I’ve been procrastinating writing my “goodbye, Madrid” blog post for several weeks now. I didn’t need to sit down with my therapist to figure out why I was avoiding writing as if it was the black plague (AKA seeing Clarks Moccasins on the streets of New York in 2024). Finalizing this post means Madrid is over and I become just as infuriating to be around as every other abroad girl who can’t stop talking about her five months outside of the United States.
No one wants to hear my sob story, so I won’t include how Madrid is the best city in the entire world. I stayed with the most wonderful family, ate incredible food, and spent my days drinking coffee at 2pm and wine at 5pm. I know … my life sounds really, really hard. Here are ten things I learned in Madrid:
Dinner should never be earlier than 9pm. After work or school, you owe it to yourself to relax and live your life. Hell, even throw on an episode of Real Housewives! You don’t live to work, you work to live, mamacita.
My Zara addiction only grew stronger and flourished with more intensity than I have ever experienced before. Quitting cold turkey has been challenging. Don’t indulge!
There is a huge population of Madrileños who dress business casual. Avoid!!!!! Longchamps!!!! At!!!!! All!!!! Costs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wine is the Spanish equivalent of milk - it helps your bones grow strong and your stomachs grow thicker.
Eat croquetas or tortillas every single day. Eat until you can’t stand. Eat like you do on Thanksgiving when your grandma brings out her seven different pies. Don’t. Stop. Eating. No explanation needed.
Capsule wardrobes are BS. I went with one bag and came back with 1,000. The Spanish streets deserve to see your gorgeous outerwear!
Just because the sun rises doesn’t mean you should go home. Danze, baby, danze.
The people make the city. Walk everywhere, talk to everyone. Nowhere in the world will you find such nice and interesting people as you do in Madrid. Ask them about their lives!!! Give them a few besitos!!!
The metro is the most magical, wonderful place in the world. You wait no more than three minutes for a beautifully clean, lit, and comfortable train to whisk you into a new neighborhood. You’ll probably get serenaded with live music, or if you’re lucky, hear a cute baby learning how to speak Spanish.
And finally … I learned that New York City isn’t the epicenter of all urban life. I may even say that Madrid is a tier above NYC when it comes to quality of life, food, and people.
So yes, I’ve fallen in love (sorry John Krasinski, you’re no longer my number one). And now, as I valiantly pass the torch to others about to experience this wonderful city, here are some of my favorite places to muse, ponder, quarrel, squabble, journal, read, dance, etc.
Museums (in order of greatness)
Sorolla Museum
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Reina Sofia
El Prado
CaixaForum
Upscale Restaurants
Casa Lúcio (a Madrid classic where all presidents and famous people eat)
Celso y Manolo
Sacha
Sua
Éter
Kuoco 360
Juana La Loca
Casa Macareno
Bites & Cafés
Casa Dani (for tortilla and croquetas)
Osom Café (get the brunch bowl)
Etual Café (get the lemon cake)
Motteau Pasteleria
Hanso Café
Toma Café
Café de la Luz (can also go for drinks)
Nomade Café
Oink Bocadillo (open 24 hours!)
Chocolatería San Ginés
Food Markets
Mercado San Fernando
Mercado Anton Martin
Mercado San Miguel
Yatai Market
Mercado de Motores (only happens twice a month)
Bars & Dancing
La Via Lactea
La Alquimia Vinos (bring a deck of cards to this wine bar!)
El Imperfecto (get the passion fruit margarita)
TupperWare
Classic clubs (sorry mom!) …. Istar, Toyroom, Barceló, Kapital, Icon, Medias Puri, Cuenca, etc…
Shopping!
Magpie
Denim store across from Magpie (chefs kiss**)
Magro Cardona
Noc Noc
Kinda Kinks
Amlul (on one of my favorite streets)
Aramayo Vintage Clothing
Favorite Hidden Spots
Convent cookies in La Latina
Rose garden in El Retiro
Secret garden in Plaza de la Paja
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