MADRID, DAY 1
Last night I arrived at Madrid, the airport being slightly further from the airport, taking an hour on the metro and changing twice.
IT WAS HERE I DISCOVERED THE PHENOMENON OF ICE CREAM TOASTIES
Checked into Mola hostel, expensive but right in the centre. It appears that most hostels in the big European cities are expensive but a much improved bed situation here than last night in Brussels. Not to mention I had all 8 beds to myself. The hostel is clean and offers a very decent all you can eat breakfast for €7 including Europe’s famous raw sausages!
WHERE IS MADRID?
WALK AROUND
After some food and extending my stay to tomorrow it was off to see the sights! A quick walk to plaza mayor before it got busy, onto Mercado de San Miguel to check it out for tonight and then towards the Cathedral and the Palace. There is a triathlon tomorrow so the area is getting prepped and the queue for the palace is horrendous, something I’ll hit up tomorrow instead.
THE BERNABÉU
Being a big football fan I wasn’t going to miss a tour of Real Madrid’s stadium, Santiago Bernabéu, one I haven’t seen before and known to be one the best in the world. The tour was actually very good with plenty to see. It takes you from the top of one stand to the bottom of the other, a great feeling to know you have explored the entire place rather than a few rooms of trophies. The stadium is incredible and reminded me of Boca Juniors stadium (Le bomberna) in Buenos Aires the way the stands are incredibly close to the pitch. Didn’t get to see a game as it’s Sunday football here I’m off at 7pm.
MORE LIME BIKES
Met up with a friend from home for some paella at Plaza Mayor, an absolute tourist trap but nowhere better to have a beer and people watch. He had also taken a liking for these lime bikes so I ventured out got a new one and met up with them at Mercado de San Miguel and then off to El Retiro Park which is as afar as parks go, is exceptional. I’m not a huge park fan by any means but it was certainly worthwhile visiting. After an ice cream I dropped the boys off and I headed back to the hostel for a shower and then back to Mercado de San Miguel!
MERCADO DO SAN MIGUEL
This place must not be missed. It’s more expensive because it’s full of tourists and in the middle of the city but the choice of food is insane. I would imagine there to be other similar options as well for slightly cheaper but can’t imagine the choice would be the same. I’ve tried everything, cheese and bread, tacos, pastries and ice cream toastys! I’ll be back tomorrow as my flight is in the evening.
NEXT UP
The Palace tomorrow and then flying to Mali. Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
130/229
This post is part of the West Africa Series, pt1, click to explore or for episode 1 click here.
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.
