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Morning

To get to Manzanares, take bus No. 721 from Plaza de Castilla, alighting at Avenida de Madrid. There’s a supermarket near the bus stop if you want to take a picnic. Take Calle del Castillo as far as Calle de Cañada and the restored 15th-century castle, from where there are good views of the storks fishing in the reservoir. Return along Calle de Cañada to the old town square, Plaza del Generalísimo, where you’ll find several nice cafés and bars if you are ready for a coffee stop.

Cross the tree-sheltered Plaza del Raso, passing a small cemetery, and you’ll come to the 16th-century Church of Our Lady of the Snows with its elegant Renaissance portico. Walk around the church for more views of the lake. Return to Plaza del Raso and take Calle Real, crossing the River Manzanares to the ruins of the old castle (castillo viejo ). Then follow the river to the Chapel of the Holy Rock (Ermita de la Peña Sacra ), built on a huge granite slab. Every Whitsun a procession in honour of the Virgin makes its way here from the cemetery.

Cross the river and turn left to Calle del Tranco, where the El Tranco restaurant makes a pleasant lunch stop (see El Tranco).

Afternoon

Spend a leisurely afternoon enjoying the invigorating, fresh mountain air and splendid vistas of La Pedriza regional park.

Morning

Catch the first guided tour of the morning (10:30am) at the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales . On leaving, cross Plaza San Martín to Calle de Hilera, then turn right onto Calle del Arenal. Follow this busy street to Plaza de Isabel II, the best place to admire Madrid’s opera house, the Teatro Real. Follow Calle Felipe V alongside the theatre until you come to Plaza de Oriente and the Palacio Real . The palace is closed at least once a week for official functions but, if it is open, it is worth allocating an hour to looking around.

There are plenty of places to eat in the vicinity of Plaza de Oriente, for example the café of the same name (see Café de Oriente). A plaque on the wall nearby reminds visitors that this was once the treasury house where the artist Velázquez had his studio.

Afternoon

After the frantic activity of the morning, enjoy a restful afternoon in the Casa de Campo park. If you didn’t lunch at a café, a picnic may be a good idea. You could stock up at the Oriente’s delicatessen, just round the corner at Calle Carlos III, 3 (see El Obrador del Café de Oriente). To get to Casa de Campo take the metro from Opera (on Plaza Isabel II) to Lago (line R to Principe Pío, then line 10). Here you can either enjoy a spot of peaceful sunbathing and people-watching, or take in one of the many attractions of the park.

Morning

Begin at Plaza de Cibeles and take a peek at the palatial central hall of the Main Post Office (see Palacio de Comunicaciones). Plans to redirect traffic away from the Paseo del Prado have been frustrated, but the central boulevard still makes a pleasant walk, with plenty of shade in summer. Cross the road to Plaza de la Lealtad and the garden terrace of the Hotel Ritz – a delightful spot for coffee.

Continue past the Neo-Classical façade of the Museo del Prado and you’ll come to Plaza de Murillo and the Real Jardín Botánico. Allow at least an hour here to make the most of the verdant tranquillity.

On leaving the garden, cross the Paseo del Prado and double back to Plaza Cánovas del Castillo and Ventura Rodríguez’s splendid Neptune Fountain. The small side streets here are crammed with plenty of tempting tapas bars and restaurants. You could try La Platería for a light lunch.

Afternoon

After lunch, take the small detour into Plaza de las Cortes, to admire the impressive portico of the Congreso de los Diputados . Return to the Paseo del Prado and on your left is the Museo ThyssenBornemisza which will occupy the rest of the afternoon. Take the central boulevard to return to your starting point, Plaza de las Cibeles.

Morning

Leave Serrano metro station, heading south and limber up with a spot of window shopping on Salamanca’s main fashion drag. Turn left into Calle Columela – try not to pay too much attention to Mallorca’s mouthwatering displays of cakes and pastries – then left again into Calle Claudio Coello, a delightful street lined with private art galleries, antique shops and boutiques. Don’t miss Capa Sculptures (No. 19) and Monasterio Antígüedades (No. 21). Look left at Calle de Goya for the entrance to the shopping mall, El Jardín de Serrano . Cross Goya, then continue along Calle de Claudio Coello to Calle de Hermosilla.

As many Spanish shops still take an extended lunch break and siesta from 2pm to 5pm, this is the perfect moment to stop for lunch. Choices abound, but leading contenders include Teatríz for more formal eating, the tapas bar at Estay or the reasonably priced pizza and pasta joint, Gino’s .

Afternoon

Give Calle de Hermosilla the once-over, then resume your walk on Calle Claudio Coello, which boasts designer names such as Angel Schlesser, Antonio Pernas and Cristina Castañer . At Calle de Ayala turn left to return to Calle de Serrano, where you can either ogle over the designer goods and dream, or blow your budget on a beautiful handbag or pair of shoes.

Morning

Start the walk outside the Casa de Correos in Puerta del Sol , a popular meeting point for madrileños . Cross the square in the direction of the bus stops, then turn on to Calle de Alcalá. This busy street is lined with fine examples of 18th- and 19th-century architecture. Two examples on your left are the Casa de la Aduana and the Real Academia de Bellas Artes . Take time to visit this often overlooked gallery, with its small, but quality, collection of paintings. Next door is the showy façade of the Casino de Madrid.

Cross Calle de Alcalá when you reach the junction with Gran Vía, then head for coffee in the Círculo de Bellas Artes . As you make your way back to Gran Vía look up to admire the Metrópolis building, then take a stroll along Madrid’s bustling main avenue.

When you’re ready for lunch, escape the crowds by turning into Calle de Hortaleza, then Calle de la Reina. At No. 29 is La Barraca , famous for its paellas .

Afternoon

Head back to Gran Vía and continue to Plaza del Callao. Turn left into Calle de Preciados, a pedestrianized street dominated by two large department stores, FNAC and El Corte Inglés. After a leisurely browse around the shops, return to Puerta del Sol as it begins to liven up for the evening.