Madrid

The vast, opulent official residence of the Spanish crown (used for ceremonies) – gilded throne rooms, frescoed ceilings and an armoury, with the cathedral and gardens alongside. Book ahead to skip the queue.

One of the world’s greatest art museums – Velazquez’s Las Meninas, Goya’s black paintings, Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights and centuries of Spanish and European masters. Free in the last two hours, but give it much longer.

Spain’s national museum of 20th-century art, built around Picasso’s monumental Guernica, with major Dali and Miro. Free on some evenings and Sunday afternoons – check ahead.