Visiting Madrid - What a Beautiful City!

I left the resort in Mijas, right outside of Malaga and took a train to Madrid. I don't know what I expected but I was surprised to see a large bustling very modern city that reminds me of New York City. I took a train from the train station to the Sol station. I walked out into the sunlight in a very busy circle of people and businesses.

Beautiful water fountain in the center of the circle of Sol

Sol metro station

People milling about the Sol area

It is absolutely gorgeous! I will definitely be back when I have more time. I would like to spend a week here to get the full flavor of the city.

Building across from the Congress building

I am leaving in the morning to go back to the United States so my time here is very short.

Gorgeous architectural designs

Thriving business area

My hotel was right around the corner and down the street from the Congress building.

I was able to catch the Metro train from the major train station and then walk the short distance to my hotel.

My dessert after dinner. My first time eating dessert in weeks.

The architecture here is fabulous and so is the food. Oh my goodness! There are so many tempting dishes, desserts, meats, wines, etc. displayed in the windows.

Meat for sale

Restaurants available up and down the street

People are also on the street passing out advertisements trying to get tourists to stop by their restaurants. I decided on a smaller restaurant that locals frequest that sold seafood paella. Almost all of the restaurants sell that dish, but their prices are very different.

Inside the restaurant where I ate dinner.

The wine that was recommended by the server was absolutely wonderful!

I went into an Apple store when we arrived in the city center to get some WIFI access so that I could get directions to my hotel which was very close.

Beautiful hotel with a very modern upscale design

The salesperson also gave me very good advice about how to avoid the tourist restaurants with the higher prices and gave suggestions for places where the Spanish people eat.

View outside the restaurant where I ate dinner.

I ordered dessert at my hotel when I finished my photo shoot around this area.

This peacock is on the bar in my hotel. This is where I ordered my dessert and hot lemon ginger tea.

It is time to settle down and relax since I will be catching a plane in the morning back to the United States. This has been a wonderful vacation. I hope that you enjoyed the views. I did.