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This La Latina nightclub was one of the most important venues of the movida period. Regularly closed down by the police because of drug dealing, it was here that all the influential movida bands played.

Legend has it that this magnificent basílica occupies the site of a monastery founded by St Francis of Assisi in the 13th century. Work on the present building was completed in 1784 under the supervision of Francesco Sabatini. The focal point of the unusual circular design is the stupendous dome, 58 m (190 ft) high and 33 m (110 ft) in diameter. After 30 years of painstaking restoration, the 19th-century ceiling frescos, painted by leading artists of the day, are now revealed in their original glory. Take the guided tour to be shown other artistic treasures, which include paintings by artists Zurbarán and Goya (chapel of San Bernardino) and the Gothic choir.

This impromptu act in 1976 on Plaza Dos de Mayo reflected a new rebellious spirit in the capital.

Designed by Teodoro Anasagasti in 1922, this theatre, renowned for its acoustics, is the home of both the RTVE orchestra and choir (Spain’s state radio and television company) as well as the acclaimed Madrid Symphony Orchestra.

This beautiful theatre dates from 1856 and was built especially to stage zarzuela , a form of light opera unique to Spain and especially popular in Madrid. After decades of neglect zarzuela is now being revived and the theatre commissions new works from time to time as well as performing classic farces such as The Barber of Lavapiés and The Pharoah’s Court . The season runs from September to June. During the summer, the theatre is used for Flamenco, ballet and other cultural events.

The city’s state-of-the-art opera house finally re-opened in 1998 after a lengthy and hugely expensive restoration. Nothing new here – there were so many delays in constructing the original theatre that the architect, Antonio López Aguado, was long dead before the official opening in 1850 on Queen Isabel II’s birthday. Giuseppe Verdi wrote his opera The Force of Destiny for the Teatro Real in 1863 – he stayed at No. 6 Plaza de Oriente. The dimensions of the remodelled opera house are truly impressive: the architects calculate that the backstage area is large enough to contain the Telefónica building on Gran Vía (see Edificio Telefónica).

Since its renovation in the 1990s, Madrid’s splendid opera house has gone from strength to strength. This is the venue for classical operas, such as Mozart and Verdi, performed by international as well as Spanish companies. The season runs from September to July. If all you want to do is look around, the theatre is open for tours and there’s a café in the former ballroom (see Teatro Real).

On 23 February 1981 Franco loyalists under Colonel Antonio Tejero attempted a coup. Tejero forced his way into the parliament building, firing shots into the air. The conspiracy collapsed when the king confirmed that the army had remained loyal.

The “Valley of the Fallen” was General Franco’s memorial to his war dead from the Spanish Civil War. The crypt and basílica, cut into the mountainside, were built by prisoners. The most striking feature is a cross, 152 m (500 ft) high and 56 m (180 ft) wide, said to be the tallest in the world. Franco himself is buried in the crypt.