DESTINATION
The cultural route
Day one
Stay: The Palace, A Luxury Collection Hotel
Picasso and Dalí both had sleepovers in this hotel, which opened in 1912. These days, steps from Madrid’s Golden Triangle (also known as the Paseo del Arte), it’s the ideal spot to explore the city’s art history. The Palace, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Plaza de las Cortes, 7, Centro, 28014 Madrid
Culture: Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
As well as showing the works of Joan Miró and Juan Gris, Reina Sofía is home to Picasso’s iconic painting, Guernica. Perhaps the most wonderful space, though, is the sculpture garden, with a huge mobile by Alexander Calder. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Calle de Santa Isabel, 52, Paseo del Arte, 28012
Wander: Parque del Retiro
This was once a private retreat for the kings of Spain. Among the raspberry ripple of flowerbeds, tai chi groups practise in the sunshine and saxophonists play by the water. Seek out the rose garden, with thousands of bushes and a tunnel of frilly petals. Parque del Retiro, Paseo de República de Cuba, 4, 28009
Tapas: Bar Manero
Bar Manero serves food from 1 pm to 2 am; pop in to find glass chandeliers like upturned Victorian jellies and silver ice buckets chilling bottles of Dom Pérignon. This place is known for its caviar – a small portion can be added to any dish. Bar Manero, Calle de Claudio Coello, 3, Salamanca, 28001
While the rest of the behemoths along the Paseo del Arte are all backed up with queues, this secluded garden remains relatively quiet.
Explore: Real Jardín Botánico
While the rest of the behemoths along the Paseo del Arte are all backed up with queues, this secluded garden remains relatively quiet. Wander the glasshouses filled with ferns and through the whimsical tunnel dripping with grapevines, built from wrought iron in 1787. Real Jardín Botánico, Plaza de Murillo, 2, Paseo del Arte, 28014
Culture: CaixaForum Madrid
When an austere power station was built on Paseo del Arte in the 1900s, it wasn’t welcomed by the noblemen who sauntered the promenades. Little did they know it would later become the capital’s new cultural hub with an excellent roster of contemporary art and history exhibitions. CaixaForum Madrid, Paseo del Prado, 36, Paseo del Arte, 28014
Culture: Museo Nacional del Prado
It’s one of the most dazzling art galleries in the world, so a visit to the Prado could easily fill an entire day. For those who don’t have a day, track down Las Meninas by Seville-born Diego Velázquez. Museo Nacional del Prado, Plaza de Murillo, Paseo del Arte, 28014
Supper: Deesa
Chef Quique Dacosta cooks up sole with aged sake beurre blanc, followed by a golden lemon sabayon at this lavish two-star restaurant inside the Mandarin Oriental Ritz. Deesa, Plaza de la Lealtad, 5, Retiro, 28014
Day two
Head to: La Granja de San Ildefonso
After a breakfast of Eggs Benedict made with jamón Ibérico at the hotel, hop in the car and head out of town – the drive is around an hour and a half. La Granja de San Ildefonso, Pl. de España, 8, 40100, Segovia
See: El Palacio Real de La Granja de San Ildefonso
Born in Versailles, Philip V, the first Bourbon king of Spain, commissioned this French-style palace and gardens to evoke the French palace he grew up in. The water fountains are a spectacle, while La Granja, the royal glass factory, is a showcase of centuries of artisanal craftsmanship. El Palacio Real de La Granja de San Ildefonso, La Granja de San Ildefonso, Pl. de España, 8, 40100, Segovia
En route to Las Rozas Village, stop off for a cortado and slice of homemade orange cake at this charming café in El Escorial before wandering the cobbled streets...
Lunch: Casa Zaca
Local delicacy, judiones de la Granja, a velvety butter bean stew made with chorizo and serrano ham, is best tried at the homely Casa Zaca. The rice pudding ice cream is also a must-order. Casa Zaca, Calle Embajadores, 6, 40100 Real Sitio de San Ildefonso
Coffee: Pan y Canela, El Escorial
En route to Las Rozas Village, stop off for a cortado and slice of homemade orange cake at this charming café in El Escorial before wandering the cobbled streets and taking in the enormous sixteenth-century monastery. Pan y Canela, El Escorial, Plaza de la Constitución, San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Head to: Las Rozas Village
It’s just another half an hour’s drive to reach Las Rozas Village, where you’ll find 110 boutiques, complimentary parking and electric vehicle charging points on hand. Las Rozas Village, Calle Juan Ramón Jiménez, 3, 28232 Las Rozas de Madrid
Shop: Adolfo Dominguez
Founded in Galicia in the 1970s, Adolfo Dominguez made its name with the motto “la arruga es bella” – “wrinkles are beautiful”. Look for tailored linen jackets, pleated trousers and simple cotton shirts that embody Spanish elegance. Adolfo Dominguez, Las Rozas Village
Shop: Ecoalf
Founded in Madrid, Ecoalf transforms recycled plastic bottles, fishing nets and discarded cotton into understated wardrobe staples. Its minimalist trainers, quilted jackets and clean-cut sweatshirts are hardwearing pieces made to last. Ecoalf, Las Rozas Village
Shop: BIMBA Y LOLA
This playful Spanish brand was founded in 2005 by sisters María and Uxía Domínguez – nieces of Adolfo. The accessories are particularly good – a mix of black crochet-style beach bags, colourful resin keyrings and patchwork umbrellas. BIMBA Y LOLA, Las Rozas Village
Dinner: Cristina Oria
The restaurant group has three sites in Madrid itself, but its Las Rozas Village spot is the perfect way to end a busy shopping trip. Pick from a crowd-pleasing menu that includes a chopped chicken salad, cheeseburgers and steak tartare with fries. Cristina Oria, Las Rozas Village
Sunshine staples
Sandro
BIMBA Y LOLA
Coach
