Madrid, Spain — Summer 2022

Madrid in the summer can be busy, bright, overwhelming, and beautiful — all under the hot Spanish sun. My time in the city was filled with sangria, long walks, and an endless list of sights. At moments, Madrid felt like a Spanish version of New York: crowded, bustling, full of life. At others, the rich history and culture of Spain shined through in unmistakable ways.

Because most of my travel was by train, I spent a lot of time around Atocha Station. Many of the photos from this trip come from Parque del Retiro, a stunning urban oasis in the heart of the city. I’m a big fan of city parks — Fairmount Park in Philadelphia is home, and Central Park in NYC is a close second — but Retiro was something special. Fountains, flowers, statues, winding paths, lakes, and gardens made it a perfect place to explore.

We stopped by Plaza Colón, grabbed excellent mojitos while overlooking the city from the rooftop bar at Paisaje de la Luz, and wandered through the always-packed Plaza Mayor. Much of our time (and food) was spent around Sol, exploring tapas bars and small restaurants.

One of my favorite stops was the Royal Palace of Madrid — my first European palace. The art, decor, and scale were unbelievable. But some of the best views weren’t inside the palace at all; they were from Parque de la Montaña, where sunset cast a golden glow over the entire Royal Palace and the city beyond.

📷 Photos#