire trip was phenomenal. It was kind of one of those things in life that are never going to be forgiven. I am reliving the trip by blogging about it.
Louisette says
Wonderfull photos.
Ruth says
Thanks Louisette! Glad to have you here.
Sally@Toddlers on Tour says
I went to Madrid when I was backpacking around Europe, but I don’t think I gave it a fair go. It was my last stop after backpacking solidly for 6 months – I was tired. Sadly I can’t remember the lovely looking El Centro or all those delicious food places.
I think that’s a good enough excuse to go back 🙂
Ruth says
I know what you mean. Travel con be so tiring. After two weeks in Spain, we spend our last day in Madrid. We took it really slow. I do not think I had the strength to walk all over like we did during the first couple of days.
Abrianna says
I like those tiles too. And yes the buildings remind me of Puerto Rico which makes sense since they have Spanish roots. The snake cake? bread? was very clever.
Ruth says
The tiles are lovely. Wonder if there is a tour taking you around the tiled places in the city. That would be nice!
RobRob@TravelLatte(.net) says
Oh my gosh, those plates and sweets look delicious! And the streets and plazas look like they would be so much fun to explore. We definitely need to move Madrid further up the To Do list! Thanks for the inspiration! #WednesdayWanderlust & #WeekendWanderlust
Ruth says
Yes Rob. Move up Madrid! The food alone makes the trip worthwhile.
Nancie Lee says
Madrid looks fantastic with the architecture, paintings and tiles. I have wanted to collect painted tiles to decorate in my home. You photos are awesome with all the artistic details. It would be so hard to not buy one of everything in all the tasty pastries. Madrid looks exciting!! Thanks for sharing!
Ruth says
I have seen tiled kitchens and bathrooms and they are so dreamy. In Puerto Rico, tiles are heavily used in floors. I would not mind living in a place full of them.
dNambiar says
So much colour and so much art.
Such charming building too. Thank you for sharing these sights from Madrid. 🙂
And how can you not eat at a place called Ham Museum, right? 🙂
Thank you for coming by ‘Tipsy from the TRIP’ 🙂
Ruth says
The Museo del Jamon was everywhere. We had our first and last meal in Spain there (was not planned).
Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti says
What a beautiful and colorful city, Madrid is! Your photos and commentary made me wish I could hop on a plane and visit this week. I’d love to try soem of the foods and visit the shops. I’m a fan of traditional Flamenco dancing so I’d love to see that performed in Spain. Thanks, Ruth!
Maria (one tiny leap) says
Fabulous photos, and looks like you had a lucky detour from the main road. The architecture and the colours are so uplifting, I love finding little details on buildings and looks like Madrid is perfect for that 🙂
Life Images by Jill says
thank you so much for taking us to Madrid. It looks like a fabulous fascinating city to visit. I study Flamenco dancing but have never been to Spain. It is on my wish list, but until then, thankyou! Happy travels and thank you for stopping by my blog this week.
Vlad says
Awesome photos, I need to visit Madrid as soon as possible, I always have a great time in Spain, it’s such a beautiful country, it never disappoints. 🙂
Ruth says
Yes, Vlad. Give Madrid a chance. I am sure you will like it.
shere says
Being from Madrid, I could add many things. Good that you didn’t eat in any of the restaurants at Plaza Mayor, a local wouldn’t eat there. Although having a coffee there is enjoyable. Also many museo del jamon are just tourist oriented, while in the past they were much better and cheaper.
Ruth says
I know there are tons of things to see in the Centro. This is a summary form a visitor perspective. However, I think it is one of the best places to stay in Madrid.
Birgitta says
Ham museum…that was interesting ;)Great photo series!
Ruth says
Thanks! The ham museum had a lot of delicious dishes.