Madrid was always super high on my wish list. However tickets to Madrid were always 5 times higher compared to places I’ve never been to as well, so I would always opt in for the cheaper option. This year we got the opportunity to cat sit near Barcelona, and I thought this could be the year to visit Madrid. To be honest because of the ticket prices, I was again looking at other options. What made me chose Madrid were the very affordable centrally nested hotels. The good flight connections to Berlin, which were always at the end of the day, so you could explore the full day.

We arrived to Madrid by train from Barcelona. Took the iryo company, which I found it amazing. Great prices, amazing vehicles and punctual ride. Arriving at Atocha was also pleasant and overwhelming. The station looked like an airport. Another positively shocking experience, the area around the train station was so clean, unlike all the other train station areas around Europe. After 15minutes of touristic walk we arrived in our hotel in the central area. Pension Corbero.
The hotel was not spectacular but it had everything you need. Ultra central location, amazingly clean rooms, private bathroom, and bonus a balcony on one of the nicest streets. Highly recommending it, The price as very friendly as well.

On our first night we had a stroll through the neighbourhood – Huertas, the Cervantes street, the very famous Calle de Echegaray street. We even made it to the Sol square. Since we were already there we did Gran Via and the Schweppes clock as well. On the way back we could spot the Metropolis building, and the Circulo des Bellas Artes.

We started our first morning in Madrid with specialty coffee exploration and coffee at Etual, their galette with tomatoes was even better than the coffee. Next passed by Caixa Forum building, on our way to Retiro Park. Retiro was very nice, clean and full of people, and musicians. Many of the buildings inside were under construction, so unfortunately I couldn’t see the Glass house.

After Retiro we were on the way to Goya to see the “casa de papel building” – Real Casa de la Moneda, and to try the churros at Manosanta cafe. They looked promising, but I found the chocolate quite sweet, and the place a bit soulless. From here we entered Salamanca or the posh area of Madrid. Basically it looked similarly like other areas, but it had all the shops. The high end stores, mixed with the high street stores. The most important store for me however, was the Mercado de la Paz. This is the home of the best potato tortilla in Spain. So simple, so juicy, yet soo good.

Still in the mood for food, we decided to try a spot as seen on Netflix. The StreetXO restaurant. This is a no reservations restaurant situated on the third floor in El Corte Ingles. Option is to wait outside the restaurant or to wait by the bar sipping cocktail, so we chose number two, They had interesting presentation of cocktail, each of them was special in a way.
In about 20 minutes we were called in and the experience was amazing. You could enjoy the view of the food being prepared in front of your eyes, get inspired by the person seating next to you and most of all in the food.
The dishes were spanish with asian twist. Very recommendable spot. After this experience it was more than needed siesta.

The first evening spot was visiting the Reina Sofia Art museum. We arrived there at sharp 7, just in time for the free entrance. The line was huge but it was going quick so we were very happy with the whole experience in the museum.
Afterwards we did the tourist classic spots Plaza Real, The Royal Palace, St Martin Market, the Oreintal Plaza, witnessed amazing sunset, saw egyptian temple in the middle of the city, ate something not so amazing:the typical Madrid squid sandwich, I think it is over rated. And managed to see the Kilometro 0 and the symbol of Madrid the Bear with the Madrone tree.

Day two started in Chueca the LGBT area of the city, first on the list was a bakery with amazing pastries, but since it only had to go options we skipped it and continued towards Casa Neutrale. On the way there, we saw the “home” of the main actres of a series I enjoyed, Valeria. Chueca was you can tell a hip area, because of all the new spots and little stores.
Since we are very famous for making steps, we stepped up the game and walked towards the Chamberi area and Calle Polizano.
Randomly ended up in a restaurant fully devoted to tomatoes, and to say it was amazing it is understatement.
What was so interesting is, no matter how far you go in Mаdrid, it is everywhere clean, white, and fully in order.

On the way back in the direction of Malasana, we passed by the Olavide square, and this was probably my most favourtie spot in the town. There were some cafes, bakeries, old style restaurants, and above all that real vacation feeling. If I ever go back I would really like to stay at this area.
It was hot, the streets were empty, if you wanted to see people you need to go inside a bar or a restaurant. We ended our visit of Malsana with coffee at Mision and visit to the South American food market Mostenses Market. The atmosphere there was as if you are somewhere in Peru. Then obviously Siesta.

The second part of the day was intended to start at Prado Museum. But this time we were not so diligent as when visiting the Reina Sofia museum. We went there a bit past 6PM, and we were in the part of visitors that was a bit over the line to enter the museum. better luck next time. You can visit Prado Museum for free every day between 6 and 8pm.
Amazed by yesterdays tomato experience, we searched for something similar, and read that Celoso y Manolo should be the place. Let’s say it didn’t satisfy us. Maybe it lives off its old fame and the old owners. In the night we were somehow in Chueca again. Strolling along tiny streets, the goal was to avoid Gran Via at any cost.

Our last day here was a Sunday, which meant El Rastro Market. Because of that we started at Lavapies area visited the Hola coffee first, and had maybe the best coffee in Madrid here. Then we continued to El Rastro. The place was so packed, people were not even watching at the vendors tables, just passing by. There was no point in doing this, so we exited after some meters in the direction of Plaza de la Paja. It look like a tiny town on its own. We randomly chose a place to sit and it felt like a vacation. Afterwards the road lead us to Calle Brava, the most famous street with many restaurants and nice decorations. Saw the Casa de Botin, the oldest open restaurant in the world, there since 18th century.

A wish of mine was to eat churros from the chocolateria St Gines, but the ultimatum was that there is no waiting line, and so it happened. We took 2 of the big ones, porras, and it was great, taste and price wise. We strolled a bit through Barrio de las Leteras area had one more coffee, and it was finally time for our last meal at Sala de Despice.
The concept is super interesting, the interior even more, but the food didn’t touch me so much. Maybe if I had this first and then Street XO, it would be different, but also the atmosphere was more stiff. Anyways it wasgreat experience.

To go to the airport there were a few options, we opted for the metro, becauase we didnt use it a single time and wantedto see how does it function. I would say it is not the most optimal transport from the center, there are direct trans from the Atocha station with the cercania trains, and there are even direct busses. The transport ticket to the airport is 5 euros.

Did I like Madrid, yes a lot. Will I come back, probably, but not tomorrow. No matter how much overrated, I am more of a Barcelona girl (the part North from Diagonal street especially). But If you find a cheap flight landing in Madrid I would day run and get it you wont regret it.