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When the daughters of Spain’s aristocratic families withdrew from the outside world in the 17th century to live a life of devotion, they donated their wealth to this royal convent in the form of fabulous works of art (see Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales).

An attractive option for business travellers on a budget, just five minutes’ walk from Plaza de España. The nicely decorated rooms have satellite TV. Hotel facilities include conference room, bar and restaurant.

In the exclusive Puerto Hierro district, northwest of the city yet only a 15-minute cab ride away. Facilities are unbeatable: tennis courts, sauna, pool and a golf course nearby.

Art lovers on a budget should look no further than this modest-sized hotel, just across the road from the Prado. Some rooms have views of the famous avenue. Room safes and satellite TV are other pluses. Popular, so book ahead.

Lola Moriarty’s art gallery in Calle Almirante (still going strong) was enormously influential in promoting the careers of artists and photographers of the movida . Her husband, Borja Casani, was editor of Luna , a monthly magazine which published stories by Almodóvar and others. In 1984 Casani hired the entire Hotel Palace for a party attended by several thousand movidistas .

Remains of the medieval defences are best seen from Parque Emir Mohammad I. The original section is 9th-century.

The scale of the Archaelogical Museum’s fabulous collections can be daunting, so home in on what interests you most. The star turn on the main floor is the Lady of Elche , a stone bust of an Iberian noblewoman from the 4th century BC. Other highlights include a Roman mosaic floor representing the months and seasons, the exquisite Recesvinth crown from the Guarrazar treasure (Toledo, 7th-century), a matchless example of Islamic stone-carving from 11th-century Zaragoza, and an ivory processional cross from the church of San Isidoro in León (1063). On the lower floor are Bronze and Iron Age finds from the Canary Islands and a collection of painted amphorae from ancient Greece. Before leaving, take a look at the reproduction of the cave paintings of Altamira on display in the forecourt (see Museo Arqueológico Nacional).

This astonishingly diverse collection – paintings, sculptures, tapestries, glassware, porcelain and more – were originally the property of the 17th Marquis of Cerralbo. The museum’s 30,000 artifacts are housed in his palace and the rooms offer a fascinating window onto the life of Spanish aristocracy at the beginning of the 20th century (see Museo Cerralbo).