My Travels → Spain → Madrid
Madrid
Spain
A city that comes alive at midnight. World-class art in the Prado and Reina Sofía, endless tapas crawls in La Latina, and wide boulevards made for wandering.
Plan a trip to Madrid →My story
Three days lost in Madrid
October 2024
Madrid caught me off guard. I arrived expecting a big, loud capital and found a city that feels more like a collection of villages stitched together.
The mornings
I started every day with a café con leche in a tiny place in La Latina, watching the neighborhood wake up slowly. No rush anywhere.
The tapas nights
The real magic happened after 9pm. Bar-hopping down Cava Baja, one small plate at a time, until I lost count. My favorite: a hole-in-the-wall serving the best tortilla I've ever had.
What I'd tell a friend
Skip the touristy spots near Gran Vía. Get lost in the smaller streets, say yes to the vermouth, and don't plan your evenings too tightly — Madrid rewards wandering.