Julika

Published On: 2014/04/20

I love spring in Europe. And I love traveling in Europe in springtime, because of fewer crowds and the possibility of amazing weather. But it’s always a bit of a poker game — you never know what you’ll get until are really there: Last year, I saw beautiful Strasbourg on an almost summer-like April day, just to be massively rained on the next day. Back in May last year, I never needed a jacket in Switzerland, but was shivering in the rain in Holland for nine days straight. There’s honestly no way to speak of weather consistency during this time of the year — no matter where you are in Europe.

This March the my spring travel experience from last year seemed to repeat itself: I jaunted around three European capitals during the last few weeks and spring couldn’t have presented itself more differently: Berlin was cold and gray. Rome was perfectly warm and sunny without exception. And my girls getaway in Madrid? Well, in Madrid I experienced in true spring weather – meaning everything from pouring rain to storm clouds to glorious sunshine, all in just a few days.

Madrid, Spain

Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain

Madrid, Spain

Madrid, Spain

I have often mentioned that I don’t mind to travel in Europe in the rain. In fact, I really like it at times. I love how rain creates an entirely new kind of beauty within some cities that is so much fun to photograph. But still, I obviously like sunshine better, and I knowing I’d spend a spring weekend in the Spanish capital I never worried about bringing an umbrella. I mean, Madrid on the sunny Iberian Peninsula after all, right?!

#GirlsGoneMAD posing in Madrid, Spain

Madrid, Spain

Gran Vía, Madrid, Spain

But it came like it had to come: It rained a lot during my days in Madrid (while the rest of Europe enjoyed a perfectly warm and sunny spring weekend by the way). I tried to make the best of it, but despite my numerous visits to Spain, this was actually the first time I experienced rain there. In the beginning, I enjoyed seeing this different, moody side of Spain, I loved photographing the wet cobblestone streets, puddle reflections, and compensating with churros con chocolate and a whole lot of girl talk in the coffee shops of the city.

Rainy Madrid, Spain

Coffee in Madrid, Spain

#GirlsGoneMAD on a rainy day in Madrid, Spain

Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain

Madrid, Spain

Madrid, Spain

Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain

But as the rain lasted, leaving our cozy GowithOh apartment to sightsee didn’t sound like such a good option anymore. Instead Ashley, Jessica, Amanda and I spent hours on our kitchen table eating strawberries and drinking coffee, hiding from the rain outside. Luckily, the sun did show at least a little bit eventually — albeit on a stormy day with gloomy clouds. But it turned out that this was the most perfect day for some tinto de verano rooftop drinks and sunglasses. Because a city from the bird’s eye view gets so much more interesting if you add proper drama clouds (and a cocktail) to it!

Madrid, Spain

Jessica & Julika in Madrid, Spain

Madrid, Spain

Rooftop drinks, Madrid, Spain

On my last day in Spain, I was finally lucky enough to see Madrid in the sun for a few hours. Really just a few hours, but it was a brief moment of bright light and warmth — just enough for me to get freckles, have a café con leche in the sun, and take a few nice photos with blue skies. And that was everything I could have asked for from a spring weekend in Madrid!

Madrid, Spain

Blooms in Madrid, Spain

Café con leche, Madrid, Spain

Retiro park, Madrid, Spain

Spring travel in Europe sure has its ups and downs, but at least it never gets boring: I think I never took photos of a city in a course of only a few days making it look so diverse — and I feel lucky to have seen Madrid in so many different ways.

Madrid, Spain

Have you traveled Europe in springtime?
How did you like it?