20-21 June 2025
Madrid is too dam hot! So much so, we dropped our bundle on our first day!
We arrived at our hotel around midday and temperatures were already mid 30’s and still climbing. We didn’t realise how much of a difference being on the coast can make with how hot it feels! But determined not to miss out on anything we ventured out and headed for the gardens thinking that they would offer some shade.
We got a little confused, between the main Retiro park and the botanical gardens, so ended up paying entry into the botanical gardens. Whilst no complaints other than the poor rose gardens had seen better days, we eventually headed towards the Retiro park and in particular, the crystal palace. We didn’t make it! After a steep climb up the street to the park we flopped down in the park on the first piece of shady grass we could find. After a snooze we decided to retreat back to the hotel and regroup.
We finally ventured out at 8:30pm with the temperature at 34 degrees and slowly dropping. After an early dinner by Spanish standards we took in the major sites.
We had planned on a day visit to Toledo, but the forecast for Toledo was going to be nudging 40 degrees so was an easy decision to abort and instead, give Madrid a better go.
We faired much better than the day before, but we still retreated by 4 in the afternoon for a siesta. Unfortunately we failed a second time to visit the park as an evacuation was in progress just as we got to the main gates. The authorities had made the decision to close the park for safety reasons due to the high temperatures and forecast strong winds.
So we now have some unfinished business in Madrid for another time. Other than the hot temperatures (we wouldn’t recommend visiting during the summer months) Madrid was a bit of a surprise package in that the Spanish have obvious pride in this city and it shows in the beautiful buildings and streets.
We’re now off to Barcelona where the forecast temperatures are a little more manageable at around 30 degrees!