A Weekend in Madrid: Guest Post

I so wish Courtney and I were living in Madrid at the same time! She first emailed me while I was living in Madird wanting to know about Madrid life and telling me she was living vicariously through my pictures. Now the roles have reversed and I'm living vicariously through her Madrid life and wanting to jump into every picture! ...
Hello La Mia Vita readers! I'm Courtney from Adelante, and I'm so excited to be guest posting today! I'm originally from Seattle, but right now I'm living in Madrid and working as an English teaching assistant. I only wish Nicole had been here at the same time as me so we could have been travel buddies!

Despite it's vast differences from home, I fall in love with Spain more and more everyday. In case your travels bring you to Madrid anytime in the future, I'd love to share some of my favorite weekend activities for visitors with you!

Saturday:
Start your morning off right by getting coffee at La Bicicleta Café in the trendy neighborhood of Malasaña. Explore the surrounding streets to get a feel for the neighborhood's hip and vintage vibe.

Spend the rest of the morning admiring famous works of art at one of Madrid's world renowned museums, such as the Museo del Prado, the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía or the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.

Next, head to Parque del Buen Retiro for a stroll around Madrid's most picturesque park. Take a ride on a paddle boat in the park's small manmade lake, or grab a glass of tinto de verano at one of the outdoor cafés and people watch.

Before sunset, head to La Azotea at the Círculo de Bellas Artes for some of the most spectacular views of the city. Atop the chic rooftop bar of La Azotea, you can sip affordable wine while admiring the breathtaking scenery of Madrid. Stick around after sunset to see the city sparkle at night.

For dinner, check out one of the many locations of Lateral, one of Madrid's trendiest restaurants with gourmet tapas that are to die for. Not to mention, their mojito bar is unparalleled! After dinner, experience the nightlife of Huertas and Sol with the many bars and clubs that adorn the neighborhood. Spaniards tend to stay out until about 6 in the morning, so caffeinate accordingly!

Sunday:
Madrid isn't exactly known for it's breakfast scene, so save your appetite for a big lunch on Calle de la Cava Baja in the neighborhood of La Latina. This charming medieval street overflowing with tapas bars is perfect for sampling some of the best dishes of Spain.

Before heading to La Latina for lunch, be sure to visit the Royal Palace and relax in the Jardines de Sabatini. The Royal Palace itself boasts an ornate and decadent interior that rivals Versailles, but the gardens are the most luxurious place to admire the palace's regal façade.

Then, make your way towards Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, stopping by the Mercado de San Miguel aka foodie heaven. Wander through the many stalls of sublime Spanish treats and indulge on a delectable midday snack and apéritif.

If you're in the mood for dessert rather than savory snacks, visit Chocolatería de San Gines to feast upon the city's best churros con chocolate. You deserve it, especially if you burned a lot of calories dancing until dawn the night before with your fellow Spaniards!

Pass through Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, making your way up to Gran Vía to admire the unique belle époque architecture. Once you've reached the heart of Madrid's bustling metropolis, enjoy some of the city's best shopping. Finally, make your way back to where you started in Malasaña for an eclectic dinner at La Musa. Hopefully by this point in your stay, you've fallen madly in love with Madrid and are already planning your next trip back!

Thanks for having me, Nicole! Feel free to follow along as I continue to explore Madrid and the rest of Europe. Besos!