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This modern 4-star hotel is situated on the fringes of Salamanca, so it’s no surprise that many of its regular clients are from the fashion and media worlds. All rooms have similar wooden furnishings but only some have a terrace. The restaurant serves Spanish and international cuisine.

In 1991 the socialists lost power in Madrid, a sign that the social climate was turning against the movida .

This former Professor of Marxist philosophy was elected Mayor of Madrid in 1979 and it was his tolerant and relaxed approach that made the movida possible. One million people attended his funeral in 1986.

The liberal-minded mayor was elected in 1979.

Madrid’s most popular mayor (elected 1979) embraced the movida (see Enrique Tierno Galván).

Signature Mexican dishes include “devil salad” with prawns, mango, coriander and chicken in hot chocolate sauce (mole ).

The international wine list runs to more than 200 varieties. Speciality snacks include habas (salted broad beans) served with jamón Ibérico .

Rounding off the Christmas festivities is the Cabalgata de Reyes (procession of the kings). Floats parade along Calle Alcalá, through Puerta del Sol, ending in Plaza Mayor. The three kings are played by local politicians.

As the name suggests, this outlet caters for the soccer fan, with a strong bias towards local favourites, Real Madrid. Sells scarves, balls, calendars, clocks and other promotional items.

The hermitage dedicated to St Anthony of Padua was completed in 1798. Goya began work on his sublime frescoes in June and by December they were finished. It was on St Anthony’s Day (13 June) that a procession of unmarried girls would come to the hermitage to ask the saint to find them a husband.