Madrid, Spain: 5 Things to See and Do, Senior Solo Travel

I traveled to Madrid with my sister and brother-in-law and spent a little over two days there. It was during December and the city was decked out for the holidays. In this video, I share five of my favorite things to see and do in Madrid, including: 1. The Royal Palace of Madrid, which is a huge complex that includes Armory Square, the Sabatini Garden, and the Plaza de Espana. The Palace is the largest in Western Europe and one of the largest in the world. It is over 135,000 square meters and has 3,418 rooms. You need to purchase tickets in advance and are given a time window to enter. I would suggest timing your entrance with the changing of the guard. 2. Retiro Park, which is a massive park that is free and open to the public. If you visit, make sure you see the Monument of Alfonso XII, Retiro Park Lake (boat rentals), the Crystal Palace, the Fallen Angel Statue, the Galapago Tortoises' fountain, the Rose Garden, and the Statue Walk. 3. Real Jardin Botanico, which is botanical garden adjacent to Retiro Park. The Garden was moved to its current location in 1774, so it has a bit of history. It only cost a couple Euros to enter and it had some lovely walking paths, sculptures and places for reflection. There is also a science museum on the grounds because the gardens are also used for education. 4. The Temple of Debod, which is an Egyptian temple that was transported from Egypt to Madrid’s Cuartel de la Montaña Park. Surrounding the temple are gardens, so that you can sit in various locations and admire the temple. The temple and gardens rest on a high plaza that overlooks a valley, the Royal Palace and other historical buildings. This is a nice place for rest and reflection and it is a short distance to walk to the Palace from here. 5. Plaza Mayor, which is Madrid’s grand central square and is found in the heart of Hapsburg Madrid, the oldest part of the city. Steeped in history, the plaza is a central hub for touring this district. There are numerous shops, street vendors, and cafes within and outside the plaza walls. In addition to the above, make sure to take the time to stroll the Grand Via to enjoy the architecture, cafes and shops. For senior and solo travelers, the city felt safe and friendly. However, like any large metropolis, it is advisable to keep an eye on your belongings at all times. Since I was traveling with my brother-in-law who was using a walker at the time, I was very aware of the efforts needed for people with limited mobility. The city certainly had places that were not easily accessible, had uneven surfaces, and/or had steep hills. He managed quite well, but there were challenges along the way. @seniorsolotravel Travel Facebook Forum: https://www.facebook.com/groups/443309331791413 Senior Solo Travel Website: https://www.seniorsolotravel.net/ Royal Palace Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/4nnux3rn Madrid Tourism Info: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/ Videos from this trip: Madrid: https://youtu.be/FzVWCSEMmgs Barcelona: https://youtu.be/B1P-ViPVVJM Madeira: https://youtu.be/EfXrlgDNjNQ Toboggan Run Madeira: https://youtu.be/SyoS_H_EiNI St Martin: https://youtu.be/vQOgjioV9pw Viking Sky Ship Overview: https://youtu.be/l7EuwYab5f0 A Viking's Crossing Transatlantic Cruise Overview: https://youtu.be/aR08b92xi0I Viking Deluxe State Room Overview: https://youtu.be/Ms7VOZw3JSU 0:00 Intro 0:20 Royal Palace 2:42 Retiro Park 3:25 Real Jardin Botanico 3:58 Temple of Debod 4:53 Plaza Mayor 5:23 Outro