Our couple days in Madrid so I could get a taste was nice and pleasant. There are a few more things I wouldn’t mind checking out if we happen by or near the city again. I enjoyed just walking through the city and checking out the architecture as well as street art I spied. Loved all the lights (a vid of the best light show) and man I have never seen such crowded streets outside of fairs or shows.

This was the best piece of street art I happened across.

The Royal Palace. We didn’t go in just thought we’d admire how huge it was from outside. My understanding is that the royal family lives in more modest accommodations outside of the city and only uses this as a museum and for state ceremonies.

A behind the gate view of the palace.

Once side of the Catedral de la Almudena.

A close up of the front facade of the church although the sun was directly behind the church at an awful angle.

Yes, all that sun and all those people, too.

Can you believe it? This guy was real!

The Temple of Debod. It was donated to Spain and not stolen. It dates back to the 2nd century B.C. and was rebuilt here in Spain. It’s free to check out, but as you can see to the left there was a long line of people. It’s too bad there was no water in the pool.

One view from the park where the Temple of Debod is located. It was quite smoggy that day.

Here we are at the Puerta del Sol and looking at the Casa de Correos. This is the famous clocked used for welcoming in the new year and knowing when to eat the 12 grapes.

Yes! Now we have all been to Kilometro Cero, the starting point for all major radial roads in Spain.

So pretty!

Look at that!

Walking back through the Plaza del Sol by happenstance. I should have stood on top of something so that you could see just how bustling it was.

It caught my attention.

This is the Naval Museum!!

This beautifully lit road leads all the way up to the city’s triumphal arch which you can see a little bit at the far end of the photo.

The Puerta de Alcala.