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Specialities at the “Bear and Arbutus tree” (Madrid’s emblem) include the famous stew cocido (see El Oso y El Madroño).

The hurdy-gurdy by the door plays a version of the chotis , a traditional dance still performed by madrileños at the San Isidro festival. Order a plate of snails (caracoles ) and a glass of beer. The dining room also serves other typical Madrid fare (see El Oso y El Madroño).

The “Palace of Cheeses” is a tiny emporium specializing in wines as well as Spanish and imported cheeses.

El Pardo is now a suburb of Madrid but was in open countryside when Enrico III built a hunting lodge here in the early 15th century. The Palacio del Pardo was built by the Bourbons and substantially enlarged during the reign of Carlos III. More recently it was the official residence of General Franco. The tapestries, from sketches by Goya, are the outstanding feature.

Located in the trendy Malasaña district, this café and bar is decorated in belle époque style and is one of the oldest cafés in the area. On offer are home-made cakes and a wide choice of coffee. Come early evening for hot drinks or sip one of El Parnasillo’s famous cocktails later on. Snacks are also available.

Cocktails are the speciality of this Malasaña bar.

A popular hang-out with the young crowd, “the fat fish” offers a menu del día as well as tapas .

You can easily lose a day wandering around the quirky stalls of the city’s flea market and watching the bustling world go by in the many bars and cafés (see El Rastro).

Madrid’s famous flea market takes place every Sunday morning – unmissable (see El Rastro).

The roots of Madrid’s famous flea market go back more than 400 years. The location in Lavapiés, one of Madrid’s most colourful working-class neighbourhoods, is another plus (see El Rastro).