While I was doing my second Erasmus in Tomar ( Portugal ), I decided to spend a few days in Madrid with my Italian friend Lucrezia and our Turkish friend Muratan, who had just finished his Erasmus and was flying back home to Turkey from there. It felt like the perfect chance to explore a new city together before going our separate ways again.

Even after just a few days, I can say that Madrid is an amazing city. It has such a vibrant atmosphere, full of life, culture, and energy. It is definitely a place I would love to return to in the future, maybe during the summer, to experience it more deeply and stay a bit longer.

DAY 1- Tuesday 14.02.2017

( Night at: Motion Hostel, Madrid )

( Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid )

We actually left Tomar two days earlier, on the evening of the 12th. After dinner, we took a taxi to Entroncamento, a small town near Tomar, where we caught the night train to Madrid at 22:30. Spending the whole night on the train was not the most comfortable experience, but we managed to rest a little and arrived in Madrid around 08:40 the next morning.

After dropping off our bags at the hostel, we headed straight into the city. Our first stop was Puerta del Sol, one of the most central and lively places in Madrid. From there, we walked to Plaza Mayor, surrounded by beautiful historic buildings and filled with people enjoying the day.

We spent the afternoon walking around, getting our first impressions of the city, and simply enjoying the atmosphere. In the evening, we stopped at 100 Montaditos for an aperitif, a casual and fun way to end our first day in Madrid.

DAY 2 – Wednesday 15.02.2017

( Night at: Motion Hostel, Madrid )

We started the day early, but this time we split up. Lucrezia and Muratan decided to visit the stadium, while I chose to explore some of Madrid’s most famous museums on my own.

I visited the Museo Reina Sofía and the Museo del Prado, both incredible in completely different ways. Walking through the galleries alone gave me time to fully take in the art and enjoy the experience at my own pace.

We met again later for lunch, and in the afternoon we headed to the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid and then to El Retiro Park. It was a sunny day, and the park was full of people relaxing, walking, and enjoying the weather. One of the highlights there was the beautiful Palacio de Cristal, reflecting the light and surrounded by nature.

In the evening, we visited the Mercado de San Miguel, where we tried different foods and soaked in the lively atmosphere. Later, we treated ourselves to churros with chocolate, the perfect sweet snack to end the day.

DAY 3 – Friday 16.02.2017

( Night at: Motion Hostel, Madrid )

We started the morning early again, and this time I met up with Nerea, a Spanish friend I had met in Ireland while we were both working as au pairs. It was really nice to reconnect in a completely different place.

We spent the morning catching up and then went out for lunch at a local restaurant she recommended which I don’r remember the name. Afterward, we met Lucrezia and Muratan near the Royal Palace of Madrid, where we spent some time exploring the area together. Nerea became our unofficial guide, showing us around and sharing local insights.

We continued walking through the city until we reached the Temple of Debod, one of the most unique spots in Madrid, especially for its views.

Later, I met another friend of mine, Francesca, whom I had known since kindergarten and middle school, and who was also doing her Erasmus in Madrid. We grabbed a beer together, which made the day feel even more special, full of unexpected reunions.

In the evening, we all got ready for our last dinner together. We went to a restaurant recommended by Nerea, Casa de Valencia, where we had a delicious paella in a warm and friendly atmosphere. It was the perfect way to end our final night in Madrid.

DAY 4 – Saturday 17.02.2017

On our last morning, we woke up early and said goodbye to Muratan, who left from Plaza de Cibeles to head to the airport and fly back home.

After that, Lucrezia and I spent the day together, enjoying our final hours in the city. We met another friend of mine, Chiara, from my hometown Casale Monferrato, who was also doing her Erasmus in Madrid. Together, we walked through the city, visited a few last spots, and simply enjoyed the beautiful weather and relaxed atmosphere.

Our flight was in the evening at 21:05. We landed in Lisbon around 21:10 due to the time difference, and from the airport, we took the metro and then the train back to Tomar. We finally arrived around 23:00, completely exhausted but happy after a trip full of experiences, reunions, and unforgettable moments.