Madrid

We spent a packed, beautiful week in the capital of Spain right after Christmas. The city was magical, charming, and a ton of fun to just wander around. Outside of a few dining reservations and tickets to Flamenco, we didn’t have a lot planned.

We lucked out with mostly crisp and clear winter weather which was perfect for exploring. On our first day, we took a free walking tour which was a great way to see some of the popular sights and get to know the city.

We also spent an evening at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. Most nights from 7 – 9pm they open up for free — the only catch is the long wait to get in. We almost didn’t wait because of the line but it was 100% worth it. The modern and contemporary art was thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable!

A trip to Madrid wouldn’t be complete without attending a Flamenco show. A friend recommended the Torres Bermejas, and we were warned to make reservations far in advance, which we did, thankfully! The dancers were absolutely spectacular. It was such a fun experience that should be included on a trip to Madrid.

Since we were only in Madrid for a week, we didn’t even attempt to cook meals at home and ate out on almost every occasion, as evident in the photos below! The food was outstanding! Some of our favourites include:

La Teranga, a Senegalese restaurant with incredibly flavorful dishes! The Thiébou Yapp was the standout.

I was honestly a bit hesitant about Rosi La Loca as I thought it might be more show and that the dishes would be mediocre. I was wrong! The presentation was stunning but so were the dishes themselves!

While only being in Madrid for a week, we somehow managed to go to Tatema three times! Everything was delicious — the fried broccoli and the carrot salad were my faves!

La Mi Venta was the fanciest place we went. Definitely higher priced and smaller portions. The cocktails were beautifully composed and the pasta dish was delightful!

Madrid is the second Spanish city we’ve visited over Christmas and the decorations did not disappoint! The lights, Christmas trees, and overall festive flare definitely added to the city’s charm!

All in all, I don’t think Madrid is my favourite Spanish city but I am very glad we visited and would absolutely return. A week did not feel like enough time to completely get to know the city and I would recommend at least 10 days to experience this capital.