Madrid has been described as the sunniest, liveliest and highest capital in Europe. It has rightly garnered a fine reputation for the magnificence of its cultural offerings. There is an incredible array of activities and sightseeing opportunities in this Spanish city full of passion and many layers of history. Arrivals are warmly welcomed and those on short stopovers will need to be selective in order to make the most of what is sure to be a memorable visit.

Madrid is a marvellous destination to visit all-year round, but in October, the vibrant cosmopolitan melting pot offers beautiful clear days and eye-catching autumnal colours in the majestic parks. There are also many festivals and events to enjoy during this season. Naturally, a major capital such as Madrid is blessed with a slew of luxury hotels, as well as great historic hostelries with wonderful neoclassical facades, and even transformed century-old palaces with all the modern comforts.

Museum mile

One of the most famous is Museo Nacional del Prado, housed in Juan de Vilanueva’s imposing neoclassical building, an architectural masterpiece in its own right. There are many notable works here, including inks by Spanish masters, most notably Goya. Great pieces from Rubens, Rembrandt, Botticelli, Bosch and many others grace the splendid walls.

Goya’s paintings can also be admired on the ceiling of Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida, once a humble hermitage, now a chapel with a resplendent series of frescoes completed under royal orders in 1798. The artist is actually buried here, in front of the altar. More from the great Spanish romantic painter can be seen in Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, a prestigious art school.

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia displays some of Europe’s finest 20th-century art, and is particularly noted as the home of Picasso’s sensory masterpiece Guernica. Works by Salvador Dali and Joan Miró also act as a magnet for art enthusiasts. An added bonus is that the museum’s glass lifts offer panoramic views of one of Europe’s finest cities.

Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza hangs the works of scores of leading European painters from the 14th century onwards, all nestled within a gorgeous salmon-pink interior colour scheme. Museo Cerralbo contains an astonishingly diverse collection of works and artifacts – paintings, porcelain, sculptures, tapestries, glassware and more – housed within a beautiful palace that offers a glimpse into the life of Spanish aristocracy more than a century ago.

The Essential Paseo del Arte app is designed to help you discover 24 great masterpieces in these museums in an easy and accessible way. It offers a complete tour of the History of Western Art in the heart of Madrid.

From palace to plaza

An elegant and visually uplifting city, Madrid showcases many centuries of architectural grandeur. The changing of the guard at Palacio Real on the first Wednesday of the month (except August and September) is an amazing spectacle and is performed with musical tunes like El Almirante, Doña Francisquita, and España Cañí bellowing out. To put it in historical context, this awe-inspiring spectacle, choreographed to perfection, remains exactly how it was performed in the times of King Alfonso XII and King Alfonso XIII. The uniforms are the same, and a total of 400 people and 100 horses stage this majestic display.

This stunning 18th-century baroque palace of more than 3,400 rooms was built by Felipe V with the intention of dwarfing those of his European counterparts. Great views of this sumptuous royal residence can be obtained through the trees of the northern end of Plaza de Oriente, as well as from the western side, via the ornamental gardens of Campo del Moro.

The district known as Old Madrid has a plethora of must-visit squares. Lined with cafes and traditional restaurants and with an equestrian statue of Felipe II at its centre, Plaza Mayor is steeped in history. Sit and soak up the intoxicating buzz, scale and detail of this majestic heartbeat of Madrid with its slate spires and deep-ochre façades offset by intricate frescoes and fantastic wrought-iron balconies. A vibrant locale to start a night out in Madrid, Plaza de Santa Ana is a centrally located pedestrianised square dotted with monuments and historical importance.

Tapas temperament

One of Europe’s culinary capitals, Madrid has no shortage of great places for foodies to indulge their cravings. Food from all regions of Spain can be sampled here, and eating is considered one of life’s great pleasures. The idea of going out to eat tapas – which can mean eating almost anything – is deeply ingrained in the culture. Madrid’s oldest and perhaps most beautiful market, Mercado de San Miguel, is the perfect place to sample all forms of tapas (from chocolate to caviar) at tables within its stunning 20th-century glass walls.

Local specialities include sopa de ajo (garlic soup) and the hearty stew of cocido madrileña, a kind of noodle broth combining carrots, chickpeas, chicken, blood sausage, beef, lard and perhaps other sausage meat. Roasted meat like cordero lechal asado – spring lamb cooked in a wood-fired oven – and, of course, the country’s famed jamón (cured ham), are also commonly served.

Madrid boasts one of the largest fish markets in the world. Boiled octopus, all manner of shellfish, anchovies, cod and more are favourites, perhaps consumed as a seafood-laden rice dish, something which has been turned into a local art form.

Taverna time

Visiting one of the 100 or so remaining traditional tabernas (taverns) is a must. Each is considered unique, though they share some common distinguishing features – a large clock standing guard over a carved wooden bar that often holds wine flasks cooled by running water, an interior lined with ceramic, and marble table tops. Restaurante Botín, founded in 1725, is thought to be the world’s oldest continuously functioning restaurant. Featuring in books by Hemingway, Forsythe and others, this taberna has excellent roasted meats to enjoy at tables in a vaulted cellar, conjuring up a wonderful ambience. A small, convivial bar of many decades standing, Casa Revuelta serves excellent boneless fried cod.

La Venecia is an old-style bar where Sherry is poured straight from the barrel. A great place to soak up the essence of Madrid, it is just a short walk from Plaza de Santa Ana and simply drips with Spanish history. Spanish-style hot chocolate – thick, dark and strong – has been served at Chocolateria San Ginés since 1894, along with churros (fried dough) for dunking.

Living culture

From a culinary night out to a cultural feast, Teatro Circo Price is the home of avant-garde theatrical performances, while Corral de la Moreria offers the chance to watch superb flamenco dancing and dine on innovative Spanish fare. Café Central draws admirers of jazz. La Noche Boca Arriba, a popular nightclub, proffers great food and great music.

For those who like to shop before sipping Sangria or a Sherry cocktail, designer boutiques can be found in the upmarket Salamanca district, an elegant location hailed as a fashionista’s dream come true.

On 12 October, Spanish National Day, the city will be abuzz with military parades, cultural performances, sporting events, street parties and communal meals. November heralds the Festival de Otoño, a joyous celebration of drama, ballet and opera; the 42nd Madrid Autumn Festival, presenting an outstanding international programme of arts; and the JazzMadrid24, featuring some of the great artists of the genre. Other festivals this autumn include Suma Flamenca, which showcases flamenco in all its enticingly splendid forms.