Madrid

As the highest capital in Europe, Madrid is hot in summer and freezing in winter. Your best bet is to visit during the temperate springs and autumns, when the city is as it best. Especially in winter—when steamy café windows beckon you inside for a hot caldo (broth) and the blue skies are particularly bright—Madrid is the next best place to heaven. As with most Spaniards, residents of Madrid vacation in August, and the annual migration to the beaches causes traffic jams. The city is relaxed and somewhat empty in August; small shops and some restaurants shut down for the entire month, but museums remain open.

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• Strolling the Centro Histórico : The Plaza Mayor on any late night when it's almost empty is the place that best evokes the glory of Spain's golden age.

• Painting the Past : Find a pleasant mix of art and architecture in the Prado, the Reina Sofía, and the Thyssen, all of which display extensive and impressive collections.

• Relaxing on the Green : Visit the Retiro Gardens on a Sunday morning, when it's at its most boisterous, to unwind and take in the sun and merrymaking.

• Bar-hopping : Indulge in a madrileño way of socializing. Learn about the art of tapas and sample local wines while wandering among the bars of Cava Baja.

• Famous Nightlife : When other cities turn off their lights, madrileños swarm to the bars of the liveliest neighborhoods—Malasaña, Chueca, Lavapiés, and more—and stretch the party out until dawn.

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