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You are here: Home / Senior Women Travel / Photo Galleries / Madrid, Spain and Side Trips You Don’t Want to Miss
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Madrid, Spain and Side Trips You Don’t Want to Miss

April 18, 2017 by Rebecca Forstadt-Olkowski 13 Comments

Gorgeous and majestic Madrid is a city of palatial splendor, ornate monuments, historical landmarks, art, and elegance. It is the capital and cultural hub of Spain and a doorway into its illustrious past.

While we were there, we took side trips to the old city of Toledo, the Valley of the Fallen, and El Escorial.

El Retiro Park Lake in Madrid near the Prada Museum.
El Retiro Park in Madrid

See also:

  • Granada
  • Seville

Touring the city

Madrid is located in the center of Spain on the River Manzanares. We arrived after touring Spain by rail, where we met my two teenage children who flew in to meet us for our remaining week in Spain.

My partner’s brother had designed the sets and costumes for a production of La Boheme that took place at the Teatro Real Opera House, which we attended while we were there.

We also visited the Prado National Museum, rented rowboats on the lake at neighboring El Retiro Park, toured the Royal Palace, strolled the historic Plaza Mayor, and attended a Flamenco performance.

Sidetrips

We booked a bus tour that took us to El Escorial -a monastery where most of the Spanish monarchs are entombed, the Valley of the Fallen – a monument and cathedral built by Generalísimo Franco, and spent the rest of the afternoon wandering the astoundingly well preserved and stunning city of Toledo. – It was the former capital of Spain until 1561.

The Royal Site of San Lorenzo El Escorial, known as El Escorial,  is the historic residence of the King of Spain. It is now a monastery, basilica, royal palace, library, museum, university, and hospital.

Franco, who was the fascist dictator of Spain from 1939 – 1975 is buried in the Valley of the Fallen church. 40,000 others whose lives were lost fighting the Spanish Civil war are buried beneath the valley floor. His burial there is controversial and political rallies honoring Franco have now been banned.

Toledo is known as the “city of three cultures” where Christians, Muslims, and Jews coexisted for centuries.  It’s the home of El Greco, whose famous paintings can be seen at the Church of Santo Tomé. 

The city is located in the La Mancha region and Don Quixote and Sancho Panza statues were displayed everywhere along its winding streets and in the shops.

Enjoy the photo galleries below.

The city of Madrid

Click on the images below to view them full-size in a gallery.

  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Royal Palace Courtyard
    Royal Palace Courtyard
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Royal Palace Night
    Royal Palace at night
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Royal Palace Dining Table
    Royal Palace dining table
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Royal Palace ceiling
    Royal Palace ceiling
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Royal Palace Cathedral ceiling
    Royal Palace Cathedral ceiling
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Calle de Felipe V
    Calle de Felipe V
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Plaza de Mayor and Cafes
    Plaza de Mayor
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Plaza de Mayor
    Plaza de Mayor
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Plaza de Mayor at the Prado
    Plaza de Mayor at the Prado Museum
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - El Retiro Park Lake
    El Retiro Park Lake
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - El Retiro Park Monument Alfonso XII
    Monument Alfonso XII El Retiro Park
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Teatro Real Opera House
    Teatro Real – Opera House
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Corral de la Morería Flamenco
    Corral de la Morería Flamenco
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Corral de la Morería Flamenco
    Corral de la Morería Flamenco
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Cafe Ricordi
    Cafe Ricordi
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Agriculture Building
    Agriculture Building

The Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

El Escorial is located about 28 miles north of Madrid and is an easy drive although we booked a bus tour for our side trips with a local guide and he was very knowledgeable.

  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - El Escorial organ
    El Escorial organ
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - El Escorial tomb
    El Escorial tomb
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Escorial tomb
    El Escorial tomb
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - El Escorial ceiling
    El Escorial ceiling
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - El Escorial cupula
    El Escorial cupula
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - El Escorial ceiling and cupola
    El Escorial ceiling and cupola

The Valley of the Fallen

The Valley of the Fallen is about a 16-minute ride from El Escorial. The best way to get there is by bus or taxi.

  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Valley of the Fallen cross
    Valley of the Fallen cross
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Valley of the Fallen Door
    Valley of the Fallen door
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Valley of the Fallen Crucifix
    Valley of the Fallen Crucifix
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Madrid - Valley of the Fallen Cathedral
    Valley of the Fallen Cathedral

The City of Toledo

You can take a high-speed train from Madrid to Toledo and get there in about 30 minutes. It is about 1 hour from Madrid by car. Taking a bus is much cheaper than a train and takes approximately 1 hour and a half.

  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo
    View of Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo
    View of Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo
    View of Toledo and Alcazar
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo - Hostel Santo Tomé
    Hostel Santo Tomé – Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo - St Martins Bridge
    St Martins Bridge – Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo - San Juan De Los Reyes
    Monastery of San Juan De Los Reyes – Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo - San Juan De Los Reyes
    Monastery of San Juan De Los Reyes – Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo -Cathedral of Toledo
    Cathedral of Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo - Cathedral of Toledo
    Cathedral of Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo - Cathedral of Toledo
    Cathedral of Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo - Parroquia San Ildefonso
    Parroquia San Ildefonso – Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo - Parroquia San Ildefonso
    Parroquia San Ildefonso – Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo - Parroquia San Ildefonso
    Parroquia San Ildefonso – Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo - Mosque of Cristo de la Luz
    Mosque of Cristo de la Luz – Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo - Mosque of Cristo de la Luz
    Mosque of Cristo de la Luz – Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo - Mosque of Cristo de la Luz
    Mosque of Cristo de la Luz – Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo - Mosque of Cristo de la Luz
    Mosque of Cristo de la Luz – Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo - Mosque of Cristo de la Luz
    Mosque of Cristo de la Luz – Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo - Mosque of Cristo de la Luz
    Mosque of Cristo de la Luz – Griffen Mural – Toledo
  • Baby Boomer Travel | Spain | Toledo - Don Quixote Statue
    Don Quixote Statue – Toledo

Check out top things to do in the area here.

Have you been to Madrid or do you plan to visit in the future? Please leave a comment below.

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Filed Under: Photo Galleries, Spain Tagged With: Baby Boomer Travel, Europe, hotel, museum, music, Palace, photos, Travel Over 50

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Comments

  1. Lois Alter Mark says

    April 18, 2017 at 11:08 am

    Your photos are gorgeous. We’ve been to Spain a number of times but somehow have still not gotten to Madrid! We definitely need to plan a trip soon!

    Reply
    • Rebecca Forstadt-Olkowski says

      April 18, 2017 at 2:23 pm

      Madrid is definitely worth it. It’s beautiful and there is so much life going on. It’s exciting.

      Reply
  2. Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond says

    April 18, 2017 at 12:37 pm

    Hi Rebecca! We are going to Spain in October so I really enjoyed your post and the photos. It has made me even more impatient and excited about our trip.

    Reply
    • Rebecca Forstadt-Olkowski says

      April 18, 2017 at 2:23 pm

      I’m so jealous! I love Spain and there’s so much more to see. Have an amazing time while you’re there.

      Reply
  3. Tam Warner Minton says

    April 18, 2017 at 3:33 pm

    I have never been to Spain. I’ve been made at Queen Isabella, Ferdinand, Charles and Philip for the inquisition. HA! I need to go. These photos are beautiful…mostly I want to see the Alhambra!

    Reply
    • Rebecca Forstadt-Olkowski says

      April 18, 2017 at 4:02 pm

      Spain is really one of my favorite countries so far. It has a certain energy about it and the people we met were so friendly. I’d love to walk the Camino. That sounds exciting.

      Reply
  4. Barbara Feldman says

    April 18, 2017 at 3:52 pm

    Beautiful! I’ve not explored Spain beyond Barcelona. Madrid looks fabulous.

    Reply
    • Rebecca Forstadt-Olkowski says

      April 18, 2017 at 4:03 pm

      Barcelona is incredible and I have a gallery coming up for that. Each city in Spain has it’s own special character and history.

      Reply
  5. Cathy Chester says

    April 18, 2017 at 4:06 pm

    We have family in Barcelona and have visited but always wanted to go back to visit Madrid. Your photos are stunning and are now making me want to go NOW!

    Reply
    • Rebecca Forstadt-Olkowski says

      April 18, 2017 at 6:33 pm

      I hope you’re able to Cathy. All of Spain is amazing.

      Reply
  6. Carol A Cassara says

    April 19, 2017 at 3:57 am

    You keep whetting my appetite for a return to Spain. I haven’t been to Toledo yet…but…maybe in the near future.

    Reply
    • Rebecca Forstadt-Olkowski says

      April 19, 2017 at 7:19 am

      I hope I keep whetting it. I still have a couple more cities there to go. LOL

      Reply
  7. Lynne says

    April 23, 2017 at 10:22 am

    We have discussed traveling to Spain. Your pictures are gorgeous! Adding another country to visit to my ever-growing list!

    Reply

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