I loved getting to see Madrid through my weekly runs around the city. It was a great way to spend time by myself and discover the hidden secrets of Madrid. Here were some of my favorite places to run:
#1. Along my street in Malasaña Malasaña is a neighborhood near the heart of the city and is a popular hangout for college students. The tiny alleys of Malasaña are filled with vegan cafes, vintage stores, and tattoo parlors. This lends itself to creativity in just about any form as seen in the unique planters I would pass by everyday.
#2. Casa de Campo This park is filled with trees and many different trails, taking you into another world full of greenery that is uncommon in the city. One side of Casa de Campo neighbors European-style apartments, typical of downtown Madrid, but once you make it about a kilometer across the park, you get to see a different side of the city that is more residential and suburban.
#3. Templo Debod Once an ancient Egyptian temple that was rebuilt in Madrid, this landmark is both a tourist attraction and spot for locals. It’s close to Casa de Campo so I often finished my runs here. Beside the temple is a lookout that offers spectacular views of the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral and the rest of southern Madrid.
#4. Sabatini Gardens Located directly next to the Royal Palace of Madrid, this garden was originally built for the king and queen to enjoy. Now, the garden is open to the public and is a great place to run. The garden is maintained well and there are some fun mazes to walk through too.
#5. Toledo Bridge Puente de Toledo was developed in 1718 and is towards southern Madrid. It’s a landmark and great place to run, especially along the Manzanares River that surrounds the southwestern side of Madrid.
#6. Retiro Park No vist through Madrid would be complete without a trip to Retiro Park. I loved running through here or passing by on the way to the Prado Museum. Retiro is large and has a small lake where visitors can go pedal-boating. This park was a wonderful place to have picnics with friends, soaking up the sun and enjoying jamon and queso.
