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The Bank of Spain was founded in 1856 and 20 years later acquired the exclusive right to issue bank notes in its name. The most impressive part of these headquarters is the corner section, decorated with typical Neo-Baroque ornamentation – caryatids and medallions, a marble clock and the distinctive golden globe. Spain’s gold reserves are locked away in the vaults beneath Plaza de Cibeles. Apart from gold, the bank’s main treasure is its art collection, with works ranging from Goya to Tàpies. It can only be viewed by written application to the bank.

Located in the Art Deco Carrión building, this cinema’s greatest moment occurred early in the Civil War when Eisenstein’s stirring movie Kronstadt was shown to an audience including the President of the Republic and leading military figures. Films are screened in Spanish. Two screens.

Not a casino but an exclusive gentlemen’s club, founded in 1910. The florid architecture by Luis Esteve and José López Salaberry is typical of the period. No expense was spared on the lavish interior which, unfortunately, is not usually open to the public.

The cinema of the fine arts centre (see Círculo de Bellas Artes) shows classic movies by famous 20th-century directors such as Eisenstein, Fassbinder, Francis Ford Coppola and John Huston.

Now the headquarters of Spain’s national telephone company, this was Madrid’s first high-rise building. Designed by American architect Lewis Weeks in 1929, it reflects the values of the Chicago School then much in vogue. The Telefónica building played an important role in the Civil War when it was used by the Republican army as a vantage point for observing enemy troop movements in the Casa de Campo. Conversely, Franco’s forces found it an ideal range finder for their artillery. The Fundación de Arte y Tecnología Telefónica has an interesting exhibition on the history of communications, as well as a splendid art collection, with works by Picasso, Juan Gris, Eduardo Chillida and Antoni Tàpies.

The story of the founder of Spain’s premier department store, Ramón Areces Rodríguez, is a classic tale of rags-to-riches. Rodríguez emigrated to Cuba aged 15 and worked as a shop assistant before returning to Spain in 1934. The following year he opened a small tailor’s in Calle de Preciados and never looked back. Nowadays you’ll hardly leave your hotel without noticing the distinctive white shopping bags with the green logo. The store at Preciados No.1 sells CDs, No.2 stocks more than half a million books and No. 3 specializes in fashion. There are more than half a dozen other branches in the capital.

Venue for concerts by Spanish and international bands that date from the Movida period (see People and Places of La Movida). Reasonable bar and entry prices.

Great views of the Gran Vía and Alcalá can be had from the first floor of this restaurant, which entertains customers with disco music and floor shows in the evenings.

Mainstream movies are shown here in the original language version with subtitles in Spanish. Reduced prices on Wednesday. Four screens.