If - when walking around Royal Madrid - you feel in the mood for a wander around a garden, give the insipid Jardines Sabatini (next to the Palace) a miss, and instead head round the corner to El Campo del Moro (The Moor's Field). Far more beautiful, with peacocks and a fine view of the rear of the palace.

Entrance on Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto

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A museum with fascinating artefacts from every era of Spain's history - starting with prehistory.

Amazing Moorish and Visigoth exhibits. There are reproductions of the famous Altamira cave paintings in a specially constructed grotto outside.

The museum is also right by the Jardines de Descubrimiento with impressive modern fountains and sculptures celebrating Colombus' discovery of the new world. More famously this is where the Giant Flag flies - a Spanish national flag the size of a tennis court.

Just behind Jardines de Descubramiento, to the right.
M. Colon.

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If you're ever fortunate enough to visit the exciting city of Madrid during the hot summer months, you might welcome a bit of respite from museums, galleries and shopping. A great way to sample a slice of local life and cool off is to visit the Instalación Deportiva Municipal swimming complex in the endless Casa de Campo. For 3.8 euros or 2.15 euros for under 16s, you'll have the use of an Olympic sized pool, a smaller pool and a childs pool. There are plenty of shady areas for relaxing and a cafeteria on site and you won't hear an English word spoken! The El Lago Metro station stops right outside the entrance. Having worked up an appetite, you will find a great choice of restaurants just outside the complex under shady trees overlooking Lago lake.

Numancia, 128039Tel: 34 91 459 9871

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An absolutely wonderful natural park just outside Madrid, it is a mountain river which falls in gentle cascades to form pools, some deep enough to swim in. In the summer it is a marvellous place to escape the heat of the city, but go early, it fills up fast.

From Madrid take the M607 to Manzanares el Real (about half an hour) and La Pedriza is just past the village.

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Great views over the city and remarkably quiet. Better than El Retiro, we think, especially during the eclipse.

Near the Palacio Real

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In the heart of Madrid you'll find this beautiful park that's a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Amble around the wide winding lanes through fabulous park land and greenery and make sure you visit on Sunday as the place comes alive with musicians and street entertainers alike.

Metro: Retiro

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Beautifully kept and little known ornamental gardens behind the Royal Palace. A total respite from the hustle and bustle outside. Frequented at weekends by swarms of meringue clad brides and their grooms posing for the album in the lush elegant surroundings. When tired of the peace and solitude it is just a stone's throw from the large converted Estación del Norte shopping centre, and when you are sick of that pop straight down to the Goya frescos nearby, right next door to Casa Mingo where you can eat there yummy chicken for lunch washed down with real Asturian cider.

Take the C circular bus or go to Principe Pio metro station. For the frescoes in the chapel where Goya is buried and which he painted himself walk straight down the Paseo de San Antonio de la Florida to the twin chapels of San Antonio - only one has the breathtaking frescoes, recently restored.

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On Sunday afternoons, after a long lunch, this is the best park to laze around in. Surrounded by natural beauty, with the sun sparkling upon the waters of the boating lake, you can enjoy the spontaneous gathering of people as they dance amongst the statues to the beat of crazy tribal drums. Not to be missed if ever you are in Madrid.

Nearest Metro Stations: Retiro and Ibiza.

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Don't look at the greenery (there's not much of it in this parched city, except in the spring). Look at the people instead.

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El Retiro is the nicest park in Madrid. It's pretty big and has loads of interesting features: the lake, where you can hire little rowing boats; Casa de Vacas where you can see art exhibitions; and the Palacio de Cristal where art exhibitions are shown. El Retiro is great all year round for walking, running, cycling, having a drink or simply lying on the grass.

Metro Retiro

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Two huge pools and a kids' pool, in a fantastic location. Get there when it opens - 11am. Leave before the gangs of dive-bombing boys turn up - 1pm. Closed after the first weekend of September.

Next to Lago metro station

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On the edge of the Austrias district, the café tables here look out over the Casa de Campo park into the far distance. Order a whole tortilla de patatas for two or more of you.

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