Normally, I would not keep posting about another blog. But if you speak Spanish and appreciate Madrid, then you MUST check out Manu's blog, Secretos de Madrid This blogger is truly talented and I sincerely hope he is writing abook on Madrid history for tourists or fans of the city. His last post, The 50 essential things to do in Madrid is phenomenal. And if you are headed for Madrid, bookmark this page! But if you don't speak Spanish, I went ahead and translated it. I hope Manu doesn't mind. But truly, he's presenting a experience to be had that is not touristy. If anything its an authentic way to enjoy my illuminated Madrid.
1) Walk down the rowdy, noisy and bustling street of Gran Via in Madrid.
2) Go back in time visiting the fanatsmic metro line of Chamberi, now a museum.
3) Spend a reflective sunset at the Temple o Debod
4) Enjoy the silence at Las Vistillas Park ( close to La Latina metro stop)
5) See Madrid from above by riding the "teleferico", a cable car/aerial tramway system that soars over the city's Casa de Campo, parks and homes.
6) See the statue of the fallen Angel at Retiro Park
7) Eat, drink and soak in the lively ambiance of one of Plaza de Olavide's terrace cafe's. ( Trafalgar neighborhood, Chamberi district)
8) Walk aimlessly through the old city centre, known as Hapsburg/Asturian Madrid.
9) Stop in the middle of one of Madrid's best known and busiest places, the Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun) and take in all that is surrounds you.
10)Browse the secret garden of wonderful eclectic shops at Hermosilla 26 in the neighborhood of Salamanca.
11)Walk amongst the statues of kings at the Plaza de Oriente````
12) Enjoy the "Pasadizo San Gines", a very special corner thats sells both books and churros.
13) Head up to the "Circulo de Bellas Artes" rooftop and gaze at one of the best panoramic views of Madrid
14) Go shopping on Fuencarral Street
15) Look for sculptures as you walk the terraces and rooftops of Madrid
16) Pass through Plaza Mayor and breathe in its immense history
17) Cross the "Arco de Chucilleros" ( Cutlers Arch), the most famous of nine gates of the Plaza Mayor and find the mini pulpit!
18) Feel as if you are the protagonist in a story from yesteryear at the Capricho Park.
19) Sit on a bench at Plaza del Rey, next to the house of the seven chimneys.
20) Eat a calamari sandwich/sub
21) Traverse "Calle Espiritu" Santo, the best authentic example of the Madrid nieghborhood of Malasana
22)Visit the church of "San Antonio de los Alemanes", a hidden Madrileno gem.
23)Enjoy a reprise at the Plaza Santa Ana with the Hotel Me Iluminado.
24) Take a stroll along the Madrid Rio
25) Admire the extraordinary size and beauty of the Royal Palace
26)Check out the trendy, independent and unique stores of "Barrio de las Salesas".
27) Give yourself some love, sleep in and enjoy a Madrileno Sunday brunch.
28) Head to Madrid's Municipal Museum and admire the detailed map of Madrid created by Teixiera in 1656.
29) Come close and observe the one of the oldest structures in Madrid, the medieval church "San Pedro el Viejo"
30) Take a look at one of the tallest buildings, "Edificio Espana" in all its strength and size.
31) Observe the two distinct sides of the Puerta de Alcala
32) Contemplate the solemn and elegant street of Felipe IV
33) Hobnob with art found along the Paseo del Prado ( and visit some of its museums for good measure)
34) Travel through the Spains Golden Age by walking through "El Barrio de las letras", the Neighborhood of the Writers.
35) Visit one of the most alluring secrets of Madrid, " el Jardin del Principe Anglona" a garden located in the heart of the neighborhood of La Latina.
36) Tour Retiro Park in search of the Cristal Palace
37)Feel tiny amongst the four largest skyscrapers in Madrid located in the four towers business area along the Paseo de la Castellana
38) Spend sunday at the renowned flea market, "El Rastro" and while you there stop by and say hello to the statue of Spanish Solidier, Eloy Gonzalo
39)Take a guided tour inside the Monastery of the Barefoot Royals, a historical treasure of a museum.
40) Look at the giant Schweppes sign and humorously see if the character Santiago Segura from the 1995 black comedy Day of the Beast is hanging from it.
41)Gaze at the most iconic Madrileno image, that of the Metropolis building and Gran Via.
42) Attend of of Madrids continual musical offerings.
43) Appreciate the colorful and sloping Cava de San Miguel
44) Feel as if you are living in another epoch while walking down the elbow shaped Calle del Codo
45) Finish off the weekend taking a long, slow late afternoon stroll through Malasana
46) Awaken all your senses at the unique and renowned San Miguel open air market.
47)Dine on exotically savory Hindu cuisine at one of the terrace restaurants in the neighborhood of Lavapies
48) Feel like Captain Alatriste admiring Plaza de la Villa
49)Visit the Basilica of San Francisco el Grande
50) Visit Cuesta de la Vega, look at the walls of old Mayrit where everything you just read about all began!
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