Madrid

Mar 1-4, 2024
AC824 YYZ-MAD, AC825 MAD-YYZ

I had such a good time in Madrid on my first visit, that I was happy to get back and introduce the city to Tom. With well-timed non-stop flights from Toronto, it made for a great long weekend getaway with about the right amount of time to explore.

Mar 2

After a comfortable overnight flight from Toronto, we navigated the subway to our hotel in the city centre. We were able to check in early, and got ready to explore the old city on foot. The late winter weather was far more welcoming than the August heat of my last trip. It didn’t stop us, but it was actually quite cool for that time of year in Madrid.

Teatro Real (Opera House) from Plaza de Isabel II

Statue of King Philip III at Plaza Mayor

Tio Pepe sign in Puerta del Sol

Caganer, shop specializing in figurines of famous people, depicted in the act of defecation, appearing in nativity scenes

Almudena Cathedral

After my third attempt, finally made it into the grounds of the Royal Palace of Madrid

Grand staircase leading into the Palace

Painted ceiling of the royal staircase

Discus statue in the Palace

Gala dining room can accommodate up to 140 people

Isabella I of Castile, wife of King Ferdinand II

Ferdinand II of Aragon

One of a number of Stradivari on display in the palace

The Royal Throne

Inside the Almudena Cathedral

Church of San Gines de Arles

Although it had been overcast all day, the rain didn’t really start until we were back at the hotel. We did brave the rains for a quick walk to a nearby restaurant for dinner, and did a little more walking around after dinner when the rain had stopped.

Mar 3

Luckily we had good weather for our second day in Madrid. We chose to focus on architecture, museums, and parks. Having just been there the previous summer, I chose to just return to my favourite art museum, the more modern Reina Sofia.

Goddess Diana, sculpture on the roof of the art deco Hyatt Centric on Gran Via

Continuing to enjoy the architecture of Gran Via

Instituto Cervantes, continuing our architectural tour

Walking the tree-lined Paseo del Prado

Del Prado Museum - enjoyed strictly from the outside

Picasso's incredible and giant Guernica, in the Reina Sofia Museum

Historic museum artifacts

Reina Sofia, interior courtyard

“Carmen” by Alexander Calder, also in the museum courtyard

Church of Saint Genesius

Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales

Plaza de España

Monument to Miguel de Cervantes in Plaza de España

1899 Royal Asturian Mines Company Building

Back at the Royal Palace and fountain of Sabatini Garden

Equestrian statue of Sabatini Gardens

More of the landscaped gardens

Early 20th century Banco Bilbao Vizcaya

The Mercantile and Industrial Bank building

Church of the Calatravas blends in with the nearby buildings

1907 Palacio de Comunicaciones

The Palacio de Comunicaciones interior, used for a number of city exhibits

Current exhibit collecting signs removed from Madrid's streets through the years

Other architectural elements saved from other Madrid buildings

View from the tower of the Palacio de Comunicaciones

Piaza de Cibeles from above

Looking at the intricate details of the building with modern Madrid's high rises in the background

Puerta de Alcala monument

Monument to Alfonso XII in the Park Retiro

Monument to the Fallen for Spain

After enjoying a dinner of Tapas we continue the architecture tour at Palacio de las Cortes

Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree in Puerta del Sol

Late evening crowds in the pedestrian centre

Last chance for pastries at my favourite bakery

After a very full day of walking, eating, drinking and covering Madrid from end to end, we made it back to the hotel for the night.

Mar 4

With a midday flight, we didn’t have a lot of time to explore on our last day. We did get out for a walk, that unfortunately started with a dropped and damaged camera lens. Luckily, the damage didn’t keep Tom from capturing a few photos on our brief walk.

One last view of the Catedral de la Almudena

Mercado de San Miguel, quiet before opening hours

Plaza Mayor before the tourists arrive

After the walk, we packed up and headed on the subway to the airport. After navigating security, we had a bit of time in the lounge before our flight back home to Toronto.