Our prebooked private shuttle passed the Real Madrid's home stadium and lots of apartments - spread out and only about 6 levels so not overwhelming in the areas surrounding the freeways into the city. It's very dry with silver birch and plane trees everywhere.
Spain has a population of 48 million. Madrid, the capital, has 3.6 million people.
We are staying at Woohoo suites a stones throw from the Grand Via in the centre of the old part of town. The entry is unprepossessing but inside the building is a lovely old marbled floored place with an ancient tiny lift. The suites - 6 units within a locked communal area are brand new and excellent. There is also a communal dining room for breakfast.
Walked to the Plaza Major the ancient, huge town square with restaurants on the ground floor with seating in the square and residential units above dating back to 1617.
Cressida led us to Calle Cava Baja where many tapas bars are stretched along one street. We had dinner in one that opened early as the majority don't open until 8-10pm. Had wine and beer sitting at a high long bar where we chose from a selection of tapas behind a long window. Very easy way to negotiate the language barrier - point, raise your finger for one and nod yes!
Then we discovered our first Mecado. Mercado de San Miguel. A huge building where they sell pastries, tapas, sangria, ham and fresh produce. A gorgeous place we'll have to return to.
Lovely old stone buildings painted dark orange and bright yellow with tiny Juliet balconies are everywhere. Even the newer buildings blend into the old buildings. There were lots of people walking around the wide roads, little traffic and no buildings above about 6 floors in the whole area. Very little sign of street sellers and the waiter at the bar we had our first drink in told a busker to "vamoos". It's a lovely part of the city.
