Madrid musings | The West Australian
They say the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain — but today it’s also chucking it down in the nation’s capital, Madrid.
A bit of rain usually doesn’t worry me but since it’s my first time in the city, I must admit to being a tad disappointed. I only have a day-and-a-half in town, and want to make the most of it.
My usual plan of just winging it when it comes to choosing which attractions to visit on arrival is not really working out for me on this occasion.
Skip-the-line tickets to two of my picks, the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum, are sold out, and I don’t fancy standing in line for hours in the pouring rain.
So, what to do?
I decide to buy a ticket to ride one of the hop-on, hop-off buses that circulate in the city centre. It seems a good option. I can get a running commentary and suss out the lie of the land while the rain persists, and decide what I want to see once it clears a bit.
I choose Madrid City Tour on the recommendation of the helpful Jeifrey at the VP Plaza Espana reception desk, who tells me they are the best because they offer two circle routes that include all the popular sights.
A 48-hour ticket that covers me for the two days I’m in town costs €33 ($55), which seems a reasonable investment. “You can catch the bus just across the road. Just scan this QR code to activate it,” says Jeifrey, as he hands me the ticket.
I head back up to my room to pack a daypack, and 10 minutes later I’m on the bus listening to the commentary through my headset.
As we roll through the wet city streets, I’m introduced to one attraction after another.
I spy the Templo de Debod, an Egyptian temple from the second century BC surrounded by gardens. It was donated to Spain by the Egyptian government to prevent it from being flooded after the construction of the Aswan Dam.
Then it’s the magnificent Royal Palace, the Cathedral De La Almundena and the adjacent parkland, Campo del Moro.
Camera IconLa Latina neighbourhood in Madrid, seen from the hop-on, hop-off bus. Credit: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
The attractions continue outside the bus window. We pass through a nice-looking neighbourhood called La Latina which, my earworm tells me, hosts a popular flea market called El Rastro every Sunday — even though the market is not on while I’m in town, I make a mental note to check out the neighbourhood if time permits. The Spanish clearly like their monuments. Nearly every major roundabout along our route has some sort of monument or fountain as its centrepiece.
Camera IconThe Cibeles Fountain in Madrid, Spain. Credit: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
One of the more spectacular ones is the Cibeles Fountain. The fountain is famous among football fans because it is the place where Real Madrid, one of the world’s most successful football clubs, celebrates its team victories.
The rain is easing, so I decide to get off the bus. This spectacular part of town is also home to some of Madrid’s most beautiful buildings, including the Palace of Linares, the Cybele Palace, and the Bank of Spain building — and just up the road is the start of the famed Gran Via, known as the Spanish Broadway and home to an almost endless collection of designer boutiques and other retail shops.
It’s a shopper’s paradise, but I’m more interested in the impressive architecture. The Gran Via was built between 1910 and 1931, and marked the start of Madrid’s modernisation.
It includes some impressive examples of building styles, ranging from Art Deco to richly decorated plateresque facades.
Camera IconGran Via in Madrid, Spain. Credit: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
The sun makes the odd appearance to shine a light on the amazing architecture, and encouraged by this, I duck down some of the side streets from the Gran Via and discover charming plazas with warm and inviting cafes and restaurants. I pop into one during a heavy downpour to enjoy a bite to eat and a glass of sangria.
“Always look on the bright side of life,” I think as I sit and watch people rushing past the restaurant window under the cover of umbrellas.
When I run out of reasons to sit and watch the world go by the restaurant window, I make my way towards the Royal Palace to see if I can jag a look inside without having to stand in line for ages.
Camera IconThe queue to see the Royal Palace in Madrid. Credit: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
I’m out of luck, so I settle for second best — a look from the outside.
The Royal Palace is a vast place so it’s no surprise to learn it is the largest functioning royal palace in Europe. The Spanish royal family actually live in the Palace of Zarzuela on the outskirts of town, but the Royal Palace is used for State functions and it is, as I’m discovering, a major tourist attraction. The palace is a hybrid of Baroque and Neoclassical architectural styles, and set among the Campo del Moro Gardens.
Camera IconThe Royal Palace in Madrid. Credit: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
Despite the intermittent rain, I’ve enjoyed my sojourn in Madrid. Tomorrow will be the start of a new adventure. A bus trip to the historic university town of Salamanca will be followed by a seven-day cruise along the Douro River in Portugal aboard APT’s new river ship MS Estrela.
Can’t wait.
Mogens Johansen was a guest of APT for part of their 14-day Douro Delights with Madrid and Lisbon tour. They have not seen or approved this story prior to publication.
For more information about APT’s 14-day Douro Delights with Madrid and Lisbon tour, visit aptouring.com.au/trips/europe/eupdcrml14/may2025-oct2025.
Camera IconGran Via in Madrid. Credit: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
Camera IconThe Royal Palace in Madrid. Credit: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
Camera IconThe Royal Palace in Madrid. Credit: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
Camera Iconthe Cybele Palace and the Bank of Spain building in Madrid. Credit: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
Camera IconThe Metropolis building on Gran Via. Credit: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
Camera IconA fancy hotel facade on Gran Via. Credit: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
Camera IconVP Plaza Espana in Madrid. Credit: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
Camera IconThe Cervantes monument in Plaza Espana in Madrid. Credit: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
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