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The Ultimate Guide to Madrid

“ERES GUIRI? ¿DE DÓNDE ERES?”… was the start of every conversation. My response was the same every time, “Yes I am. I’m from the states, New York to be exact”.

Planning an extensive 3-week vacation has been one of the best things I could have done after graduating this past May. I decided to partake in the experience of traveling throughout Europe. When I landed in Spain, I couldn’t believe my eyes. From the beautiful clear skies to the mid-warm breeze, I was ready to indulge into Spain.

From the day of my arrival, June 3rd, my travel partner and I were eager to explore the different cuisines, architecture, art, and culture. We didn’t quite know what to expect other than the gloomy spring showers. What we did know was that Spain was a huge country. So it was our job to see as much as Madrid as possible. The most convenient aspect was navigating around town. Can you believe there’s Uber in Madrid? Believe it! And it gets better; the rides are about 10 (in USD that’s $11.70). I fell in love with the pricing for cabs. There’s no waiting to hail down a cab like in NYC and they come instantly.

Tip Time Travelers: If you are looking to go to Spain, the best car service apps are Uber, Cabify, and MyTaxi. 

As we dived into our trip, the exceptional experience of taking on Madrid and its culture felt so surreal. For example, going to the City Central to see the Plaza Mayor Square reminded me as if I was in downtown Brooklyn. We were greeted immediately by local street performers that brought me back to being on the subway and watching all of the young talent being displayed. From children breakdancing, to mimes, to tourists riding around; my mind felt like it was an eventful carnival. It was definitely a moment that every traveler should undergo. Natives of Spain were so friendly and willing to assist with directions. They were easily approachable. Being from the Bronx and living around an abundance of Latinos, my Spanish is pretty good when it comes to exchanging words with others. Speaking more than one language is beneficial when it comes to traveling across the country.

Tip Time Travelers: Below are some helpful translation apps that can assist with language barriers right from your fingertips.

  iTranslate

TripLingo

Waygo

Papago

 

  Top Seven Things 

        To See in Madrid      

Puerta Del Sol    

  Royal Palace of Madrid

     Plaza Mayor

     Almudena Cathedral

     Barrio de La Latina

     Plaza de Santa Ana

     Temple of Debod*

*This was actually my favorite place that I saw in Madrid. The pillars reflecting onto the water in the night as you watch the sky change colors as it prepares for sunset is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever witnessed. Everyone should visit this Egyptian creation.

Being from the US, things such as race and gender are still a bit taboo. Traveling to Spain, I never felt more welcomed and pleased to be in the skin I am in. People were far from racist compared to other European countries we visited. Before going to Spain, I did my research on the different demographics. While surfing the net, I stumbled upon 14 out of every 100 residents are immigrants from other countries. Isn’t that crazy? Talk about cultural diffusion. I advise that anyone looking to plan their next vacation, do some research on the origin, demographics, culture and historical landmarks. It can help enhance your travel experience. It can even help you tap into your hidden geographical skills.

What to Expect in Madrid

Religion: Roman Catholicism is the largest religion in Madrid. On Sundays, mass is broadcasted throughout the city on the loudspeaker. It’s a bit refreshing hearing the spoken word while walking through the town.

Currency: Euro

Credit Cards and Banks: NO APPLE PAY! Make sure you have your physical bank/credit cards.

Nightlife: Bars close around 12 AM. Madrid isn’t a party city, so if you want to party and get “lit” you should try Ibiza or Barcelona.

Scenery: Everything that you are going to see is breathtaking. From the different shapes and textures of the buildings to the types of foods, you are bound to run out of space on your iPhone or Galaxy. Make sure you get extra iCloud storage, two sim cards for your camera and an extra memory card for Androids.

Food: Spain is known for their eclectic dishes. One of my favorites was the La Paella. It’s a yellow rice dish made with mussels, shrimp, clams, and chicken. And a good Spanish red wine to give your taste buds a party.

Happy Travels!

Levar Leys | Travel Consultant, New York, NY 

Follow Levar’s Travel Instagram: @LivingOverTheBar

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