It’s the 10th, so it’s time for another 10 on 10! Every month I put together a photo post based around a different theme. This month, we’re heading to Madrid. I’m calling our first day ‘Classic Madrid at a relaxed pace’ – no rushing, no museum marathons, just plenty of opportunities for coffee, sightseeing and people-watching.
But first… coffee. And baked goods. We head to one of my favourite spots in Madrid, Santa Eulalia Patisserie. I’m pleased to report that the coffee and pastries are just as good as I remember. The pretty street and charming frontage are worth the visit alone and after a leisurely breakfast, we’re ready to face the day.
Our first stop is Gran Via – the heartbeat of Madrid. Stretching for 1.3km, it’s lined with flagship stores, theatres and stunning early 20th-century architecture. It’s also where we’re staying – Hotel Emperador is slap, bang in the middle of the action. We were lucky enough to receive a complimentary upgrade to a balcony room and this was the view!
Next, we walk to the junction with Calle de Alcalá to admire the Edificio Metrópolis, one of Madrid’s most recognisable landmarks. Although its official address is on Calle de Alcalá, many people see it as the visual gateway to Gran Vía. With its black slate dome and gilded details, it’s certainly impressive.
From there, it’s on to Puerta del Sol, Madrid’s central square which always has a real buzz. Somehow we manage to miss both the famous Kilometre Zero marker and the Bear and the Strawberry Tree statue, but we don’t miss the imposing statue of King Carlos III. Although it looks centuries old, the bronze monument was only unveiled in 1993.
We stroll through Plaza Mayor and look… Another horsey statue! This one is of King Philip III who ordered the construction of the square in the early 17th century. I love the architecture here but it the vibe is a little too touristy for my liking. Even so, it’s a great place to pause for a spot of people-watching and browse the little shops tucked beneath the arcades.
We stop in at Mercado de San Miguel and it’s already packed despite still being early in the day. I don’t remember it being this busy on my last visit. Like many of the shops and restaurants nearby, it’s undeniably touristy. The variety of food is huge but so are the prices, so think of a visit here as sightseeing with food. We admired the wine… but decided it was a little too early to start sampling it!
Onwards to the Basilica of San Francisco el Grande, one of Madrid’s most historic churches. It’s famous for having one of the largest domes in Christendom and is home to an impressive collection of Spanish art, making it both an important place of worship and a cultural landmark.
Next stop: the Royal Palace of Madrid. With 3,418 rooms, it’s the largest royal palace in Europe and one of the largest in the world. Although the Spanish royal family no longer lives here, it’s still used for state ceremonies and official events.
Directly opposite stands Almudena Cathedral. Its mix of architectural styles makes it quite different from many of Europe’s grand cathedrals, and together with the Royal Palace, it creates one of Madrid’s most impressive views.
Not bad for a morning’s sightseeing! We’d managed to tick off some of Madrid’s biggest landmarks, enjoy coffee and baked goods, wander at our own pace and still have plenty of time left to head back to the hotel, grab a late lunch and spend the afternoon by the pool. That’s my kind of city break!
Have you been to Madrid? What’s the one place you’d recommend not missing? And are you a sightseeing kind of person, or would you be ordering that glass of wine at Mercado de San Miguel?
