All cities

Madrid

A high plateau, late dinners, and Goya's skies.

A capital on a dry plateau where lunch is at three and dinner after ten, with the Prado and the Retiro at the centre, vermouth in the bars and flamenco in the cellars.

Ten ways to spend the weekend

• The Romantics: A view at the right hour, a long dinner, one splurge, a slow Sunday.
• The Thrill Seekers: Dawn runs, coastal rides, a climb, a swim, and dinners you have earned.
• The Time Travellers: Old towns, the one building worth the ticket, and the tour that is actually good.
• The Food Pilgrims: Markets at opening, one tasting menu, a cooking class, the counter the locals queue for.
• The Night Owls: Late dinners, live music, the bars that matter, and the walk home at dawn.
• The Family Explorers: One big thing each half-day, playgrounds and water, early dinners, a nap built in.
• The Curious Wanderers: A bit of everything, well paced: the classic weekend with a few surprises.
• The Solo Traveller: Travel light, start early, sit at the bar, and let the city set the pace.
• The Slow Weekenders: Long breakfasts, a spa, one thing a day, and nowhere to be.
• The Three Generations: Grandparents, parents and children at one table: short walks, lifts, benches, big dinners.