Madrid in one day

Suggestion before beginning: if it's Sunday, take a look at the street vendors selling collectors' items.

9-10.30 am . Let's kick off in the Puerta del Sol, in Madrid city centre. Take a walk around the square and don't forget to get a picture of yourself beside the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, one of the symbols of the city. Then head towards Calle Arenal and find the 'Chocolatería San Ginés' where you can have breakfast Madrid-style with some chocolate con churros.

10.30-12.30 am. To help get your breakfast down, walk to the Teatro Real (Royal Theatre opera house), walk around it and you'll come to the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral next to it. Be enchanted by this architectural complex, unique in the world. You can visit the inside of the Palace, the Sabatini and the Campo del Moro Gardens.

12.30-14 pm . Along the Calle Mayor, we go deeper into the neighbourhood of 'Madrid de los Austrias' (old centre of Madrid built during the reign of the Habsburg Dynasty). A visit to the Plaza Mayor to have an aperitif is a must: what about a caña (small draft beer) and a calamari sandwich while sitting down on one of the terraces? Then have a look at the stamp and coin shops in the area, you might come across some treasure… Leave the Plaza through the Arco de Cuchilleros (the Cutlers' Arch) and lose yourself among the narrow little streets in this area.

14-16 pm . Lunchtime. Don't miss a magnificent Madrid cocido (stew) in one of the traditional restaurants in the city centre: La Bola, Taberna Daniela, Casa Ciriaco, Casa Marta, Casa Labra, Lhardy, La Taberna del Alabardero… Go on and try their specialities!!

16-18 pm . Feel the city by wandering around iconic streets such as Alcalá. You'll soon come to the Paseo del Arte (Paseo del Prado) where you'll find three of the best art galleries in the world: the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofía Art Museum. Maybe you could spend a few hours of your day in Madrid seeing some of their most renowned works.

18-19 pm . Soon you'll come to the Cibeles Fountain, the goddess that has become the symbol of the city and where one of the most international football teams celebrates its victories: Real Madrid. Just a few metres away, you'll see the Puerta de Alcalá (Gate of Alcalá). Why not take a few photos before visiting the Retiro Park, a real “green lung” in the city centre. Walk along its countless paths, sit down on a terrace or take a boat out on the lake. You'll love the experience!

19-21 pm . Set off on your path again and head towards the Gran Vía and its historical buildings. You'll also discover its more glamorous side: the Gran Vía of cinemas, theatres and musicals. Otherwise known as Madrid's Broadway. Go shopping in its countless shops or buy a ticket for a musical that takes your fancy.

21-00 am . We arrive at Plaza de España where we see a monument paying tribute to Miguel de Cervantes and two of his best-known characters: Don Quijote and Sancho Panza. Walk until reaching the Temple of Debod and have a rest while taking in the last rays of sunshine as they settle over the Egyptian monument and enjoy the night lighting on this fragment of Africa in Madrid. Afterwards, all that's left is to enjoy a nice dinner and some drinks around the Calle Princesa area.