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    • All Balot Bohol Boracay Cebu city El Nido Malapascua Manila Palawan Panglao Port Barton San Fernando
      El Nido

      El Nido and the Bacuit Bay

      March 26, 2009

      Port Barton

      Port Barton and the Pagdanan Bay

      November 8, 2008

      Palawan

      Coco Loco island and resort

      October 9, 2008

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      El Nido and the Bacuit Bay

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      El Nido and the Bacuit Bay

      March 26, 2009

      Palawan

      Coco Loco island and resort

      October 9, 2008

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      December 23, 2007

      Port Barton

      Port Barton and the Pagdanan Bay

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      San Fernando Crucifixions 2008

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Vincent Vanderveken.com

Take some time to see the world a bit before you leave it

Madrid

Week-end in Madrid

by Vincent March 15, 2008
by Vincent March 15, 2008 10 comments
Jazz concert in Madrid's Cafe Central

Madrid being the capital and biggest city of Spain with around 3.5 Million inhabitants you might feel overwhelmed at 1st by the amount of things to see and do on a short week-end trip. You sure won’t be able to visit all of the museums, galleries, palaces, parks, architectural sights, Churches, Cathedrals, etc. it has to offer. Instead of running a marathon, take your time, one of the great things about Madrid is its easygoing atmosphere. If you want to get the most out of the city do just how the Madrilenos do by taking things slowly with lots of coffee breaks and long lunches spread throughout the day.


Aerial view on the final approach to Madrid

Aerial view on the final approach to Madrid

Arriving in Madrid at the Bus terminal I was so pleasantly surprised by the 21°c that I made it this my first picture. Since temperature does play a role on how you will enjoy a trip I couldn’t be happier for what still is an early month of March. Downtown Madrid can be easily reached from the Airport with public transportations in about 10 to 15 minutes for only 1€ . Look either for the Metro line 8 that will drop you off at the Nuevos Ministerios station or take bus number 200 outside of the terminal 1 and 2 that will get you to Avenida de America station.

Arriving in Madrid at the Bus terminal

The Plaza de Cibeles where you can see the Palacio de Comunicaciones (Communications Palace) building in the back. More known by the locals as the General Post Office this extraordinary building was made by Architects Antonio Palacios and Joaquin Otamendi. The influences of this palaces range from Romanesque, Renaissance Gothic, Art Deco and Spanish Plateresque.

Plaza de Cibeles where you can see the Palacio de Comunicaciones

In the middle of the Square is the statue of Cybele the Phrygian goddess in a chariot pulled by lions

 middle of the Square is the statue of Cybele the Phrygian goddess in a chariot pulled by lions

The Metropolis is another one of best known architectural sights of the Madrid. The building was designed in 1905 by French Architect Jules et Raymond Février for an Insurance company.

The Metropolis in Madrid

The highlight is the dome that glows in the sunlight and its winged statue on top

The Metropolis dome Madrid

Parque Del Retiro’s boating lake in front of the Monument to Alfonso XII. This large park of 350 acres when it first opened in 1767 was only the playground royalty and aristocracy. Ordinary Madrilenos and visitors has to wait another hundred years before the gates were opened to them.

Parque Del Retiro's boating lake in front of the Monument to Alfonso XII.

Monument in honor of Jacinto Benavente (1922 Literature Nobel Prize) in Parque Del Retiro

Monument in honor of Jacinto Benavente (1922 Literature Nobel Prize) in Parque Del Retiro

Home to one of the best arts collections is the Prado Museum. Top on the list of most tourists attractions it boats over 9000 paintings with most famous by: Velázquez, Titan, Goya, Bosch, El Greco, Rubens, Raffael, Tintoretto. Admission: 6€ Mon-Sat (Free on Sundays).

 Prado Museum

A view of the busiest streets of the city: Gran Via

A view of the busiest streets of the city: Gran Via

Quite a contrast with this colorful quiet little side street

quiet little side street Madrid

The Palacio Real: Madrid’s famous Royal Palace with no less than 2800 rooms is considered one of Europe’s most spectacular architectural monument achievements. Open to the public 7 days a week with an admission charge of 8€ (9€ guided tours). Free on Wednesday for EU citizens.

The Palacio Real

The Royal Palace seen from the Sabatini Gardens

The Royal Palace seen from the Sabatini Gardens

The bear and the Strawberry Tree at Puerta del Sol. The statue that symbolizes the city “El Oso y El Madroño”. Madrid’s name even comes from the name of the plant “madroño”.

The bear and the Strawberry Tree at Puerta del Sol

King Carlos III’s statue again at Puerta del Sol

 King Carlos III's statue again at Puerta del Sol

The San Jeronimo church (15th Century)

The San Jeronimo church (15th Century)

Eucharistic celebration going on inside San Jeronimo church

Eucharistic celebration going on inside San Jeronimo church

Some of Madrid’s café and tapas bars

 Madrid's café and tapas bars
Cafe Vinoteca Madrid

Madrid’s most popular square: The Plaza Major

The Plaza Major

Capable of holding 50 000 people it was built on a grand scale. During its history it has been used(not in order)as: A market, open-air theater, bullfighting ring, a place where executions and tournaments were held though nowadays its mainly used as a place to relax in the sun…

The Pbusy laza Major

Statue of King Philip III and its fabulously painted bright red facades of Plaza Major in the back

Statue of King Philip III and its fabulously painted bright red facades of Plaza Major in the back

Catedral de la Almudena

Catedral de la Almudena

Entering from one side

Catedral de la Almudena closeup

The Gothic interior

Catedral de la Almudena inside

Exiting from the other side facing the Palacio Real

Exiting from the other side facing the Palacio Real

 The Plaza de la villa with at its center the statue of Admiral Alvaro de Bazan who was made famous for defeating the turks in 1571 at Lapano.


 Plaza de la villa with at its center the statue of Admiral Alvaro de Bazan

Art can sometimes be found everywhere… don’t forget to take a look on the top of some buildings

Art can sometimes be found everywhere... don't forget to take a look on the top of some buildings

On top of the BBVA bank is an odd sight of two horse pulled chariot sculptures

 BBVA bank is an odd sight of two horse pulled chariot sculptures

Close up on one of horses


Time for a much deserved break in this fine looking establishment…

Fatigas del querero seen from outside madrid

Some good wine and as always drinks are accompanied with some free tapas

 drinks are accompanied with some free tapas in Madrid cafe

The feel from the interior on one side

The decor of Madrid's cafe seen from the interior on one side

and another

The decor of Madrid's cafe seen from the interior

Monastery of the Incarnation dating from 1611

Monastery of the Incarnation

The Puerta de Alcalá located in the middle of Independence Square was designed in 1769 by Francesco Sabatini

Puerta de Alcalá  in Madrid

Welcome to the “Museo del Jamón” or Museum of ham where you can sample just about any kind of ham possible at the counter

Museo del Jamón

Take-outs area

take out area Museo del Jamón

The Real de Calatravas church 17th century church

Real de Calatravas church

La latina district located in the center of Madrid is know for its cafés

La latina district located in the center of Madrid

and good restaurants

La Chata  restaurant Madrid

Streets around la Latina

Streets around la Latina

This café gave me some souvenirs from the Philippines and its San Miguel beer I hadn’t tasted since…

 San Miguel barrels on ceiling

The Café central Jazz club is rated one of the finest in Europe and since it opened its doors in 1980 booked some of the top international acts. Shows 7 days a week in an exceptional setting for 10€

Café central Jazz club Madrid convert

The best place to start your day on a Sunday morning in Madrid would the be Spain’s most popular open air flea market: El Rastro

open air flea market: El Rastro
El Rastro market
El Rastro market trinkets

Catedral de la AlmudenaCityEuropemadridPalacio RealParque Del RetiroPlaza MajorSpain
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10 comments

MadridCityPhotos July 6, 2008 - 12:06 pm

The Gardens of Sabatini is nice place to visit.

Reply
Noelia August 29, 2008 - 7:20 pm

Spectacular photography – it takes you to the spot with the sunshine, the smells, the sounds, everything. A work of beauty, thanks fo sharing!

Reply
George September 9, 2008 - 2:12 pm

Wonderful city!
U need at least 7 or more days in order to see and understand all these museums,plazas,
clubs,etc etc
An unforgetable experience though!
Chreers

Reply
Gabrielle January 7, 2009 - 3:59 pm

Thank you for fantastic presentation.
I have lived in Madrid many years ago, now I am working as a Spanish teacher in Norway and I must admit: I used some of you pictures in class:-)
They are so much better than the others I have found.
How I miss it!

Reply
Highland Club April 9, 2009 - 4:22 pm

Looking through the pictures i got the impression Madrid is a very pompous, traditional city. the buildings, the architecture are classical, sometimes with barocco elements style. i got the feeling of peace, and dignity.

Reply
Jacqueline May 3, 2009 - 6:54 am

Bravo!!! You did an outstanding presentation with those beautiful photos and the brief description to each of them. Absolutely, Madrid is an awesome place; no wonder it’s consider, according to the statistics, the second most visited city in Europe. Last year I had the blessing of visiting that beautiful land. VIVA ESPANA !!!

Reply
Marie June 2, 2009 - 6:54 pm

i loved the pictures of Madrid, great tour for the nostalgic traveler. We stayed in Apartamentos Plaza Basilica for a whole week thanks to our Royal holiday club points and we enjoyed our stay so much. Your great pictures helped me remember the great food and wine and the people’s warmth. Thank you for a wonderful trip through memory lane.

Reply
aysha August 23, 2009 - 11:12 pm

dude that was totally awesome! now i think id like to go there!

Reply
Paul Koehler February 19, 2010 - 7:29 pm

I was in Madrid about the same time last year and took photos of many of the same locales and almost to the exact angle. Madrid is a beautiful city with a great transportation system. I like to go back and see what I missed the first time such as the Museo del Jamon! Que tenga Bon Dia!

Pablo

Reply
Edificios más espectaculares de Madrid - Free Touring Blog (ES) January 26, 2017 - 2:33 am

[…] Imagen del bloguero de viajes Vincent Vanderveken […]

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