Our recent trip to Spain and Portugal began in Madrid, with just a few days scheduled there before we embarked on our road trip. We managed to squeeze quite a bit of sightseeing into those two days, especially considering we spent half of one day trying to figure out where my delayed suitcase was and when it would be delivered.

On Sunday afternoon we took advantage of our airport-area hotel’s free shuttle into central Madrid. While the shuttle only operates on weekends and holidays, we found it provided us a quicker ride into town than the Metro would have and deposited us right in front of the Puerta de Alcalá   in the Plaza de Independencia. We strolled up Calle Alcalá toward the Plaza Puerto del Sol. Where the Gran Viá intersects with Alcalá we admired several beautiful buildings: Iglesia de San José   and two Beaux Arts beauties, the Edificio Metrópolis       and this flatiron standout, the Banesto Building.    On this beautiful warm evening, the setting sun and light clouds provided beautiful backdrops.

Upon reaching the Plaza del Sol, we took in some of the entertaining street artists (statue-like tableaux were quite popular)  and did a little people-watching before heading up one of the side streets in search of sustenance. A welcoming-looking little alley featuring a number of tapas bars with outdoor seating lured us in,   and we were soon settled at a table, ordering cervezas and a selection of shared plates.

Once full, we headed back toward our shuttle pick-up spot, taking plenty of time to take photos of the beautiful, well-lit buildings. For sheer size and impressiveness, the Palacio de Cibeles CentroCentro took the prize,  framing the lovely Fuente de Cibeles dominating the plaza before it.

The next day we took the Metro in to town, emerging at the Ópera station not far from the Teatro Real   and the Palacio Real. We were delighted to discover a unique double-decker carousel just north of the palace  and then strolled along the exterior of the building (a tour would come another day). The massive Catedral de la Almudena impressed both in its size and in the exquisite details of its doors and interior.   Again, we didn’t pause for long, seeking just to get a good lay of the land for the three days we’d planned for the end of our trip here. We struck out along Calle Major, planning to meet up with our friends at Plaza Mayor      before settling on a dinner spot.

They suggested we take a slight detour to visit the Mercado San Miguel,    a spot our daughter and husband had visited a few years ago and highly recommended. Madrid boasts several neighborhood mercados, with individual vendors offering fresh fruit and produce, jamón (literally on the hoof!), seafood,    poultry, cheeses and various cured meats, sweets and sauces. San Miguel offers a hip, bright, modern take on the traditional market, with wine and spirits bars sharing space with dessert counters,   tapas vendors    and tall counters and tables at which crowds of folks of all ages (but decidedly skewed toward millennials) visit and sip their drinks.   We strolled the circuit before choosing our drinks and goodies     to stave off hunger before a late dinner.

That night we decided to visit a restaurant that boasted prize-winning paella, located not far from our tapas spot of the night before. Here on a late September evening we enjoyed the mild air and dining under the stars. The paella proved delicious and a feast for the eyes and palate.    As we wandered back to the Metro station beneath Plaza del Sol, we patted ourselves on the back for gaining a good overview of Madrid in such a short while. Knowing there was much more to see, we felt ready to tackle that on our return, already comfortable with the subway system and our mental map of the city.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor