Quite simply the most important art museum in Spain. Go for the huge concentration of masterpieces, among them Spanish Romanesque murals, Gothic altarpieces, Renaissance sculptures and the world’s greatest collection of works by Hieronymus Bosch – plus plenty of El Greco, and Dürer’s extraordinary 1498 ‘Self-Portrait’. Don’t miss the Velázquez Rooms, featuring the artist’s massive state portraits of Felipe IV and his court, with pride of place taken by the timeless ‘Las Meninas’.

On any given day, this 118-hectare park brims with joggers, boaters, picnickers and dog walkers alike. Casual strollers will enjoy checking out the monument to Alfonso XII; the Casón del Buen Retiro, a majestic ballroom that currently belongs to the Prado; and the Palacio de Cristal, built for the 1887 Philippine Exposition. The real highlight is one of very few statues dedicated to the devil, the famous Fallen Angel (Ángel Caído).

In a short time, Sala Equis has become wildly popular. The last X-rated cinema (‘sala x’) in the city has now been converted into a vast cocktail bar – though they’ve kept the projector for slightly more salubrious screenings. The 700-square-metre space is split into three areas: there’s the Sala Plaza, with its huge screen and cocktail bar; another sit-down space where you can relax on wooden benches and swings; and a 55-seat cinema where Sala hosts its well-curated film cycles.

Once one of the city’s main slaughterhouses, Matadero Madrid is now a super-cool cultural centre whose programme spans theatre, film, literature, cabaret and live music. Built in the early twentieth century in the Neo-Mudéjar style, the former abattoir was done up as a large, multidisciplinary arts space and reopened to much fanfare in 2007. Perched right on the bank of the Manzaneres, Matadero is worth a trip above all for its excellent free exhibitions and bustling weekend markets.

After two decades of decline, a group of shopkeepers at the Mercado de Vallehermoso decided to give new life to their historic workplace – allowing restaurants and bars like Prost Chamberí, Graciana and Craft 19 to set up on site. These days, the once-empty stalls are thriving thanks to the Galería de Productores initiative, made up of 22 local suppliers who sell foods produced exclusively in the Madrid region. Asian-Peruvian fusion stand Tripea has proved a particular hit.

Madrid’s biggest tourist attraction draws millions of visitors every year – mainly thanks to one painting, Picasso’s ‘Guernica’. But there’s so much more to this modern art museum than just that one masterpiece: its permanent collection takes in a broad sweep of twentieth-century Spanish art, while the temporary programme stacks up blockbuster show after blockbuster show. Its latest, ‘Mondrian and De Stijl’, runs until March 2021.

In Alameda de Osuna in the Barajas area, you’ll find this epic monument to eighteenth-century Romanticism. Spread across the 14 hectares of El Capricho (literally, ‘The Whim’), you’ll find an artificial river, lakes, woods, gardens, fake ‘temples’ and all manner of other surprising nooks. Though the park’s principal architect was Jean-Baptiste Mulot, a French gardener who worked for Marie Antoinette, most of Capricho feels more reminiscent of England’s landscaped gardens.

This project from Argentinian bartender Diego Cabrera came in at number 22 on a recent list of the world’s 50 best bars. The psychedelic neon decor is the perfect match for a menu that overflows with stupendously imaginative cocktails – think unusual ingredients, cutting-edge techniques and very original receptacles. Pair your cocktail of choice with one (or more) of the gastro offerings by Estanis Carenzo.

Housing the private collection of the late Baron Hans-Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, this museum displays more than 775 paintings, many of which are instantly recognisable. They initially arrived in Madrid on loan, but in 1993, a purchase agreement was signed with the Spanish government. Even among all the Van Goghs, Dürers and Hoppers, Roy Lichtenstein’s ‘Woman in Bath’ is the undeniable standout.

David Muñoz’s restaurant needs no introduction. In only a few years, this chef has gone from being a complete unknown to winning the Spanish National Prize for Gastronomy and being awarded three Michelin stars for DiverXO, where he’s honed his elaborate brand of haute cuisine (and where the flavours and textures impress as much as the frankly unusual cooking techniques). Expect many surprises. It can be difficult to book a table, so call well ahead.

The home of Spanish cinema, this chic art nouveau film archive may have been founded more than 50 years ago, but it’s still the coolest place to go for eclectic movie seasons. The heavyweight cycles are packed with experimental and auteur-style productions from through the past century, with most international films shown in their original language (with Spanish subtitles). Auditorium 1 is an especially atmospheric place to see silent movies, and in summer, you can’t pass up the rooftop bar.

The Teatro Real must be one of the most beautiful and iconic buildings in Madrid. A temple for opera, zarzuela and ballet, the theatre has been a staple of the Madrileño arts scene ever since it first opened its doors more than two centuries ago. Each season, the biggest national and international stars take to the stage, which is also open to the public for guided tours that let you explore the auditoriums and even dressing rooms. Keep your eye out for last-minute box-office deals.

One of the most talked-about openings of 2020, Bel Mondo is the debut outing for French restaurant group Big Mamma in the Spanish capital. Despite its frankly ridiculous size (900 square metres), the restaurant’s menu boasts everything you might expect from a homey street-corner trattoria. You could start with a frittatina (croquettes with a mozzarella and prosciutto centre), then you might grab an excellent thick-crust pizza. And for a dessert? It’s got to be the truly delectable tiramisù.

Right by the major thoroughfare that is the Paseo del Prado, just south of the Prado Museum, this green haven feels worlds away from the heaving city beyond its walls. With more than 30,000 plants from all over the world, a sign at the gardens’ entrance asks that you treat them as if they were a museum. But don’t feel bad about getting comfy with a book for a little while; this must be one of the city’s most scenic places to do just that. So kick back and savour those sweet floral aromas.