Dear travelers,
This story comes from Ines Žganec, an art historian from Croatia who now lives in Ljubljana and works in marketing. Passionate about art, culture, and sunshine, she decided to spend six summer days in Madrid, Spain’s lively capital, a city she’d only seen on screen until then.
Here’s her honest story of rediscovering Spain, one museum, park, and tapas bar at a time.
Why Madrid?
Hi, I’m Ines, 32 years old, originally from Croatia but living in Ljubljana for work.
I chose Madrid partly because of my love for art and partly because I’d been watching so many Spanish shows like Money Heist and Elite that I couldn’t resist seeing the real thing. It had been since 2011 that I’d last been in Spain, and this time I wanted to experience it as an adult, through my own eyes.
I speak Spanish, I love warm weather, and I craved a summer destination that was vibrant but also cultural. After following the Instagram account @visita_madrid, the choice was obvious, I was stunned by the city’s beauty, colors, and energy.
So, my boyfriend and I packed our bags for six days of exploring, eating, and soaking in everything Madrid had to offer.
First Impressions
Madrid felt huge, multicultural, and full of life. It’s one of those cities that seems to have everything: amazing restaurants, lively bars, world-famous museums, elegant parks, and endless art.
At the same time, it’s busy, especially in summer, when the streets fill with tourists (mostly Americans). The heat was no joke either, sometimes up to 40°C, which makes sightseeing a bit of a marathon. But somehow, the late sunsets, long dinners, and relaxed pace made it work.
The Highlights
Parque del Retiro
A green oasis in the middle of the city. We rented a boat on the lake, floated past the monument, and watched locals walk dogs and eat ice cream under the trees.
Royal Palace of Madrid
An absolute must-see. It’s one of the most beautiful working palaces in Europe, and each room feels like stepping into another era. The interiors are breathtaking, and the view over the city is spectacular.
Museo del Prado
For an art historian, this was sacred ground. Seeing Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights in person was surreal: one of those goosebump moments you don’t forget.
And then there was our secret find: Rosi La Loca Taberna (@rosilalocataberna), a colorful restaurant full of energy and great food. For under 25€, you can eat delicious Spanish dishes in an unforgettable setting. It’s fun, affordable, and so very Madrid.
Living Like a Local
We stayed at Hotel Regente, right on the main street, central, comfortable, and perfect for walking everywhere. I tried to live madrileña-style: visiting markets, speaking Spanish, taking the metro everywhere, and pretending I wasn’t melting under the sun.
Reflections
The trip was smooth, no major challenges, just a lot of walking and, honestly, a lot of sweating.
What stood out to me most was how organized Spain felt, and how kind the people were. Despite being a big capital, Madrid felt welcoming.
If there’s one downside, it’s that food and groceries were pricier than expected, both in restaurants and supermarkets. But the experience was worth every euro.
Would I go back? Absolutely. The city is huge, with layers of history and creativity that deserve more than one visit. Plus, I still haven’t made it to all the galleries… or tapas bars.
If You’re Thinking of Going
Best time to visit: Spring or autumn, avoid the peak summer heat if you can.
How to get there: We flew from Vienna, which was the cheapest route from Ljubljana.
What to try: Paella, tapas, orange wine, and definitely dinner at Rosi La Loca Taberna.
Useful tools: Google Maps and free walking tours. Simple, reliable, and perfect for exploring.
Budget tip: Plan ahead, food can be more expensive than you expect.
Would I Go Back?
Absolutely. Madrid is huge, full of art, history, and life. Even after six days, I felt like I’d only scratched the surface. There’s still so much more to see, more museums, more parks, more late nights filled with laughter.
If you visit once, you’ll understand: Madrid has a way of stealing your heart.
Huge thanks to Ines Žganec for sharing her story with us.
Truly yours,
The Creation of Us
P.S.: Some of the links are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
