Spain

If you started on my Spain blog first, you might need to back up and read my Portugal post to understand how we lost a day in Spain, missed our flight, and even had to cancel our Granada tour. It is still depressing just thinking about it, but I am grateful we were able to make the most of the time we did have in Spain. Southern Spain in December was beautiful, warm enough to enjoy exploring but not too hot, and full of life and things to do.

When we first arrived in Marbella, we settled right into vacation mode with tapas by the water. It was such a fun experience to order lots of little dishes instead of one big meal, and it gave us a taste of so many flavors at once. I am not a seafood person at all, but I promised myself I would step outside my comfort zone in Spain, and I am so glad I did. The seafood was unlike anything I have ever tasted, fresh, flavorful, and absolutely unforgettable.

Later that afternoon, we grabbed an Uber and headed to Málaga. Since our time was limited, we bought tickets for the hop-on hop-off tour bus, which turned out to be a great way to see the highlights of the city and learn about its history in such a short time. As the sun set, we stayed in the city to watch the famous Christmas light show along Calle Larios, which was absolutely magical and worth the trip on its own.

Because we missed out on Granada, our Airbnb host kindly connected us with a driver who could take us to Setenil de las Bodegas and Ronda instead. It ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. Setenil was unlike anything I had ever seen, with homes and cafes built directly into and under massive rock overhangs. Walking through its streets felt surreal. From there, we made our way to Ronda, where we toured the iconic bullring and museum. You could almost feel the weight of history there, with stories of bullfights still lingering in the air. The views over the Puente Nuevo bridge were breathtaking, and it was easy to see why Ronda has inspired so many writers and artists over the centuries.

Once we made it back to Marbella that evening, we ended the day with what turned out to be one of the best paellas of my life. Nothing will ever compare, the flavors, the freshness, and the way it was prepared felt like the perfect finale to our short time in the south.

Since we were only in Southern Spain for two days because of the delay, it was already time to catch a train to Madrid, check into our hotel, and get ready for the New Year’s Eve festivities.

Madrid had a completely different energy than the south. Where Marbella felt calm and coastal, Madrid was alive, bustling, and full of excitement everywhere you turned. We stayed in the heart of the city, which made it so easy to explore on foot. One of my favorite things about Madrid was simply walking its wide boulevards, admiring the grand architecture, and discovering little hidden corners of the city. During our exploration, we stumbled upon a marathon taking place, which was exciting to watch as runners moved through the streets.

Food was, of course, a highlight of our time in Madrid. We started with another unforgettable pasta meal at a place called Cappuccino, which did not disappoint. Over the next couple of days, we explored more of the city’s highlights. The Royal Palace was absolutely stunning, and we continued to eat our way through Madrid, savoring everything from churros with chocolate to endless plates of tapas. One of the most memorable moments of the trip was being treated to a Flamenco show at Corral de la Morería for my birthday. The music, the dance, and the atmosphere made it a truly beautiful and unforgettable experience.

Before we headed to the New Year’s Eve festivities, we had to be sure to get a Covid test, because at this time, travel was not allowed without a negative result. Nothing like spending my birthday with a nasal swab, but it was a small price to pay for celebrating in Madrid on NYE.

For New Year’s Eve, the city came alive. We had the perfect spot in Puerta del Sol to ring in the new year, but about an hour before midnight, the police escorted everyone out of the plaza and made us all stand back in line to re-enter. At first it felt stressful, but everything truly happens for a reason. During that moment of chaos, we met five strangers from completely different walks of life. Somehow, we clicked instantly, celebrated together as if we had known each other for years, and even stayed in touch after the trip. They are still friends today, which made the night even more memorable.

Madrid was the perfect way to end our time in Spain. It gave us the energy, history, and culture of a capital city while still leaving room for moments of simple joy, like sipping coffee in a quiet plaza or people-watching late at night. Even though our trip did not go as planned, I could not have asked for a better ending.

✨ Pro travel tip: we flew back to the U.S. on New Year’s Day, and everything at the Madrid airport was closed. If you were hoping to stock up on duty-free goodies before boarding, well… tough luck, my friend.

Flamenco at Corral de la Morería

📍 Places I Visited

Old Town (Marbella): Wander through narrow cobblestone streets filled with flowers, whitewashed houses, and charming plazas.
Plaza de los Naranjos (Marbella): A lively square lined with orange trees, cafes, and traditional Spanish architecture.
Marbella Promenade: A beautiful walkway along the Mediterranean Sea, perfect for a sunset stroll.
Alcazaba of Málaga: A Moorish fortress offering stunning views and fascinating history.
Castillo de Gibralfaro (Málaga): Climb up for panoramic views of the city and the coastline.
Málaga Cathedral: Known as “La Manquita,” or the one-armed lady, because one tower remains unfinished.
Calle Larios (Málaga): The main street in central Málaga is famous for its spectacular light shows during Christmas.
Puente Nuevo (Ronda): The breathtaking bridge spanning the deep El Tajo gorge, Ronda’s most iconic sight.
Plaza de Toros (Ronda): One of Spain’s oldest bullrings, rich with history and architecture.
Old Town (Ronda): Wander through charming streets and soak in the Moorish influence.
Arab Baths (Ronda): Well-preserved 13th-century baths that showcase the town’s Islamic past.
Mirador de Ronda: Scenic viewpoints offering dramatic vistas of the gorge and countryside.
Cuevas del Sol (Setenil): Streets lined with houses built into the cliffs, shaded by enormous rock overhangs.
Cuevas de la Sombra (Setenil): Another stunning area where the streets seem swallowed by rock.
Local Tapas Bars (Setenil): Many are built directly into caves, making for a cozy and unforgettable dining experience.
Scenic Viewpoints (Setenil): Take in breathtaking views of the whitewashed village tucked beneath the cliffs.
Plaza Mayor (Madrid): A grand square filled with history, cafes, and people-watching.
Royal Palace of Madrid: Stunning architecture and lavish interiors, still used for official ceremonies.
Prado Museum: One of the world’s greatest art museums, home to masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and more.
Puerta del Sol: The heart of Madrid, known for its iconic clock tower.
Gran Vía: Madrid’s famous avenue for shopping, theaters, and vibrant nightlife.
Temple of Debod (Madrid): An ancient Egyptian temple gifted to Spain, with beautiful sunset views.

🏨 Where I Stayed

Marbella: Airbnb – 4.2/5 ⭐️
- I stayed in a cute Airbnb in central Marbella (unfortunately I don’t have the link), and our host was wonderful, she even helped us arrange a driver to take us to Setenil de las Bodegas and Ronda.
Madrid: Intelier Palacio San Martin – 4.5/5 ⭐️
- The room was really spacious and the location couldn’t have been better, right in central Madrid for all the NYE activities. We walked pretty much everywhere, and it was super convenient for catching the hop-on hop-off bus too.

📝 Travel Tips

Late schedule: Meals and nightlife run later than most places. Lunch is around 2–3 p.m. and dinner often doesn’t start until 9 p.m. or later.
Learn a few Spanish words: Even a simple gracias or buenos días goes a long way.
Carry cash: Cards are widely accepted, but small cafés, taxis, or markets may prefer cash.
Siesta hours: In smaller towns and southern Spain, shops may close in the afternoon. Plan sightseeing or meals accordingly.
Public transport: Trains, buses, and the metro (in big cities) are reliable and affordable. Book high-speed AVE trains in advance for cheaper fares.
Tapas crawl: Order small plates at different bars instead of one big meal.
Explore the Old Town in Marbella: Casco Antiguo is filled with whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, and flower-filled balconies.
Puerto Banús: Worth a stroll for yachts and people-watching, but avoid eating here, it’s overpriced.
Base for day trips: From Marbella, it’s easy to visit nearby villages.
Embrace late nights: Dinner doesn’t start until late; go with the flow and enjoy long evenings.
Catch the Puente Nuevo views in Ronda: See the famous bridge at sunset and again at night when it’s lit up.
Wear good shoes: Expect steep, cobbled streets.
Look beyond the bridge: Visit the Arab Baths and the bullring museum for history and culture.
Driving warning: The road to Ronda winds through mountains, stunning, but not for nervous drivers. We hired a driver for the day.
Art triangle in Madrid: Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen museums form Madrid’s “Golden Triangle.” Choose one if you’re short on time.

✨ Extra Tip: No matter where you are in Spain, take your time. Meals, sightseeing, and conversations are meant to be savored, not rushed.