The capital of Spain is one of the most interesting and eclectic cities to spend a weekend or several months in. More than 3 million inhabitants and 9 million annual visitors can’t be wrong. With tapas, parks and beautiful sunsets, you’re going to love it too.

You can visit internationally-acclaimed museums and take advantage of the culture on offer around Gran Vía. It’s our own answer to Broadway, but with excellent Mediterranean gastronomy and unrivalled nightlife. Madrid is a city that comes alive after dark.

Here you can try the world’s tastiest tortilla and best cañas (typical Spanish small beers). You can dance until sunrise in the coolest bars, go shopping in the trendiest boutiques, or wander the cobblestone walkways like a true Madrilenian.

The city’s charming energy will follow you where you go, from when you wake up for a breakfast of churros, until you go to sleep after a slap-up meal from top restaurant in the barrio de Salamanca.

As a starting point for exploring the city, we recommend the very centre of Madrid, Puerta del Sol, the literal and metaphorical Kilometre Zero from where you’ll begin your journey. Stroll through the alleys in the barrio de Las Letras. Take a walk through Retiro Park and the Paseo del Prado. Lose yourself in the streets of La Latina. Fall in love with the charm and glamour of Chamberí.

Madrid is brimming with excellent things to do, each one better than the last. Here are our favourites.