Spain Portugal Morocco: Madrid (1)
11:19 PM
Signed up for a Cosmos tour to Spain Portugal and Morocco as a means to escape the harsh Hungarian winter. Never one to waste any time, I opted to fly to Madrid a couple of days earlier so that I could see the city as I knew that we would not see much of Madrid on the tour itself. Flying over to Madrid was a hassle in itself. The plane was delayed and we had to sit in the plane doing nothing for 45 mins before the pilot was given the go ahead to take of, due to the "chaotic Europe airspace". Arrived at my hostel close to midnight, after narrowly escape a pickpocketing attempt on the train and tumbled into bed. I was quite lucky during my days alone there because I made some friends in the hostel who invited me out to lunch/dinner with them and with them I was able to experience some real Spanish food (it really helps to be with people who speak the language!). Pictures below!
The bear statue at Puerta del sol, the symbol of Madrid.
Sofia museum where Picasso's famous Guernica is kept. You can take pictures of any other painting except that Painting!
Plaza Mayor where the Christmas markets were being held. It was so crazy here!!!! It was literally elbow to elbow... so chaotic..
Lunch at the world's oldest restaurant, according to the book of records. Set menu of 40 Euros gives you a soup, classic spanish main of roast suckling pig and dessert including drinks. The pork was very well done, but too much!!! Couldn't finish it.
Lottery buying in Puerta del sol. It's a very popular ritual among the Spanish apparently. Museum del Jamon is a popular tapas place, there's like a chain of them all around the city.
The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) is an enormous palace, with scorching plains of concrete around it and the Real Armorial (Royal Armory), a two-story collection of medieval weapons and armor. The palace not the residence of the current royal family. The Royal Palace is considered to be one of the most emblematic and beautiful buildings in Madrid, not only for its location but also for its architecture and the artistic treasures to be found in its rooms.
Cathedral de la Almudena. Finished in the end of 20th century, it is where the Princes of Asturias Felipe and Letizia were married in 2004.
The bear statue at Puerta del sol, the symbol of Madrid.
Sofia museum where Picasso's famous Guernica is kept. You can take pictures of any other painting except that Painting!
Plaza Mayor where the Christmas markets were being held. It was so crazy here!!!! It was literally elbow to elbow... so chaotic..
Lunch at the world's oldest restaurant, according to the book of records. Set menu of 40 Euros gives you a soup, classic spanish main of roast suckling pig and dessert including drinks. The pork was very well done, but too much!!! Couldn't finish it.
Lottery buying in Puerta del sol. It's a very popular ritual among the Spanish apparently. Museum del Jamon is a popular tapas place, there's like a chain of them all around the city.
The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) is an enormous palace, with scorching plains of concrete around it and the Real Armorial (Royal Armory), a two-story collection of medieval weapons and armor. The palace not the residence of the current royal family. The Royal Palace is considered to be one of the most emblematic and beautiful buildings in Madrid, not only for its location but also for its architecture and the artistic treasures to be found in its rooms.
Cathedral de la Almudena. Finished in the end of 20th century, it is where the Princes of Asturias Felipe and Letizia were married in 2004.
