After getting in late last night, we had a nice sleep-in this morning before venturing downstairs for breakfast.

Breakfast.
Breakfast.
Breakfast.
Breakfast.
Breakfast.
Breakfast.

After breakfast, we headed out to explore Madrid on foot. With no particular agenda, we decided to walk to Retiro Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a cultural and recreational hub for Madrileños. Along the way, we passed some interesting buildings and monuments.

The Fuente de Cibeles (Fountain of Cybeles) in Madrid.
The Fuente de Cibeles (Fountain of Cybeles) in Madrid.
Palacio de Cibeles (Palace of Cibeles), one of Madrid’s most iconic buildings.
Palacio de Cibeles (Palace of Cibeles), one of Madrid’s most iconic buildings.
The Puerta de Alcalá in Madrid.
The Puerta de Alcalá in Madrid.

We got to Retiro Park around 12:30 pm. Even though it’s a weekday today, the park was very busy. We had a nice walk around the park.

The Fuente de la Alcachofa (Artichoke Fountain) in Retiro Park, Madrid
The Fuente de la Alcachofa (Artichoke Fountain) in Retiro Park, Madrid
The Monumento a Alfonso XII (Monument to Alfonso XII) in Retiro Park.
The Monumento a Alfonso XII (Monument to Alfonso XII) in Retiro Park.
Andrea, in Retiro Park.
Andrea, in Retiro Park.
Retiro Park in Madrid.
Retiro Park in Madrid.
The Fuente de los Galápagos (Fountain of the Turtles) in Retiro Park, Madrid
The Fuente de los Galápagos (Fountain of the Turtles) in Retiro Park, Madrid
Black swans in Retiro Park, Madrid.
Black swans in Retiro Park, Madrid.
Retiro Park in Madrid.
Retiro Park in Madrid.
The Monumento al General Martínez Campos in Retiro Park, Madrid.
The Monumento al General Martínez Campos in Retiro Park, Madrid.
The Monumento a Miguel de Cervantes (Monument to Cervantes) in Retiro Park, Madrid.
The Monumento a Miguel de Cervantes (Monument to Cervantes) in Retiro Park, Madrid.
The Fuente de los Amorcillos (Fountain of the Cupids) in Retiro Park, Madrid.
The Fuente de los Amorcillos (Fountain of the Cupids) in Retiro Park, Madrid.

After spending about an hour in Retiro Park, we left and walked through some very nice neighbourhoods around the park, on our way to Calle de Serrano (Serrano Street), where we did a little bit of shopping.

Andrea, on Calle de Serrano in Madrid.
Andrea, on Calle de Serrano in Madrid.

From Calle de Serrano, we walked to Plaza Canovas del Castillo, where we stopped at a Starbucks for a cold drink.

Starbucks Tiramisu Latte (very sweet but surprisingly good!).
Starbucks Tiramisu Latte (very sweet but surprisingly good!).

Feeling a bit more energised after a rest and a cold drink, we continued on to the Sixt Car Rental office.

Andrea, on the way to the Sixt Car Rental office in Madrid.
Andrea, on the way to the Sixt Car Rental office in Madrid.

Picking up the car took a lot longer than anticipated but, eventually, we were on our way in a brand-new BMW X7. Our choice of car was far from ideal for the Madrid traffic, and proved particularly tricky in the narrow street in which our hotel was located.

When we got back to the hotel, we decided that we’d stay in for the night and have room service for dinner.

Dinner.
Dinner.
Dinner.
Dinner.
Dinner.
Dinner.

Tomorrow, we’re embarking on a road trip through Portugal and Spain. We’ve got a pretty big day of driving tomorrow to get to Porto in Portugal, so we’re planning to depart just after breakfast.