Photo by Álvaro Bernal on Unsplash
As I arrive at the Madrid train station, I’m excited to see civilization again.
A lot of you might not know that I got stuck in the desert for nearly 24 hours the day before I arrived in this city, and it was incredibly rewarding to be back amongst people again.
I don’t remember too much about getting off the train and walking over to the hostel and whatnot, but I do remember being wowed at just how much sunlight, and vibrancy there was in this municipality. I got there and knew I was going to have a fun time.
Let’s jump right into it and cover the points I missed last week about Madrid. Oh, and by the way, if you haven’t liked my Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter accounts yet, then don’t bother because it’s entirely your call not to.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Aviation Paradise: Cuatro Vientos Air Museum
Photo by paul jespers on Unsplash
Maybe it was because I was so exhausted - or maybe the city is just huge - that I didn’t get to visit a lot of these really cool, awesome places when I was in Madrid. I would’ve wanted to, but it’s tough in just three to four or even five days.
Cuatro Vientos Air Museum sounds - and looks - like a place that I’d love to visit when I return to Madrid. It’s super exciting to see airplanes and learn a bit about aeronautics and astronautics - the latter in particular for me - at an actual airbase, which is exactly where this museum is housed, right outside of the city.
Situated at Cuatro Vientos Air Base, this museum is dedicated to the craft of aviation as well as its history. You can discover a collection of vintage aircraft, including planes, helicopters, and memorabilia, and provide yourselves with a unique experience - for those with an interest in aviation.
Since this museum boasts a collective of multi-era spanning aircraft - including planes, helicopters, and vintage engines - you’ll realize that each aircraft tells its own story, and even if you’re not an aviation enthusiast - don’t worry I’m not either; I think it’s cool, but I don’t know much about it -, you can learn to appreciate the evolution of flight technology by learning the stories of each machine.
The museum actually features interactive exhibits that provide a hands-on experience for anyone visiting. These simulators allow you to feel what it’s actually like to sit down in a cockpit and fly a plane or helicopters, and you’ll have insights into what challenges pilots face. In my opinion, this is not only educational, but also entertaining.
Cuatro Vientos Air Museum also frequently hosts educational workshops and lectures - related to aviation, of course. These sessions cover everything from the history of flight, to aeronautical engineering, and the significance of specific aircraft in aviation history, so it’s an opportunity for visitors to deepen their understanding of aviation and engage with experts in the field - if it’s something you’re interested in, of course.
If you’re interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects of aviation - which I’m not, and if you are, this is your thing -, the museum offers restoration workshops, where you can witness skilled craftsmen and technicians working on the refurbishment of vintage aircraft. This provides a unique insight into the meticulous process of preserving history.
In addition to these workshops, Cuatro Vientos Air Museum sometimes organizes airshows and special events, such as live demonstrations, aerobatic displays, and flyovers by both historic and contemporary aircraft. Attending these can be a lot of fun, and allows you to witness the power and grace of these flying machines up close.
Also, the museum houses a collection of historical archives, including photographs, documents, and memorabilia related to aviation. You can explore these archives to gain a deeper appreciation for aviation’s role in shaping Spain’s history, as well as that of the world.
But yeah, Cuatro Vientos offers an experience for aviation enthusiasts, as well as regular audiences like myself, combining historical exploration, interactive exhibits, educational opportunities, and a glimpse into the ongoing restoration efforts that help preserve the legacy of aviation. It's a destination that caters to both seasoned aviation experts and those looking to cultivate a newfound interest in flight history. In other words, it rocks.
2. Modern Marvel: CaixaForum Madrid and Its Vertical Garden
The CaixaForum Cultural Centre in Madrid, which appears to be levitating.
I’m having a little bit of trouble remembering if I went inside this place or not. I definitely saw the outside. As a matter of fact, I think I remember seeing some sort of exhibition there, and I couldn’t for the life of me remember what I saw.
Anyways, the CaixaForum is a cultural center in Madrid, located on one of the main streets called Paseo del Prado. The building used to be a power plant, and has only been a center for artistic exhibitions since 2008. So yeah, it’s pretty “new” (considering that the building is actually from 1899.
Yeah, tons of contemporary art exhibitions can be found here. The building itself is truly a work of artistic and architectural achievement, having a really unique, cubic structure that appears to be levitating (reference the above photo).
The interior is also incredibly futuristic and interesting to experience. It almost feels like you’re walking inside a spaceship, or on a movie set. I would honestly visit this place not even for the exhibitions - which I’m sure are also great -, but for the interior alone.
Photo by Bruno Figueiredo on Unsplash
Beneath the CaixaForum.
Anyways, outside the museum is a vertical garden, meaning - just like the structure - it goes from top to bottom - from the ground upwards towards the sky - rather than from North to South or East to West. The garden leans against some regular apartment buildings. It’s really interesting to look at.
The CaixaForum vertical garden.
But yeah, overall, this place hosts everything from exhibitions, to workshops, to performances, and offers a unique and perhaps more modern perspective on Madrid's vibrant art scene. Check out their website to get an idea of what upcoming events they have going on.
3. Temple of Debod: Sunset Serenity Amidst Ancient Ruins
Photo by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Unsplash
Yeah… I don’t think I ever saw this, and it looks really interesting.
Temple of Debod is basically an ancient Egyptian shrine that was relocated to Madrid in the 1960s. It was rebuilt on Parque del Oeste, one of Madrid’s main parks, in 1972, and is located near the Royal Palace - so you can hit two birds with one stone when visiting the palace, and the park / temple.
You can visit it at any time of the day, and if you visit during sunset, you’ll see a lot of warm hues reflecting off the temple's stone - that creates a really cool and picturesque sight, especially because, in the warmer seasons, the temple is surrounded by water.
That’s right, depending on when you visit, this temple is surrounded by a reflective pool, so you can take a stroll around it, and enjoy its mirrored reflections - which are particularly fascinating at sunset. If you’re an artist, what a sight this is to draw or paint - it’s gorgeous.
You can also capture the magic of this temple by bringing along your camera or smartphone. The interplay of light and shadows during sunset creates a captivating scene. You can definitely capture a lot of really cool photos here, and the sunset colors of the sky reflect beautifully off of the water.
Speaking of the water, finding a quiet spot by the temple pool can also provide moments of meditation or relaxation, where you can contemplate whatever you want for a long time, and unwind from your daily anxieties. It’s pretty magical in this regard, especially at sunset.
As a matter of fact, lots of visitors find the Temple of Debod to be a great spot for not just meditation, but also yoga, especially during quieter hours. It almost feels like you’re not in Madrid, but somewhere else entirely when you’re meditating here.
But yeah, for those of you wondering when the temple was actually built, it’s supposedly from 200 BC so… definitely ancient.
There might be informational plaques to give you some of the history of the temple - I mean you can always just look on your phone for more information -, and you can also do a guided tour around the city or the Royal Palace grounds, where they’ll likely take you to this landmark and go in depth about its history (if that’s something that interests you).
This place is 100% free to visit, don’t worry about any sort of money - unless you book a guided tour.
That said, if you decide you want some food or coffee after, the temple and park are located very close to some main streets, like Paseo del Pintor Rosales and C. de Ferraz, so there’s plenty for you to do in terms of not just eating, but also exploring nearby attractions, as well as visiting other sites and parks.
4. Teleférico de Madrid: Gondola Views Of The City Skyline
Photo by Adam Kolmacka on Unsplash
The Madrid Cable Car, which runs from Rosales - the street I just mentioned - all the way to Casa de Campo, which is the largest public park in the city, is a great way to experience breathtaking views of the city.
It’s about an 11 minute ride, and it’s literally like taking a ski lift up a mountain. Each cable car seats six people, so chances are you’ll be with others in your cabin (or, if you make some connections whilst traveling, you can sit with your friends in a single car).
But yeah, so long as heights don’t bother you - the cable car goes up an altitude of 40 meters at its highest point -, this is a great way to observe the city, greenery, and landscape of Madrid from above.
You can combine the experience with a visit to Casa de Campo, the second station at Madrid's largest public park, which - in addition to greenery - has lakes, fountains, lots of trails, a Zoo aquarium, and even an amusement park. So if you like roller coasters, this is the place to be.
Photo by Mari Vlassi on Unsplash
As with all amusement parks, you can also indulge in food, check out some magic shows, and - if you’re a Walking Dead fan or just like scary thrills - experience The Walking Dead Experience attraction, which is open year-round.
Prices for the amusement park itself aren’t super cheap - around €26 (so about $40 CAD or $30 USD) -, and if you plan accordingly, you can squeeze them into your budget - if you want, that is.
Zoo tickets start at €19.90 and go up from there, depending on what sort of pass you get.
The cable car itself costs €4.50 for a one-way trip, and €6 for a round trip ticket - so you might as well get the latter. However, the good news is you can save €1 on a round-trip ticket if you have a youth card, which - if you’re under 30 years old - shouldn’t be a problem. Check out their rates here for more details.
But yeah, even if you don’t want to visit the zoo or the amusement park, you can still walk or even bike (if you rent a bike) around Casa de Campo, and even have a picnic there. Tons to do here; you should not be bored.
5. Matadero Madrid: Cultural Hub Inside a Reformed Slaughterhouse
Photo by Tomas Anton Escobar on Unsplash
This one’s really interesting. Inside a former slaughterhouse built between 1911 and 1925 is now a museum, which has been operating since 2006.
The arts center houses everything from literature, photography, modern art, and video game exhibitions, to live performances, book readings, theater & music shows, as well as cultural events like movies, digital art exhibitions, and tons more.
Best part? It’s mostly free. While a bit of a walk from the city center (40 min isn’t too bad to be quite honest… I’ve walked way more than this on my travels, and it’s awesome exercise as well as a great way to explore the city), you can always take an Uber, bike - the place does offer bike rentals - or even a subway there, which takes no more than 10-15 min.
The main areas of the museum are open most of the day for foot travelers, that said, most of its exhibits and concerts are in the evening.
There’s also a cafe for lunch and drinks, so you don’t need to go far if you’re hungry - which is me pretty much all the time.
It’s interesting to see a place like this enjoy such a great revival, considering the sadness of what it used to be. Obviously times and needs were different over a century ago when this place was built, and I’m glad that it was able to find new life as a more positive, life-affirming, and even cheerful place to visit.
So yeah, highly recommended!
6. Sorolla Museum: Spanish Impressionism Inside a Hidden Gem
Photo by Pelayo Arbués on Unsplash
Spanish painter, Joaquin Sorolla, was known for creating skilful paintings of people, landscapes, and bodies of water under the bright sun. He was really good at it, using thick white brushstrokes to convey the sunlight reflecting off of people’s bodies, clothing, and off of pretty much any other surface you can think of.
Again, if you’re not into art, this is not going to be for you, and if you are, and you can appreciate what I’m talking about, then the Sorolla Museum, which used to be the artist’s house and was converted into a gallery after the death of his dowager, is a great place for you to check out.
Hidden behind a cluster of trees in a charming mansion in the middle of the city, the Sorolla Museum offers a secluded experience in the heart of Madrid. Despite being surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the municipality, the gallery itself is actually quite quiet, since it’s isolated from the bustling streets and tourist crowds.
Inside, you’ll find various rooms that are furnished the same way as they were during the artist’s lifespan and residency here. You have his studio, which are filled with paintings, and various other rooms throughout the house that act as galleries to display his and his family members’ paintings.
Photo by Pelayo Arbués on Unsplash
Again, if you’re an artist, you get to see all of Sorolla’s tools of the trade, which can be fascinating.
The bright red walls of some of the rooms, as well as the statues, sculptures, vases, and artworks inside of them are really cool to check out, if you’re into interior design and / or art.
Photo by Pelayo Arbués on Unsplash
Photo by Pelayo Arbués on Unsplash
Outside, you’ll see several cool gardens, with fountains and flowers of various colors. These gardens, alongside the courtyard, are beautiful visually, and offer a great place to relax, unwind, and perhaps even take photos and or draw, paint, or write - if you’re into that.
Since the museum is located in the Chamberí neighborhood, a majestic neighborhood with various cultural attractions aside from the museum, you can explore it. There are tons of cafes, shops, and parks that you can visit without spending any money, or for a very affordable amount.
But yeah, overall, this is a great museum to visit, and the surrounding neighborhood is definitely worth walking around and experiencing as well. Highly recommended.
Anyways, guys, that does it for this one. Madrid is one of my favorite places on the planet, and I’m happy to continue writing about all the stuff there is to do here.
If you liked this article, feel free to shoot us a like on Facebook, Twitter / X, and / or Instagram, as well as comment down below or on the above social media channels. We’d love to hear from all of you and learn about your own backpacking journeys as well as what advice you might have for backpacking on a budget.
Until next time, see you then, and stay resilient out there.