Szilvia GombolaMadrid in a Day
April 12th 2008 06:16
The final stop on my last places to visit before leaving the Northern Hemisphere for good was Madrid. One thing that struck me about the place when I was coming from the airport to my hotel in the taxi is how much construction was going on around the city. Madrid like Barcelona had some very old buildings and some very modern ones too. One minute I was racing around this modern city, the next minute the taxi pulls up outside my hotel in the old city and it was as if I had stepped back in time several centuries.
I only had one full day in Madrid so I decided to focus on city’s highlights, starting early in the morning with a tour of the Royal Palace. The Palace, which dates back to 1755, is still used by the king for royal functions but is no longer a royal residence. The rooms are lavishly decorated, although not to my taste I have to say. The wallpaper in every room has strong patterns as do all the ceilings and the furniture there are also huge low hanging chandeliers making the rooms look extra busy.
After the palace, I went to look at a bull fighting stadium although I am anti bull fighting. Finally I went to look at the Real Madrid football stadium.
I spent the afternoon exploring the city on foot. Starting at one of Madrid’s most popular attractions Plaza Mayor, which was once the focal point of the city where bullfights and even the Inquisition took place. Nowadays it is still very popular and a great place to go and have a meal or drink at one of the many street cafes and watch people for a while.
Following that was a short walk to another plaza Puerta del Sol which is a great place for shopping.
That was a very full day starting early in the morning and finishing at dusk. I would definitely recommend spending more time in Madrid. I have been told you are either a Madrid person or a Barcelona person. However, I am not convinced I loved both.
I only had one full day in Madrid so I decided to focus on city’s highlights, starting early in the morning with a tour of the Royal Palace. The Palace, which dates back to 1755, is still used by the king for royal functions but is no longer a royal residence. The rooms are lavishly decorated, although not to my taste I have to say. The wallpaper in every room has strong patterns as do all the ceilings and the furniture there are also huge low hanging chandeliers making the rooms look extra busy.
After the palace, I went to look at a bull fighting stadium although I am anti bull fighting. Finally I went to look at the Real Madrid football stadium.
I spent the afternoon exploring the city on foot. Starting at one of Madrid’s most popular attractions Plaza Mayor, which was once the focal point of the city where bullfights and even the Inquisition took place. Nowadays it is still very popular and a great place to go and have a meal or drink at one of the many street cafes and watch people for a while.
Following that was a short walk to another plaza Puerta del Sol which is a great place for shopping.
That was a very full day starting early in the morning and finishing at dusk. I would definitely recommend spending more time in Madrid. I have been told you are either a Madrid person or a Barcelona person. However, I am not convinced I loved both.
| 77 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
