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| Characters from the Velázquez pictures at the Prado. These were on the other side of a very busy road so the picture quality isn't great. but I didn't want to get run over! |
As mentioned in this post, we had a few days in Madrid over half-term as it's sunnier and slightly warmer than it is here. And we wanted to celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary and my 50th Birthday.
Here's what we did:
- Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, a 85,454 all seater stadium and the home of Real Madrid Football Club. The Tubblet and Rev T really enjoyed the tour. Seeing them so happy was lovely.
- Museo Nacional del Prado, one of the finest collections of European art, with works from the 12th century to the early 19th century - Francisco de Goya, Diego Velázquez, El Greco, Titian, Rubens and Bosch. We spent ages in here, and it was absolutely fascinating. We were only defeated by a desire for a drink and sore feet. I think we only saw about a quarter of it.
- Royal Palace of Madrid, the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family.
- Santa María la Real de La Almudena, the Catholic Cathedral.
- Bus tour. Madrid has a few of these. We went on one that had two routes, modern and historical, and did them over two days. This gave us time to get off the bus every so often, potter about and then get back on to go to the next stop whilst seeing lots of the city.
- Madrid Zoo, one of the few zoos with giant pandas. Lovely zoo, with lots of different animals, all of whom looked really well cared for in large, spacious enclosures. There are various ways to get there, including cable car. (I could have done without Rev T reminding me about the end of Where Eagles Dare every so often).
We really enjoyed ourselves. If you're looking for an interesting place to spend a few days with lots to do, friendly people and wonderful food and drink, then Madrid is worth a look.
Have you been to Madrid? Did you enjoy it? Let me know in the comments.
Sharing with all these great Linkys
I've only been to Madrid once. For a hen do. Enough said there I think!
ReplyDeleteWe did do a fantastic night of traditional tapas, a drink and tapas in every single bar we went to. Before hitting a club and dancing the night away. Well before the kiddos arrived on the scene! #FartGlitter
If your hen do was anything like the ones I went to, I'm amazed you can even remember that much! Obviously I was on the soft drinks ... Obviously.
DeleteSounds like a great few days. I've never been to Madrid, actually - it looks lovely. Love the bears, and the rooftop view! #mg
ReplyDeleteAs the toddler thinks pandas are for wearing, please don't take her to the zoo! Save the panda!
DeleteI have never been to Madrid and it looks like there is so much to do there. I hope to get there one day :)
ReplyDeleteHope you get there as it's great!
DeleteHow fun! Madrid is definitely in my top 10 list of places I want to visit--in fact it is probably in the top 5. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHope you make it. It's an amazing place! Thank you for commenting
DeleteYou have some great photos! I've never been to Madrid, it looks lovely. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was, we had a great time. Thank you for commening
DeleteAnywhere with great food, drink and scenery looks good to me. I haven't been there, but I'll pop it on my one day list. Thanks for linking, you have some great photos there. #mg
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting and I'll see you next week :)
DeleteI spent a few days in Madrid several years ago. I loved it. Very pretty and friendly. Looks like you had a fab trip. Congrats on your anniversary and Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to #fartglitter xxx
Thank you :) We had a great time
DeleteI have never been to Madrid but I would love to go one day. Looks like a fab few days, the zoo looks good! #abitofeverything
ReplyDeleteThe zoo is excellent and I really recommend it. They have pandas too!
DeleteWow I'm jealous. I've always wanted to go to Madrid... it's quite a hike from Australia though. I feel silly that I didn't visit when I was in Spain - Barcelona was too much fun! Now I feel even sillier after reading this. Alas, probably won't be up for a big European adventure with two tiny people. One day maybe *stares off wistfully into the middle distance* #abitofeverything
ReplyDeleteWho knows, you may yet still make it even from Australia! Never say never!
DeleteNever been to Madrid but looked like you guys had fun! I so love visiting Art Museums, oh any actually museums in fact. That alone would be enticing enough for me. Hope to see you again at #abitofeverything
ReplyDeleteThere were loads of art museums. We'd have gone to more, but took pity on the Tubblet
DeleteSounds like you had a great time. I love Madrid. It's a great city and not so touristy like Barcelona. We ate lots of tapas, drank red wine and saw an awesome flamenco show. My husband and I also did a great tapas tour called Adventurous Appetities.
ReplyDeleteIf it had just been the two of us, we'd have done a Tapas Tour and a flamenco show, but it's not really Tubblet friendly. (She's 12 and a conservative eater)
DeleteIt looks amazing! We went to Madrid a few years ago - we love Real Madrid so we watched a game at the Santiago Bernabeu and the atmosphere was just electric, never felt anything like it! Fabulous pictures, makes me really want to go back!!! #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely stadium and we went to the restaurant for a snack and it had the most amazing view the pitch. Oh match day it must be fabulous! Glad it bought back happy memories
DeleteI've never been to Madrid but it looks beautiful! Those window / balcony displays are so cool too. :) #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteIt's well worth a visit if you're looking for somewhere to go :) Thank you for commenting
DeleteCongratulations twice! Sounds like a great place to celebrate a birthday, and you don't look 50! #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteThank you! The cheque's in the post ;)
DeleteCongratulations on your special and very memorable occasions. It sounds like you all had such an amazing time experiencing all the wonderful things Madrid has to offer. Unfortunately we have never been but who knows maybe one day we might find ourselves there.xx #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteI hope so as it's a great place to go!
DeleteLooks great, I've never been to Madrid but I'd love to go. Looks like you made the most of your time there and Happy Birthday! #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteWe did! Thank you for commenting :)
DeleteI've been to Barcelona a couple of times but not Madrid. City bus tours are great aren't they. You certainly managed to fit in a lot. It looks like you had a great time #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteWe want to go Barcelona next. Bus tours are a great way to see a place. We did the one in Cape Town too and it was excellent. Thank you for commenting
DeleteWhat a great way to celebrate! Glad you had a fun time and lovely seeing pictures of you all. Incidentally read your comment about Barcelona - one of my absolutely fav cities! There is an awesome city bus tour there incidentally. Thanks for linking up at #sharethejoy x
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting and have a lovely week
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