A grand café immortalised in film

Noteworthy for: The cafe appeared in Pedro Almodovar's 1993 film 'Kika' and you might find yourself sitting next to Spanish stars, Javier and Penelope.

Tipple of choice: Café Circulo serves some of the best chocolate drinks in the city. But with 38 to choose from, it'll be a tough decision.

This elegant cafe is the quintessential entry into the city's café society. In a wonderful Belle Époque space, Café Circulo boasts 1920s-style chandeliers, high ceilings, statues and towering pillars. And its enormous windows mean that people-watching on Alcalá Street is endlessly entertaining.

The Parliament and Banco de España are nearby, so expect politicians and bankers to mingle with more arty types, who naturally arrive later in the day. The Castilian dishes - the daily-changing lunch menu and the evening tapas - are delicious, as are the wines.