Adventures in Spanish 2013: Giantville (Madrid)

After 6 hectic weeks studying Spanish, I travelled to Madrid to catch up with my friend, Gillian for 3 weeks playing tourist. We had 11 fantastic days in Madrid, taking trains and buses to surrounding towns and places of interest. I particularly enjoyed playing tour guide at two places, Avila and Salamanca and Gillian had a wonderful time at both.

During our forays into Madrid, we visited several museums and art galleries, the botanic gardens, the Retiro Park, Puerto del Sol and 0km, the place where all roads are measured from in Spain. We became experts on catching the metro, how to work out the bus & train timetables and how to navigate old town centres where street signs were often not obvious meaning it was a gamble which street we were actually in at any given time.

I took to nicknaming Madrid - Giantville - as the buildings and monuments were so enormous they took up whole city blocks and could be seen from a long way away. Not only were the building extremely large, but they often had huge statues on top as well. It's a wonder the buildings didn't fall down! One other thing about Madrid - it's very noisy!!!!!

Gillian booked us into a lovely attic apartment (4th floor) in an older suburb, Huertas, that has many attractions. It is close (walking distance) to the Prado & Reina Sofia Museums, the Atocha train station, the botanical gardens and the Retiro Park. It also has many bars and restaurants and has a pedestrian area that means traffic is restricted. All great for what we wanted to do. Only problem is, Madrilenos don't go to bed!! Our street was right in the middle of the bars and restaurant district in the pedestrian area. We were in the thick of the nightlife without realising it. I'd stay there again, but with ear plugs on standby!!!!!

I think of all we saw and did in Madrid, my favourite place would be the Retiro Park. It is a massive park in the centre of the city, has many spaces for different uses and themes and seems to absorbs the thousands of people who visit easily so you don't feel crowded. It is definitely worth the visit and to take the time to wander around slowly, enjoying all that is on offer.

Gillian has so many favourites - favourite house, favourite street, favourite park, favourite museum - that there is too many to list!