Madrid - Parque De El Retiro, Sol, Gran Via

18.07.2017 - 26.07.2017 30 °C
View Our Journey on DarrenAmal's travel map.

We spent the day exploring Madrid, equipped with maps given to us by Raul. We were advised to buy a travel card, for 10 euros which allowed us to have 10 trips (similar system to the Oyster card used in London). We caught the train to Atocha (only 1 stop away). We walked up the Paseo Del Prado and saw the Museo Nacional Del Prado, Museo Naval and the Palacio De Cibeles Centrocentro. This building (the Palacio De Cibeles Centrocento) had a massive banner at the top stating "Refugees Welcome", which was generating a crowd and a lot of attention. We turned right to head towards Parque De El Retiro (number 1 thing to do in Madrid according to TripAdvisor) where we saw a huge arc called Pueta De Alcala in the Plaza de la Independance. We head into the Parque De El Retiro, retracing our footsteps from when we went to Madrid a few years ago. We saw the Monumento Alfonso XII, which had a massive lake in front, where tourist were renting boats. Within the park, we also saw the Palacio De Valazquez, which was free to enter. We went inside where there was an 'art' exhibition. We did not understand it, there was coloured cloth on the floor and on the walls, folded in different ways. People seemed to be taking it seriously, but Amal and I just did not get it, so we left. It was pleasant to enter solely for the air conditioning. We walked down towards the Palacio De Cristal (still based within the park). Here it was very peaceful, a 'crystal palace' which looked like an over-exaggerated conservatory. Surrounded by a lake, filled with fish, turtles, ducks, white and black swans. We sat here for a moment of peace. We went to walk out of the park, where we passed the Estatua Del Angel Caido ( a statue of an angel), where many people were skating and cycling around it. We walked out of the park and head towards Atocha station, where we passed an outside book market.

We got to Atocha station and head towards Sol (1 stop away). We were familiar with Sol already, having previously stayed here, but we never had the opportunity to explore. Amal had not had a drink yet and fancied a Belgian beer, we typed it into Google, and found one about 5 minutes walk away, near, the Plaza Mayor. A traditional Belgian Bar called CafeeKe, I ordered La Chouffe and Amal had a Kriek. A home comfort, that we have always loved since visiting Belgium, we usually try and find a Belgian Bar wherever we are. We walked around the streets around Sol and Gran Via, full of shops, restaurants, and bars.
Ministerio de Agricultura, Madrid