After a pleasant lunch, we decided to walk over to the Real Jardin Botanico. We started at Plaza de la Independencia with Puerta de Alcala standing proudly in the center of the square.
Puerta de Alcala in Plaza de la Independencia
From there, we made our way along Calle de Alcala in the direction of Plaza de Cibeles.
Plaza de Cibeles with the sculpture of Cybele
At Plaza de Cibeles we turned left on Paseo del Prado. It is one of Madrid’s great walking streets, broad and elegant, with a green center island running down the middle and important buildings and monuments appearing one after another as you go.
Along the way, there was no shortage of things to see: the Palacio de Comunicaciones, the Palacio de Linares, the Metropolis Building in the distance, and the Fountain of Apollo. Madrid has a way of rewarding you simply for walking.
Top left: Palacio de Comunicaciones; Top right: Palacio de Linares; Middle: Street scene with tower of Palacio de Comunicaciones in background; Bottom left: Metropolis Building; Bottom right: Fountain of Apollo
The stroll along Paseo del Prado was lovely. It was sunny, comfortable, and full of life. At one point, a group of women passed us wearing matching shirts that announced them as “The Singing Ladies.” True to their name, they were singing as they walked.
The Singing Ladies
As we continued toward the Botanical Gardens, we passed the Prado Museum, partially hidden behind the trees, and the Monument to the Heroes of the Second of May.
The Prado Museum
Monument to the Heroes of the Second of May
Then, after a pleasant stroll, we arrived at the Real Jardin Botanico. It was one of those Madrid afternoons that seemed made for wandering: bright sun, a comfortable breeze, and enough color to remind us that spring had arrived. Let’s take a stroll through the gardens and see what Madrid has to offer.
Botanical Gardens
Although it is early spring the blooms, especially those from bulbs, were colorful and beautiful. The daffodils, tulips, camellias, and other early flowers gave the garden a fresh, cheerful feeling.
The gardens are laid out in a grid pattern. The flowering plants were near the entrance and those to bloom later were further in. It gave the sense that the garden was just beginning to wake up.
Now, there was a black and white bird, with blue highlights, that caught my attention. I began tracking him with the intent of getting a good photograph. At first I saw him walking along the path as if he had no cares in the world.
Black and white strolling bird
Then he took flight and I kept trying to get the perfect photo. Finally, he landed in a tree where I was able to grab another shot of him at rest, at least for the moment.
Bird at rest
There were more blooms to enjoy as we continued through the garden: soft camellias, purple flowers, white tulips with red accents, and beds of spring color.
I especially like the translucent quality of the tulips in this photo. The light seemed to pass through them, giving the flowers a delicate, almost glowing appearance.
I also enjoyed this small grouping of blue birds tucked among the greenery. The garden was full of small discoveries like that — flowers, sculpture, birds, shadows, and quiet corners.
A gathering of blue birds
Inside the Gardens’ exhibition hall, there was an art exhibit entitled Día y Noche — Day and Night. The exhibition featured the work of Dutch artist Claudy Jongstra and Spanish fashion designer Marcos Luengo. It brought together fashion, textile art, and the natural world, showing how art and nature can speak to one another.
One piece in particular clearly represented Día y Noche to me. The dark, translucent fabric and the shadow it cast on the wall seemed to capture the idea of day and night perfectly.
Dia y Noche in my opinion
There was one more piece from the exhibit, and then one last flower before we made our way back to the Palacio de los Duques.
It had been a simple afternoon: lunch, a walk, a garden, a few birds, some flowers, and a little art. But sometimes that is exactly what makes a travel day memorable.