One of the top foodie hotspots in Madrid is, rather surprisingly a massive food court on top of a department store. The El Corte Inglés Gourmet Experience overlooks Plaza Callao and has incredible views of downtown Madrid. This cornucopia of edible delights is free to visit and features a wide range of traditional Spanish foodsContinue reading “Food glorious food”
Tag Archives: Madrid
Painted wonders
A quick brain dump of some of the painted delights that adorn the roller shutters and walls of Madrid. This particular collection are advertising a local garage and feature a range of cars. There is also a vegetarian restaurant showcasing its veggy delights via the medium of paint.
Maze of markets
Madrid has a host of markets to enjoy and El Rasto is one of the best known and well established. It’s a transient flea market that offers a wide range of goods from clothes to traditional food and random antiques. Stalls are grouped by goods for sale, whether it’s antique books, weird object d’art orContinue reading “Maze of markets”
More Madrid
We wave off the architectural delights of Segovia with a HUGE cream bun and head back to the colourful streets of Madrid. Around the Malasaña district where we’re staying there’s endless odd artworks to be found. I enjoy a potter past this rather odd mural featuring, of all things, an apple core and a ratherContinue reading “More Madrid”
Madrid madness
Another quick romp through some of the colourful street scenes of Madrid. From traditional tiles and window boxes to more modern expressions of creativity. Moulin Rouge style ladies to a rather disturbing cat portrait! There’s a plethora of art on hand to entertain, perplex or deconstruct.
Colour splash
The streets of Madrid are literally awash with a myriad of colourful artworks, from abstract splashes of rainbow hues to detailed murals. Every wall, window and wall is an open air gallery just begging to be snapped. Metal roller shutters that act as security for shops also double as gallery fronts, sometimes sanctioned, sometimes not!Continue reading “Colour splash”
Back Atocha!
Madrid’s Atocha train station has a verdant surprise awaiting the unsuspecting traveller with a lovely tropical garden inhabiting what was once a train shed that opened in 1892. It had its tracks removed in 1992 and is now a lush garden complete with a rehomed turtle pool (minus its inhabitants who were relocated in 2018Continue reading “Back Atocha!”
Books, beautiful books.
As we leave Retiro park I stumble upon this bibliophile’s dream! Open air book stalls in weathered little cabins . . . . You can find this cornucopia of the written word on a small pedestrian street known as the Cuesta de Moyano. Running down from El Retiro Park to the Glorieta de Carlos VContinue reading “Books, beautiful books.”
El Retiro Park
We’re heading to check out El Retiro Park, the largest park in Madrid, with lakes, formal gardens and glass houses. The park belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until the late 19th century, when it became a public park. In the heart of the park is a large lake that was built by the architect, CristobalContinue reading “El Retiro Park”
Religious stuff
There’s lots of beautiful churches and chapels to be discovered as you trot around Madrid. From hyper realistic, and somewhat gory, statuary to beautiful gilding and all colours of the rainbow. I love the over the top decoration of the Catholic churches, especially the ornate halos of the Virgin Mary. A little bit heavenly, justContinue reading “Religious stuff”