As mentioned Madrid has 21 districts and 128 wards. Each district provides its on unique layout, demographic and culture making Madrid quite … complicated. I really didn't come to Madrid with intentions to explore these areas. However, after visiting the few places we did I left Madrid wanting more. Regardless of the heat and the lack of interesting foods, there was a great history permeating the streets. Madrid may be a valley city but it is lush with greenery, teeming with spirit and never ending with things to see and do. Prado may be its most popular tourist destination but there is plenty of color and fascination outside of its doors.
I never had the time to get excited for Madrid. I honestly didn't do any research and didn't know what to expect. We'd spent five nights in Barcelona and I was jaded. We had a horrible hotel, even worse food and I just wanted to get out of there. In my eyes the place was way too touristy and polluted. I was looking for refuge and relaxation in Spain. All I ever felt was the overwhelming sense to get on to something new. We had done the beach, the museums and walked the popular spots. We had also done the nightlife, chilled in our crappy room and began to feel like five days was entirely too much. Then to finally pack, get down to the lobby and get slapped with city taxes … it was definitely time to move on to Madrid.
