After more than a decade being spoiled by Manhattan’s highly organized and sensibly gridded streets, I’m trying to find my way around Madrid, my new home. Some long-time Madrileños have suggested a locations to orient my understanding of the city:
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The neighborhoods here are as distinct in style, smell, and population as they are in New York - so I’ll be working through them starting with my home - Arganzuela
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Getting to know the subway- most of the neighborhoods correspond to several subway stops (and unlike New York they’re named with little sense or reason) - and long-time residents tend to give directions relative to those stops and...
- A few key landmarks- the landmarks that I’ve heard mentioned most are two huge parks: El Retiro (Madrid’s Central Park) and Casa de Campo (enormous park just West of central Madrid); Atocha (Madrid’s Grand Central Terminal); Rio Manzanares (the river that hugs central Madrid); and the two ring roads: M-30 (32km long boundary of central Madrid) and M-40 (63km long)
I’ll let you know what fun facts and helpful hints I learn about these places as I get to know my city better.