Madrid trip: the Spanish capital with royal style and modern style
# Sign up for hotel trial sleepers in December
Among the many charming capitals in Europe, Madrid may not be the oldest, most romantic or most spectacular, but it has a unique charm. As the political, economic and cultural center of Spain, this city perfectly combines royal style and modern urban style, while retaining strong traditional Spanish characteristics. During my one-week trip to Madrid, I fell deeply in love with this vibrant city.
Getting to know Madrid for the first time
After arriving at Barajas International Airport, we took the metro to our hotel in the city center. Madrid has one of the most developed metro systems in Europe. It is clean, fast and well connected, making it an ideal means of transportation to get around the city.
After settling our luggage, we couldn't wait to explore the city. The first stop is Paseo del Prado, this famous boulevard is the most important cultural and artistic center in Madrid. We first visited the Museo del Prado, one of the most important art museums in the world. The museum has a large collection of fine European paintings from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, especially works from the Spanish, Italian and Dutch schools. We admired Velasquez's "La Las Meninas", Goya's "Nude Maha" and other masterpieces, and were deeply shocked by these artistic treasures.
After leaving the Prado Museum, we walked along the Prado Avenue, admiring the tree-lined and elegant buildings on both sides. In the evening, we arrived at Plaza de Cibeles, one of the iconic landmarks of Madrid. The Cibeles Fountain sculpture in the center of the square is lifelike, surrounded by several magnificent buildings, the most eye-catching of which is the Cibeles Palace (Palacio de Cibeles), now the seat of Madrid City Hall.
The first day of the trip ended with a typical Spanish dinner. We tasted the famous Spanish ham, seafood risotto (paella) and crispy churros con chocolate, and experienced the culinary charm of Madrid.