Today I managed to get up at 10 (!!) and eventually woke everyone else up too so we could get going. No one was tired last night til after 11. Getting adjusted to new times especially when dinner doesn't happen til after 9 here. The place comes alive at night.

Yesterday we were on the hop on/off bus and it took us down the Gran Via (Great Way) which was originally planned as a thoroughfare joining different parts of the city. The architecture is STUNNING along here so we wanted to go back and explore a bit. On the walk there of course we discovered Calle Del Arenal - a wide pedestrian street that connects to other similar streets at Puerta Del Sol (a popular square). Shops, cafes, food stores. Wow. Loved this.
Through the winding pedestrian roads we ended up on Gran Via (see pic) and strolled all the way to Fuente de La Cibeles with the spectacular Palacio de Cibeles. Wow. That's the one in the photos with the "welcome refugees" sign in front.
Our final stop today was the Museo Arqueológico Nacional - Egyptian antiquities, ancient swords and weapons, sculptures and even a carriage 400 years old. Good one for the kids.
Afternoon snack at El Espejo - in a beautiful and funky glass dome building on the boulevard walkway.
Taxi back and rest for the evening. Hoping earlier to bed cuz tomorrow is earlier rise for train to Malaga and the Costa Del Sol coast. From city to beach!