Spain and Portugal 2026 – what’s not to like? Part Two Madrid

Hola !

Well after a couple of fun filled, crazy days in Bangkok we had an early start today to get to the airport for our 6:45am flight to Madrid via Istanbul.

That meant a 3:00am cab from our hotel 🤦‍♂️

All good though as the traffic was light and we arrived right on time for check in to open.

This is our first experience flying with Turkish Airlines and everything went like clockwork.

We transited in Istanbul and we have never ever seen such a busy airport. There were maybe five million people in the airport going somewhere. It was bizarre. We had time to sit and have a drink and people watch.

Our connecting flight departed on time and a quick four hour flight got us into Madrid at around 10pm. The new European security protocols weren’t working, so a bit of a wait to get through customs and immigration but then straight into a cab.

Cabs are very organised and offer a set rate €33 fare into the city. Very civilised. About 20 minutes ride and it was just after 11pm and the streets were alive with people out and about.

Our apartment is on one of the main roads Gran Via in an area called Centro. As the name suggests it’s really well located with access to all parts of Madrid at our doorstep.

After a fabulous night sleep we headed off for a walk around to get quail ted with the area. It was pretty cold , around 10deg c but felt colder. and bizarrely mid morning saw next to no one on the streets.

The rain threatened and by the time we arrived in the historical area of town the skies opened and bucketed down. And the temp dropped. It was serious rain.

Fortunately we had gotten to an area called Plaza Mayor which is a significant area for politics and meeting places.

Brilliant plaza with ornate buildings wrapped around d the square.

Right outside is one of the more famous markets in Madrid called El Mercado de San Miguel which was built in the early 1900s as a general food and produce market in the centre of the city.

The wrought iron needs to be seen to be believed and now it has been transformed into one of the world’s most famed gastronomical markets.

There are now over 30 food and produce stalls all offering the freshest, tastiest food options Madrid has to offer. All in “tapas” or small plate sizes. Iberico ham, cheeses, empanadas, millions of bite sized tapas, seafood and drinks – you name it.

What a place ! and each item of food costs just a few Euro. Perfect.

After a snack or two and a beer we set off again in the lighter rain and explored the town by bus. Not ideal in the weather but we had a good look around.

We got wet. Haha super wet so by around ;pm we headed back to the apartment to get changed and recharge.

One of the highlights of visiting Spain is the magnificent food on offer. They eat late – most restaurants or tapas bars don’t even open until 8pm.

We’d been told about a tapas street called Calle Cava de Baja which runs along the line of where the traditional moat lay, protecting the city centuries around 500 years ago.

The most was removed and in its place were built lodgings, stables and markets. Now on this short street of approx 300m there are no less than 50+ Tapas Bars – the highest density of bars in a single street in Europe.

We got there at around 8:30pm and even then the place was buzzing – some bars were full of patrons and some just opening up.

Which bar to choose? Well, traditional says you try one bar have a bite to eat and a drink and move onto another and another.

We chose a tapas bar that had a table near the window so we could people watch. The menu was filled with small dish options for sharing. This is just part of the menu.

And the drinks are insane

The most traditional drink in Madrid is “Vermut” or red vermouth. And each bar makes their own and has it on tap – or “Grifo”. Similarly they offer their own wines and fabulous beers.

So we ordered one of each ☺️

And all three were superb – especially the vermut so we had a few more.

we opted for a plate of mixed Iberian meats- jamon, chorizo, pork and beef salamis. Just magnificent.

To go with that we chose some pork albondigas (meat balls) in a vegetable broth with fried potatoes (patat) and likewise they were melt in your mouth beautiful.

Before too long the bar was packed to the rafters and a bloke started playing guitar and singing traditional Spanish songs. Until ….. he sang John Denver “Country Roads” and a group of American visitors lead the singalong. It was actually pretty fun.

And we didn’t leave and go to another bar – we sat and drank more And laughed and had a ball until we left a few hours later. We slept well.

We’ll come back tomorrow for another visit in another bar.

A new day dawned grey and miserable but not as cold. We had bought tickets to a couple of the most famous and esteemed Art Galleries in not only Madrid but the World.

Our first visit was to the Reina Sofia Museum of National art.

Timing was good for us as it started raining just as we entered the gallery. This gallery is more focused on modern art and has some impressive works by Dali and Picasso which were fabulous to see

All of these by the mad man Salvador Dali.

The big ticket here is no doubt Picasso’s masterpiece “Guernica”

It’s massive ! Takes up the entire wall and like Mona Lisa it has its own room and people stand 10 deep trying to get the best view (and photo)

Our afternoon visit was to the world famous Prado. Tickets and entry is strictly timed but very well organised.

Although once inside it is an absolute train wreck as far as organisation is concerned. There is totally zero common sense about the layout and how to get to each area. It’s almost hard to believe.

But – the art works are next level and no wonder this Art Gallery/Museum is ranked as one of the worlds best.

We saw some of the most iconic and famous art works in history – most have no photography allowed which is totally understandable but it was a wonderful afternoon.

So a full day of culture and art meant beer time. Lots of beer time. So we walked across town back to the Taps street we visited last night – Calle de Cava Baja – and we did it again.

Tonight we found a new place (not difficult with 50+ to choose from.

And it was awesome. Again.

Beer, vermut and some magnificent Iberian ham croquettes (which we ate too quickly to photograph) and pork cheeks. Oh my stars ! How can this taste so good !