Reading & Literature

If you're looking for books in English, you can't do worse than Desperate Literature.

Here's another cool list from Culture Trip to keep you going - loads more browse magnets there.

Poetry you're after? Check this out.

What about a look around Lope de Vega's house? Well worth the entrance price - and have a wander about the local area known as the Barrio de las Letras. Miguel de Cervantes lived nearby. Don Q's dad.

What about having a coffee, a beer and a stare at the poseurs in the café at this joint?

Cinema

You need to go to the Cine Doré. Go to Antón Martín on the Metro after checking out what's on here (although at three euros a ticket for classic after classic, just GO!)

If you're wanting to see films in English (or their original language) look out for V.O. on the cinema boards and announcements. Here's a great blog post about the best VO cinemas in the centre.

Eating & Drinking

With Madrid just remember to eat lunch between 2.30 and 4.30 and dinner from about 8.30pm and you'll be fine. Look out for the Menu del Dia boards - two or three courses, wine or beer and dessert and coffee.

Tapas is not always free but you can order it - a small portion of whatever they have - and a ración is a big plate of the same. Most Madrileños will not stay in one bar for long, a drink or two at most, and this is worth copying, especially in the centre. There are a million blogs - but here's one for cheaper options.

Irish pubs show all the sport you could ever want and will feed and water you. Here's a brutal, ranked list.

Live Music Bars? Right here.

Best clubs 2024 right here, right now.