This fine arts academy, exhibition space and cafe is a Madrid institution

Noteworthy for: A historic private club that should be explored from the iconic café to the rooftop terraza, which has some of the best views of the city.

Word to the wise: Pay EUR 1 to gain access to the building and its cultural events such as art shows, films, theater, dance and musical concerts.

In 1744, King Charles III purchased a former Baroque palace and commissioned architect Diego de Villanueva to convert it into a home for the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando. Once helmed by Francisco Goya, the prestigious school of fine arts graduated the likes of Pablo Picasso, Antonio Lopez Garcia, Juan Luna, Botero and Salvador Dalí, who was eventually expelled.

Still headquarters for the Madrid Academy of Art, 'Circulo de Bellas Artes', as it's known, doubles as a gallery showing works from the 15th to the 20th century by Giovanni Bellini, Correggio, Rubens, Zurbarán, Murillo, Goya, Juan Gris and Pablo Serrano.