Must Visit: Madrid

Madrid, Spain, that imperial capital of when our country was a Spanish colony. It still is an important city in this day and age. Madrid is the third largest city in Europe behind Berlin and London. Madrid is a major financial center in Europe too and the largest in Spain. Despite Barcelona hosting the 1992 Summer Olympics, Madrid still holds its own. It is Spain’s capital and is home to beautiful architecture as well like in Barcelona. So, i was expecting this and more when i went to Spain months ago.

First info i got from the Filipino community ( of which there is a sizable community, i’ve been told) is that Madrid is notable for its nightlife and night clubs. On weekends, Madrilenians (Madrid natives are called) especially the youth, dance all night long, stopping only to go home, take a shower, shave (or not), and go to work. What is also popular is the practice of meeting in parks or streets with friends and drinking alcohol together in what is called a ‘botellón.’ This practice though has been outlawed already. We have really taken on so much from our Spanish forefathers, because this practice is actually also practiced here in the entire archipelago albeit until BF’s ascendancy.

While in Madrid, aside from the clubs (!), i also went to Las Ventas, Spain’s largest bullring. Yes, you heard it right, i watched the world famous bullfight. The Las Ventas was some ginormous structure capable of holding i was told 25,000 souls. When bullfighting is not in season, concerts are the rage in the Las Ventas.

I am also impressed of Madrid’s Barajas International Airport. Ours just paled in comparison and would have looked a dwarf. Or a midget. Even the new airport would not be able to compare with Barajas. Madrid is like walking through an old kingdom but is also interspersed with new architecture that i was fascinated about too. I thought the Puerta De Europa was like two Leaning Tower of Pisa buildings but only two leaning modern buildings.

There are so many things to see in Madrid. It was very Europe! Old world elegance with the twist of the modern world. So charming. It was like a different world. It has a different flavor than other European capitals too. It is truly a crown jewel on the Spanish Kingdom. I’m so proud that Queen Sofia of Spain went and braved the wilderness called Greenhills and bought Philippine South Sea Pearls!

Madrid is affordable too, there are Madrid Hotels for every budget. There are many Hotels to choose from, from luxury to budget ones. I would love to return to Madrid again, hopefully soon.