Centre of Madrid, Spain, August 2025

In mid-August 2025, I set off on a journey to Portugal with my Venezuelan friend Giovanni. As fate would have it, our route included a stopover in Madrid—and what could have been just an airport layover turned into a beautiful five-hour adventure through the Spanish capital.
 
After landing at Barajas, we were joined by our dear friend Leo, another Venezuelan who had arrived earlier. The three of us hadn’t been together since our Polish-Slovak escapades earlier in the summer, so it already felt like a reunion worth celebrating.
 
Eager to make the most of our time, we took a taxi straight to the Banco de España metro station, right at the edge of Plaza de Cibeles. From there, we began a leisurely walk westward, soaking in the grandeur of Madrid’s most iconic boulevard—Calle de Alcalá.
 
We passed the Cibeles Fountain, where the goddess Cybele rides her chariot drawn by lions, watched over by the majestic Palacio de Cibeles, once a post office, now the city hall. From there, we continued along the bustling Gran Vía, often called the Spanish Broadway, lined with regal buildings, theatres, rooftop terraces, and classic shopfronts that give Madrid its unmistakable urban charm.
 
Despite the scorching summer heat, Giovanni was enchanted—it was his first time in Spain, and you could see the wonder in his eyes as we moved through the city’s heart.
 
We paused to admire the Metropolis Building, its ornate dome glinting under the sun, then meandered past Puerta del Sol, alive with performers, tourists, and the iconic clock tower of the old post office—the symbolic centre of Spain. From there, we strolled through the cooler side streets until we reached the elegant Plaza Mayor, where we stood beneath the colonnades, briefly escaping the sun and absorbing the square’s historic atmosphere.
 
Finally, we reached the Royal Palace of Madrid, standing proudly over the city, with the Almudena Cathedral just beside it. The views from the palace promenade were lovely—soft golden light, distant hills, and a city that felt both grand and lived-in.
 
Though our time was brief, we had truly walked through Madrid’s historic and architectural heart, weaving together laughter, curiosity, and the delight of shared discovery. After one last cold drink, we took a taxi back to Barajas, refreshed and grateful.
 
That evening, as our flight took off toward Lisbon, we looked back on a perfect afternoon—a mini adventure tucked between two countries, rich with friendship, sunshine, and the timeless beauty of Madrid.

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