Art meets Shopping

This itinerary could be day-two of a long weekend when combined with Madrid-in-a-day, but don't try and squeeze all these highlights into two days unless you have to.

This itinerary involves around 5km/3miles of walking; which will typically take around 1 hour.

Morning

Chose between one of the Madrid's other great art museums: the relatively lighter and more eclectic collection of Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza; or the Museo Reina Sofía, where you'll find Picasso's iconic Guernica, as well as stunning work from Dalí, Miró and Tapìes.

Afterwards head across the Paseo del Prado for a refreshing stroll along the tranquil pathways of the Jardín Botánico followed by a coffee or aperitivo at the El Botánico café opposite.

On the other side of the Paseo del Prado, the vertical garden of Caixa Forum is worth a look and keep an eye out too for any temporary shows at this innovative exhibition space.

Lunch

For a light lunch of delicious canapés try Taberna La Dolores and take in the wonderful ceramic tile decor as you enjoy the refreshments.

The nearby La Fábrica (C/de Jesús, 2) is just as good for canapés, while the Cervecería Cervantes on the same street serves more substantial offerings.

Afternoon

Head up Calle Fuencarral and dip into the side streets of the Chueca & Malasaña neighbourhoods for some retail therapy. Here hip and trendy independent stores rub shoulders with well-known outlets.

The delightfully idiosyncratic Museo Nacional de Romanticismo and the fascinating Museo de Historia de Madrid are both in this area.

Evening

Pop into the fashionable refurbished Mercado de San Antón or Taberna Ángel Sierra for an early evening drink, then eat at La Carmencita, or head to one of the other tapas bars and beerhouses scattered throughout Chueca & Malasaña.

To finish off the evening with live music head to Sala Clamores on Calle Albuquerque which offers a varied diet of jazz, rock and blues.