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In the daily life of the flight attendant, we jet-set all around the world. As glamorous as it seems, there's a catch. Once the wheels touch down, you have limited hours to spend exploring until it's time to take off again. Whether you're a fellow flight attendant or just city-hopping, here's our take on what to see in your first 24 hours.
What To See:
Every European city has endless amounts of history to experience. My excitement for Madrid, Spain began once I read about the palaces (obviously), parks and plazas. This city is filled with intricate details around every corner that you simply cannot miss out on.
My musts for sightseeing are Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor, and the Royal Palace of Madrid.
My personal favorite? Retiro Park. Bring your walking shoes, because I can guarantee you'll want to spend a big chunk of your day strolling through this beauty. There are endless paths to explore & plenty of photo opportunities. Thankfully, I had my favorite backpack to carry my camera around so I could capture the amazing fall colors.
Whether you're admiring the nature, buildings or statues scattered throughout the park, it's impossible to not be in awe - especially when you arrive at the Palacio de Cristal.
Where To Eat:
If you love tapas, sweets & toasting drinks, I have the place for you. In the heart of Madrid, you'll find the San Miguel Mercado. Think of a condensed, close-knit version of Chelsea Market. Filled with separate stands that deliver any flavor you could possibly crave. Don't forget an order of Madrid's signature sangria as well.
Right around the corner from the market, you can also find a spot called Taste Gallery. I would be lying if I told you I didn't get more sangria to sip on while I rested my feet here. You must try the seafood & a signature Spanish dish of patatas bravas.
With only 24 hours to indulge my tastebuds, I consumed a majority of my calories at the market. You bet I snuck some sweets into my backpack to go, too. The next food hot spot on my list? Mesón del Champiñon, aka "The Mushroom Bar." I've heard it's to die for.
How To Get Around:
Depending on what kind of traveler you are, Madrid has a simple transportation option for you.
If you want to get from point A to point B with no hassle, the taxis and Uber services are definitely your best option. Huge bonus? The fares are extremely low in Madrid & much cheaper than most cities.
Now if you enjoy the challenge of figuring out subway systems, you can navigate through the Madrid underground. I personally used this form of transportation because I like to be as "local" as possible, and it was easy to get the hang of. The metro has 13 lines that can get you virtually anywhere, with just a short walk once you've reached your stop.
For the energetic travelers, you can also take on Spain's capital by foot. Although it's pretty walkable once you get to the city center, I would recommend the latter if you only have 24 hours in the city.
What will my next 24 hours in Madrid consist of? Prado Museum, explore the nightlife on Calle de las Huertas & more food to taste.
Time to take off,
Madeline
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