We did some serious sight-seeing today, starting off from our room window!!! 

It overlooks the beautiful Plaza d'Oriente and the Palacio Real (named after a local soccer team I believe).

We worked our way south through the Plaza Mayor, Plaza del Sol and into the bustling El Rastro street market. This happens every Sunday and the Art and Craft on display is only surpassed by the cheaper prices. Amazing. For just a few euros I scored myself a very becoming Panama hat, I'll have you know.

The Puente de Toledo was originally built by the romans and is now sited with a lovely park and gardens underneath it. Lots of locals walking dogs, chatting, relaxing, jogging and generally enjoying themselves.

This is a VERY beautiful city, buildings seem to be about 4-5 stories only, squillions of shops and cheap eateries for every taste. And friendly. We have been offered assistance many times already by the locals just because they saw us reading a map. Some piccies for you.

 

Puenta de Toledo (an old roman bridge).

Puerta de Toledo

 Church of San Francisco del Grande

Cathedral de la Almudena

  Royal family of Spain

(This is a painting, not a photograph)

 Palacio Real, L'Armerie entrance and courtyard

Our  room again, very nice.

View from our room,over the Plaza d'Oriente and Palacio Real.

Also very nice.

El Rastro street market 

Busy Art and Craft market and amazingly cheap.

Edward Scissorhand busker.

Even the buskers were arty at El Rastro.

Anybody know what this place is?