Easy going exploring the best of Madrid on foot

Madrid, Spain. Visited on 12 – 17 March 2025. 

I flew into Madrid, Spain, on the 12th of March, after spending 11 days in Malta. I sailed through the gates and doors without passport control because this is another EU country. 

This is not my first time in Madrid. I inadvertently deleted all the photos of my first visit a few years ago and, with it, most of the memories. But the wonderful time I had was indelible. 

The center of attraction is the city’s main square, the historic Plaza Mayor. It is one of the most impressive squares, surrounded by walls of historic buildings that are almost structurally identical. For once, I loved being surrounded and boxed in. It was the center of civic, religious, and social life in the old days. It is still the center. Everyone wants to be in it, taking photos to share with those not in it. People sat in cafés watching the goings-on in the square; others sat wherever they could – under lampposts and around the monument. Visitors from different countries converge here, attracting many from the Latino world – some white, some brown; some looking sophisticated, some humble. Everyone wears a contagious smile.  

Plaza Mayor, Madrid's main square
Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s main square

Gran Via is one of the most important shopping streets in the city center. Unlike many modern cities boasting the tallest, most outrageous, and glitzy glass windows of award-winning skyscrapers, it is lined on both sides by classic buildings built in the early 20th century – elegance that has permanence. In these shops, people come to shop for the best and latest their vanity pursues, where their new-age desires are satisfied. Branching from this main street are one-way streets teeming with pedestrians on the pavements on both sides. Madrid is the capital; this is the busiest area and the heart of the city. 

Grand Via, Madrid
Grand Via, Madrid

  

Another masterpiece that dazzles is the Cybele Palace in Plaza de Cibeles. Its intricate façade at the traffic junction spread like a grand poster designed to wow and impress.

These are truly empire buildings – buildings fit for a great empire, which Spain once was. 

Cybele Palace in Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid
Cybele Palace in Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid

On the way to the Royal Palace of Madrid, I was distracted by a Madrid specialty – a roll stuffed with calamari. Such an unusual concoction; not trying would be a sacrilege. Anything fried to golden brown and crispy has to taste good and it did. However, it took me ages to chew through. More rubber than I bargained for. 

Spanish calamari roll
Spanish calamari roll

The Royal Palace’s size and grandeur left an unforgettable impression on me when I first visited it a few years ago. This used to be the official residence of the Spanish royal family, boasting 1400 rooms – indeed fit for a king. Next to it was Cathedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena, in an expansive square.

Royal Palace of Madrid
Royal Palace of Madrid
Courtyard of the Royal Palace of Madrid
Courtyard of the Royal Palace of Madrid
Cathedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena
Cathedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena

While feasting my eyes, a familiar sight caught my eyes – Mercado de San Miguel, a compact food court I had visited before. On that occasion, two stylish Dutch ladies paused to eye my bowl of squid. Without thinking, I offered, “Do you want some?” No hesitation – they plucked a few pieces, and let out a delighted Mmm!” I didn’t insist we go Dutch. There were a lot of tapas – small, delicious, bite-size eats – a concept quite similar to dim sum in Chinese cuisine. This time, it was even more crowded; everyone stood or sat, shoulder to shoulder. It is a very special place to see what the Spaniards eat; a fun place where everyone shares the joy of eating together.

Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid
Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid
Tapas stall in Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid
Tapas stall in Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid

I expected a quiet Sunday. Not Madrid. Not this Sunday. Crowds, sometimes green hats, swarmed around. The main thoroughfare Gran Via was cordoned off, and people lined both sides. Then came blowpipes, drums, dances, and men wearing stockings marching past. Music, whistles, and sing-along fills the air. St. Patrick’s Day – Madrid, where every day feels celebratory.

This is a very walkable city. There are many historical gems scattered across the city, each within an easy strolling distance. Each landmark is a classic and architectural marvel that leaves you yearning for more. These treasures are often framed by a spacious square, free of vehicles, allowing visitors to admire their beauty and grandeur without obstruction and distraction. At any time, cafes, restaurants, and shops abound, ready to refuel and refresh. The Retiro Park, near the city center, serves as a sanctuary where one can roam freely to explore historical attractions, clear your mind, or simply enjoy some exercise. Also noteworthy is the friendliness and decency of the Madrid people. Cars stopped for me every time I tried to cross the streets, whether it was at a zebra crossing or not. On one occasion, I returned for a second helping of a chocolate cookie at a bakery but accidentally left Euro 5 behind. A few kind-hearted individuals chased me down the street to inform me of my oversight. The cookies were divine, and the decency of strangers felt divinely inspired. For a traveler, living among such honorable and warm-hearted people truly makes Madrid a home away from home.

Plaza del Sol, Madrid
Plaza del Sol, Madrid
The Metropolis Building, Madrid
The Metropolis Building, Madrid
Monument to Miguel de Cervantes, Plaza de Espana
Monument to Miguel de Cervantes, Plaza de Espana
Royal Basilica of St. Francis the Great, Madrid
Royal Basilica of St. Francis the Great, Madrid
Plaza de la Villa, Madrid
Plaza de la Villa, Madrid
Museo del Prado, Madrid
Museo del Prado, Madrid
Retiro Park, Madrid
Retiro Park, Madrid
Palacio de Velazquez in Retiro Park
Palacio de Velazquez in Retiro Park
Great Pond in Retiro Park, Monument to Alfonso the Twelfth in the background
Great Pond in Retiro Park, Monument to Alfonso the Twelfth in the background
Puerta de Alcala, Madrid
Puerta de Alcala, Madrid
Famous Spanish ham Jamon Iberico in a crusty roll
Famous Spanish ham Jamon Iberico in a crusty roll

Click the link below to go to the next stop:

One of my most blissful holidays, in the Dominican Republic
See the unique natural wonders of Oman in 10 days

Itinerary for this trip:

Oman Muscat->Dimmah Sinkhole->Wadi Shab->Sur->Ras Al Hadd->Ras Aal Jinz->Al Wasil->Wahid Bani Khalid->Nizwa->Jebel Shams->Iraq Baghdad->Kurdistan Erbil-> Kurdistan Sulaymaniyah->Karbala->Najaf->Babylon->Tunisia Tunis->Sousse->Kairouan->Monastir->El Jem->Carthage->Italy Sicily Palermo->Sicily Syracuse->Sicily Catania->Malta->Madrid->Dominican Republic Punta Cana->Les Terrenas->Santo Domingo->Puerto Rico->Miami

Route map - My epic journey in 80 days, from Oman, Iraq, Tunisia, Sicily, Malta to the Caribbean
Route map – My epic journey in 80 days, from Oman, Iraq, Tunisia, Sicily, Malta to the Caribbean

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