R&M Guide: Spain
¡Viva! 🇪🇸✨! On my recent trip, I fell in love with the Spanish lifestyle and overall energy of this vibrant country. I can't recommend Spain enough!
Each morning, I’d wake up around 11 am, grab a café latte at a coffee shop on the plaza and take in the city. My soul recognized this place, I must have been here before, in another life.
After enjoying my drink, I would pop in to different shops before taking a brief afternoon siesta. Enjoying the slowness of the present moment, I never felt rushed.
What was the worry? Life was so sweet, full of bliss.
Later in the day, I’d meet up with friends for drinks and a smoke before we’d stroll around, seeing where the night would take us. Our dinner reservation wouldn’t be until 11 pm, we had many a tapas bars to hit before then.
I wouldn’t lay in bed until three in the morning, on most nights, enjoying every second of this adventurous version of myself.
She was happy, she was free, she was in Spain.
Madrid
This was my favorite city I’ve been to in Europe for a few reasons. First, I loved all the architecture and how every walk you’d see something pretty. Whether that was strolling by the Royal Palace, the largest, functioning, royal palace in Europe, busy plazas, quiet parks, or world-renowned museums, there was always something to see.
I also was lucky enough to spend a local day in the city. I didn’t see a single person speaking English or giving turista vibes. My local friends took me to their favorite park, coffee shop, tapas restaurant, grocery store, and we ended the day smoking on their terrace with an extravagant cheese board - fue perfecto 🫶🏼
Madrid is a must-see city, if you’re only in Spain for a few days, I highly suggest you spend your time here. You can easily hop on a train to nearby Toledo or further destinations in under 3 hours!
My personal itinerary for Spain:
Keep in mind, I had some plans in Madrid I was working around, but overall I loved the flow of my trip!
Madrid (1 night) - Valencia (2 nights) - Madrid (2 nights) -
Granada (3 nights) - Madrid (2 nights)
🛏️ Hotel:
The Madrid EDITION
Sol /$$$/ Marriott
My favorite hotel I’ve ever stayed at. I’m a big fan of EDITION hotels, I love the decor, vibe, smell (le labo products), professional and kind staff, and room service. As a female solo traveler, I felt so safe and looked out for at this hotel! It was in a stellar location, super walkable to Plaza Mayor, Prado Museum, Royal Palace, and Temple of Debod.
There’s an onsite spa as well as a rooftop pool! After a long flight, this was sooooo ideal for me. I booked the Jet Leg spa treatment and transcended this reality. They use the best skincare products from Spain, I highly recommend you book a treatment here!!
I am a Marriott Bonvoy girly, not sponsored ☹️, and got hooked up with some suite upgrades throughout my different stays in Madird. Every room is gorgeous, but the suites are really breathtaking.
If you end up booking here, please let me know! I will be incredibly envious of your inevitable churros y chocolate late-night room service!
🥘🍷🍖Restaurants recommendations:
Charrúa Madrid - the coolest, most delicious steakhouse I’ve ever been to. First, the decor is so thoughtful and moody. I was being so obnoxious taking pictures but it was real life inspo for my forever home. Now the steak, my mouth waters thinking about it.
My cousin and I split the Galacian Beef T-Bone steak and got a bunch of sides. It was easily the best meal of the trip!
Tatel Madrid - this restaurant was soo much fun! It was kind of giving me Miami energy but in Madrid. First, you walk in and are greeted with an aperitivo before the Spanish band starts playing. It was such a lively dinner experience but they also had insane food.
Get the tortilla, tuna, and octopus here. Also, let the sommelier pick your wine! I did this at every restaurant I went to in Spain. I gave them a price range and let them pick for me, I was never disappointed!
TKO Tacos - best tacos I’ve had outside of Mexico! If there’s a line, wait in it, it moves quickly! Also, a good place to dine solo.
Penalver Taberna Restaurant - I was invited to dine here for a birthday dinner with a large group of people. This restaurant was spectacular, especially for a big group! I loved trying their different paellas, scallop dishes, and grilled vegetables. It was a great meal with delicious wine! We ate outside, highly recommend!
Mercadona - If you are looking for a cheap, quality meal, simply walk into any Mercadona! The local grocery chain has jamón iberico carving stations, the freshest produce, and the best selection to build your own charcuterie board!
🎨 Culture:
There are so many museums, art galleries, and historical sights to see in Madrid. If you only have time for one or two, I suggest you visit one of my recommendations:
Museo de Prado - You can find works from Goya, Dürer, and many more works from European artists. I enjoyed taking my time in this museum, please note they don’t allow photography and they will firmly remind you.
Museo Reina Sofia - Visit here to see Dali’s and Picasso’s art as well as other Spanish artists.
Royal Palace - This palace serves as the official home of the Spanish royal family. It’s the biggest, occupied, royal palace in Europe and open to the public for tours of the impressive grounds and interior.
Temple of Debod - From ancient Nubian times, this temple was donated to Madrid by the Egyptian government in the 1960s. It’s from the 2nd century!! How cool! There’s a nearby park you can hang out in that has nice views of the city and palace.
El Retiro Park - The most iconic park in Madrid, it’s huge and very popular with both locals and turistas. It’s massive, has a lake inside along with a crystal palace (currently closed for renovations), monuments, and gardens. A great place to get lost before a siesta in the grass.
🛍️ Shopping:
I love how Spanish women dress, it’s so airy, and chic. They love a ballet flat, trendy espadrille sandal, and an effortless outfit. I morphed into their aesthetic before the end of the trip.
Even a Spanish man complimented me on my style, he said I looked like a true European. He was probably just flirting with me, whatever, I graciously accepted the compliment, slay.
Local shops, not in tourist areas - these spots were the best for handmade ceramics, kitchenware, and jewelry. I also always love a good tourist shop for magnets and key chains. There’s a bunch to choose from around Plaza Mayor area.
Primor - Think of it as Spanish Ulta! I found a lot of my favorite cheap brand SHEGLAM products there. I loveee their highlighter, blush, and creamy eyeshadow. Also, I stocked up on ISDIN products! They have phenomenal body sunscreen and tinted facial sunscreen options. It’s a dermatologist-backed brand from Barcelona.
Stradivarius - I randomly walked into this store and was instantly obsessed.
Bershka - these were sooo good in Spain!
Zara - everyone knows EU Zara’s are better, check out the one in Sol area.
Uniqlo - international ones are always great, especially for basics
🪩 Nightlife:
I’m honestly not your girl for club recommendations, especially on an internatinal trip.
My recommendation for a fun night out in Madrid is tapas hopping. Go to a bar, order a drink, eat a free tapa, move to the next place. Try to do this in La Latina or Salmanca areas of the city. Enjoy where the night takes you!
If you’re into smoking weed, I recommend El Noviciado Social Club, you walk through a coffee shop to enter and just have to pay a membership fee to vibe out and smoke! They offer food and alcohol too, it’s a super cool space with indoor and outdoor seating. Please note, you can’t leave with the flower you buy.
🚄 Public transportation tips:
Subway: super easy to manage, get a metro card for the week to speed around the city. In my experience, there was rarely an empty car! It was standing room only but not as crammed as Japan.
Train stations: my only gripe against Madird… I hated the train stations. That’s because I’ve been spoiled with other international train stations. But seriously, Newark Amtrak station was a better experience than Madrid and that’s saying something!!
First, arrive at least 30 mins before departure time, earlier if you are not experienced with train travel. You will need to go through security first before getting to the gate area of the trains. The security is very simple, you put down your bags through a machine, get them on the other side and you’ll see a big board with trains and gate assignments. Anticipate a long, chaotic line to pass through and get your ticket scanned before descending to the train platform.
Once on, if you have a checked bag, you may have to move others, smaller bags, out of the way to put your on the oversize luggage. Carry-on luggage will easily fit over your seat!
Valencia
🛏️ Hotel:
Palacio Santa Clara
Historic Centre / $$$ / Marriott
This hotel was super walkable to Carrer de Colón, a popular shopping area of Valencia. This can be a very busy area during some times of the day, overall I really enjoyed my stay here. My room was beautiful, there was a cute rooftop pool area, and nice breakfast at their onsite restaurant.
🥘🍷🍖Restaurants recommendations:
Hundred Burgers - According to the web, it was once voted best burger in the world! It was delicious and a great place to eat with a group or solo dine.
Restaurante Escama - I stopped in here on a whim and had a great meal. Definitley recommend getting the octopus appetizer and paella! Also, a lot of locals were eating here, always a good sign.
Sushitio Centro - Satisfied my sushi craving and was a really trendy interior. I sat at the sushi bar listening to Bad Bunny while enjoying my fresh rolls, it was perfect.
Empanadas Malvón - If you’re hungry and graving a quick bite I suggest popping into this cute empanadas shop! Everything was delicious, and cheap!
🎨 Culture & 🛍️ shopping::
City of Arts and Sciences - This was the most futuristic architecture I’ve seen. It felt like you are temporarily on a different planet in the immense grounds that make up this one-of-a-kind complex. There’s an opera house, aquarium, interactive museum, and more - literally something for everyone! Even if you don’t want to go inside, just walking around is something free and fun to do while in Valencia!
Turia Gardens - I recommend walking through here as it will take you right to the City of Arts and Sciences! Enjoy a beautiful stroll through the lush gardens and people watching.
Valencia Cathedral - Where you can see the Holy Grail! I totally messed up and didn’t go see this, kicking myself for it.
Mulaya - This was a random store I popped into before dinner one night. They had cute clothes and accessories!
The area around my hotel suggestion has a bunch of cute stores within walking distance. There’s literally a Zara across the street! When I was in Valencia, I first discovered Strativarius!
Granada
🛏️ Hotel:
Hotel Palacio De Santa Paula
Royal Chapel area / $$ / Mariott
Overall, this was my smallest hotel room in Spain. It was a charming hotel, really nice staff and very walkable to all the things you’d want to do in Granada! They have a nice onsite restaurant, with good reviews, however, I ate out every evening!
🥘🍷🍖Restaurants recommendations:
La tarte de la madre de cris - The best, and I mean best, cheesecake I’ve had! All homemade and a lot of variety to choose from! Also, extra points for cute packaging.
La Freiduria de Tere- I stumbled in here, starving and hungover, and devoured the best calamari sandwich of all time. I didn’t take a pic, the woman who handmade it for me didn’t speak any English, and it was perfect. I did tell her I loved it, in my best Spanish, and she gave me the biggest smile as she thanked me.
cacho&pepe - This is a super, tiny shop, run by a woman from Italy, that blew me away with the quality of the food. The owner made every bite with love, it was my favorite meal in Granada. Which is really saying something as I didn’t have a bad meal!
El Orejas Cocinalenta - I went here with some American friends I had made earlier in the day. We split a fabulous, expensive steak and ordered a bunch of sides. I loved bonding with my new friends over our shared wanderlust. I hope they’re doing well on their adventures! 🫶🏼
🎨 Culture & 🛍️ shopping::
Albaicín Quarter - Stunning white houses and narrow streets that are easy to get lost in. You can pop into charming restaurants and tea shops here. Pro tip: pack comfortable shoes if you’re walking around here or Alhambra area!
The Alhambra - When you’re in Granada, you can’t miss it. It looms high above all other buildings, overlooking the city. A work of art in the form of a huge palace complex, it is a must-see. Don’t be an idiot like me and delay booking tickets for this in advance. I’m talking it sells out months in advance, I learned the hard way!
If you are unlucky, like I was, to get tickets, you can still walk around a lot of the grounds for free! I did that and still really enjoyed seeing so many stunning buildings.
La Alcaicería - Granada is known for it’s Moorish heritage and architecture. It’s a wonderful Spanish city that at times, makes you feel like you may be somewhere else entirely. Like strolling
📝 Revel & Motion tips:
Dining late is typical in Spain. Most of my reservations were after 9:30 PM! I enjoyed switching my normal routine up with this!
Do not order sangria. Instead, order tinto de verano! Whilst in Spain, that was my go-to drink, especially during the day! It’s easy to drink and I wish I could have one right now.
For your first time, get to the train station early. Especially if both Madird train stations are still under construction!
If you’re in very touristy areas, keep your wits about you for pickpockets. In general, I would suggest always carrying your passport with you and securely having it on your persons while traveling anywhere internationally.
At the Madird International Airport, in the American Airlines international terminal, they had some great last minute shopping! I bought a really cute swimsuit and dress from the MANGO there and a cute fan at a small vendor before being depressed in the lounge.
Try to learn a little Spanish before you go, the locals always appreciate if you try!
UberTaxi is easy once in the city, Blacklane is what I personally like to use for international airport pickup. They will have a driver waiting for you after baggage claim. Helps make the post-long flight transition vs. trying to locate a foreign uber pickup much easier!
Spain was a dream and I’m itching to go back. Don’t be surprised if I’m fluent in Spanish by 2027 and living in Madrid fulltime. Please, please if you go to any of my suggestions snap a picture for me! Let me know what you think! Thank you so much for reading my guide! 🇪🇸
Hasta luego, amantes 🫶🏼
🗣️ Basic Spanish:
¿Qué tal? … What’s up?
Me gusta … I like
No me gusta … I don’t like
Bien, gracias … Good thanks
¿Cómo te va? … How’s it going?
Todo bien … All good
La comida estuvo deliciosa … The meal was delicious
Muchas gracias … Thank you so much
Hotel price guide:
$ - under $250 USD a night
$$ - under $350 USD a night
$$$ - under $750 USD a night
- under $1,150 USD a night
omg you packed SO much into your trip!! i love this😭❤️ honestly makes me think about how much i can’t fucking wait to go to portugal in the summer to visit marta’s family.. thank you for this🥹 i’ve been to spain but never been to madrid, i really really need to add it to my list.