We were up early to catch the 337 bus from Chinchon to Madrid. It took 45 minutes and it was nice not to have to think about where we were going. The bus dropped us near the centre of the city and we took the lazy option and went by taxi to Plaza Mayor.
Plaza Mayor in the centre of old Madrid
decoration in Plaza Mayor
The square was begun in 1617 and only took a couple of years to build. The statue in the centre is of Felipe III who ordered the square to be built. The square is now lined with shops, including the information centre where you can buy the tour bus tickets.
Felipe III
We took the tour bus because it is a good way to get your bearings in a new city. When we got on, the only seats were down the back, facing the wrong way and we could see nothing except parked cars. With a bit of wrangling we worked our way to the top of the bus and in a couple of moves, into the front seats. This takes years of practice. We could see very well from our new positions, but the bus was mind numbingly slow and the commentary didn’t match what we were looking at. Anyway, we did the complete loop, not daring to get off because there were queues of people waiting at each stop. Despite its shortcomings it did give us an idea of what we wanted to see.
Neptune's fountain
Opposite another puny Neptune we came across a group of lively musicians. Lucky them, they scored the euro coin I found on the floor of the tour bus.
wonderful street musicians
We wandered down the very pretty Paseo del Prado which has a central walkway and garden. This street has several galleries and museums. It was nice to be under the shade of the trees on such a hot day.
the walkway in Paseo del Prado
lunch
We had lunch at a very pretty restaurant under the trees.
Madrid has the most beautiful parks and gardens. We had a wander in a huge park off Calle de Alfonso XII.
the entrance to the park
a very grand path
the huge lake in the park
street/lake performer
We wandered to the huge Royal Palace. While trying to figure out where to buy tickets we notice a terrible stench. I checked my shoes, Jim checked his shoes, we checked each others shoes, but could see nothing. Then we noticed other people looking at their shoes. One chap was checking his thongs for encrustations, you wouldn’t want to mess up your dress thongs, would you? (flip flops for non Australians) I happened to look across to the gardens and noticed manure scattered over the new grass. I could imagine the gardeners hiding behind a shed laughing at tourists contorting themselves looking for dog poo.
the Royal Palace
No photos are allowed inside the palace (unfair) or I could have shown you the 400 square metre banquet hall and the room entirely covered with porcelain tiles.
the enormous sprawl of Madrid from the palace grounds
part of the palace gardens
pantaloons and a pigeon - lucky man
We wandered down the lively Calle del Arenal in the late afternoon with the other Madrid wanderers – the equivalent of the Italian passeggiata.
Calle del Arenal
There was a delightful bookshop near Pasadozo de San Gines.
lovely bookshop
We strolled around the old streets. I love the street signs.
street sign
looking in the deli window
The balconies have thoughtfully placed tiles on the underside for the benefit of those looking up.
balcony tiles
We ended our day in Madrid back where we started – at Plaza Mayor which was full of football supporters getting ready for the game.
Plaza Mayor
Back on the bus to Chinchon.
Great photos! Sounds like a very fun city. Spain’s definitely on my list.
By: Rufus' Food and Spirit Guide on April 8, 2011
at 5:56 pm
Wait until you see Toledo, Cordoba and Seville – soon to come.
By: bagnidilucca on April 8, 2011
at 9:10 pm
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL.
By: george miori on April 8, 2011
at 5:58 pm
SEE DEBRA THIS IS WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOOUR BLOG. IT MAKES ME WANT TO GO TO MADRID NOW. AND I WILL. THANKS.
By: george miori on April 8, 2011
at 5:59 pm
Go in March.
By: bagnidilucca on April 8, 2011
at 9:08 pm
It looks that it is already summer in Madrid, it is so green! Wonderful pictures! (Greetings from Helsinki, it is just about +1C here and it was snowing yesterday!)
By: Minna on April 8, 2011
at 6:25 pm
It was green – and HOT.
By: bagnidilucca on April 8, 2011
at 9:08 pm
Sounds like a beautiful day! jealous!!
By: Denise Blackman on April 8, 2011
at 6:39 pm
If it hadn’t been 35 degrees it would have been a whole lot better.
By: bagnidilucca on April 8, 2011
at 9:07 pm
Just did a conversion-that is hot!
By: Denise Blackman on April 8, 2011
at 9:25 pm
Yes, it is very hot and anyone who knows me knows how much I hate the heat.
By: bagnidilucca on April 9, 2011
at 7:29 am
My main memory of Madrid in the 70s was being taken to a run-down area scheduled for demolition. Activists had won a stay of execution for it by getting famous artists to paint murals on the walls. Who would demolish a Miro mural?
I remember a huge reproduction of Picasso’s Guernica.
Is this outdor gallery still there? Do you or does anyone know?
By: Richard Tulloch on April 8, 2011
at 7:46 pm
I don’t know, but perhaps someone out there does.
By: bagnidilucca on April 8, 2011
at 9:07 pm
Great pictures! The huge park is called the Parque del Retiro, I’m not sure if you saw it while inside but there’s a beautiful greenhouse called the “Palacio de Cristal” – it’s well worth a look.
And while in the centre of Madrid ask around for the Mercado de San Miguel, it’s the perfect place for a lunch of tapas. Though it’s popular the market still retains quite a laidback feel.
I would also recommend the very Spanish district of La Latina. For drinks and local Madrileño food it’s hard to beat.
By: James on April 8, 2011
at 8:24 pm
I thought that was the Retiro, thanks for the confirmation and the other tips. We didn’t see the greenhouse – next time.
By: bagnidilucca on April 8, 2011
at 9:06 pm
I’m going to Seville in May!!! You have to update me 🙂 🙂
p.s MADRID HERE I COME. xox
By: Dakota on April 8, 2011
at 9:23 pm
Seville is my favourite place so far, I liked it much more than Madrid. There will be a post soon.
By: bagnidilucca on April 9, 2011
at 7:28 am
I liked Felipe III’s jaunty moustache, wonder if he was jaunty himself…? When I think of Spain, all I can think of is with the Spanish Inquisition and sombre buildings. I love all your pictures, especially the gardens, the balcony tiles and the deli window, just about everything, really. The wonderful thing about your blog, Deb, is that we get to read good suggestions from other fans, so, thanks, James, for your tips re the best places to eat and visit. I’ll put that on the list for future plans to explore Madrid.
By: Sandra H on April 9, 2011
at 2:24 am
James has a great blog, I’ll send you the link when I am better organised.
By: bagnidilucca on April 9, 2011
at 7:30 am
I love Madrid, it is such a brilliant city. Do try to get to Salamanca if you’re in the area and with a car, it’s my favourite city in all of Spain (along with Barcelona of course). I hope you’re enjoying all the delicious Spanish tapas and unbeatable Iberian ham. Qué disfrutáis vuestro viaje!
By: Tali on April 9, 2011
at 7:45 am
We didn’t get to Salamanca unfortunately – next time. The ham is great, not so keen on tapas. I loved Barcelona much more than Madrid.
By: bagnidilucca on April 10, 2011
at 8:05 am
My husband and I spend a few days in Madrid in 1989 for discussions on logistics for Expo 2002 at Seville. We had agreat time and I do remember eating at Botin a restaurant in a building dating back to the 16th century, actually the oldest restaurant in the world, byGuiness Book of Records. Food was fantastic.
We loved Madrid and certainly enjoyed the Prado.
By: Lorraine on April 9, 2011
at 9:49 am
The Prado is a great street, you could spend weeks just there. I’ll have to go back.
By: bagnidilucca on April 10, 2011
at 8:06 am
I long to return for better look. Such a grand city, isn’t it? Happy trails as you see more of Spain.
By: Mary Louise Tucker on April 9, 2011
at 12:05 pm
It is a really grand city with lots of huge monuments and lovely parks – my favourite bit.
By: bagnidilucca on April 10, 2011
at 8:07 am
Great! I’m looking forward to more of your Spanish journey. I am totally in love with Spain !
By: beautifulamnesia on April 11, 2011
at 7:02 am
There are some more amazing cities to come.
By: bagnidilucca on April 11, 2011
at 4:59 pm
I’d love a stroll down Paseo del Prado, what a beautiful walk. And, what about that street/lake performer eh 😉
By: Anna Johnston on April 11, 2011
at 11:20 am
Paseo del Prado was very lovely – and hot.
By: bagnidilucca on April 11, 2011
at 5:03 pm
[…] stayed at a beautiful Parador in Chin Chon (click here) and had a day in Madrid (click here) hills that looked like little pimples on the landscape huge cranes making nest on poles near […]
By: Driving all over Spain « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on September 12, 2011
at 12:36 pm
[…] here to see more of this incredible building and look in the Spain category to see Madrid, Ainsa, Toledo, Seville, the windmills in La Mancha, Cadiz, Granada and the Alhambra and […]
By: Looking back over 2011 « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on December 30, 2011
at 5:22 am