As the capital of Spain, the multicultural metropolis of Madrid is renowned for once being the centre of the Spanish empire. A stroke of good fortune from the weather gods perhaps, Madrid is blessed with a continental climate that welcomes visitors year-round to drink, eat, and dance under perpetual sunshine.

In this city lined with grand boulevards you may still find Madrilenos observing siesta to escape the midday summer heat. Tourists are invited to visit cathedrals, manicured lawns and the great repositories of European art, or stroll along the Plaza Mayor – once influenced by the Hapsburg Empire – to visit the Royal Palace in all its baroque splendour. The Masters – Rubens, Caravaggio, El Greco, Goya and Velazquez – were at home here, and their works are displayed in the Prado Museum.

And, as if all of that isn’t enough, Madrid has the largest number of bars per capita so you can people-watch over local wines while discussing Spanish conquistadors and the Hapsburg influence.

Here’s what you can do to immerse yourself in Madrid’s vibrant character.

Drink Spanish Hot Chocolate

Be warned – hot chocolate in Madrid is an art, so you’ll find many small cafes offering cups of the sweet nectar for you to savour. One of the best known is Chocolateria San Gines, a Tuscan-yellow coloured café that dates to 1894, located in a side street just off Plaza Mayor.

The chocolate here does not play: it’s rich and thick, and is often lapped up with a spoon. You’ll be happy to know the café is open 24 hours a day so you can get your chocolate fix even in the wee hours. Oh and did I mention they sell fresh, crispy churros, too?

Visit the El Rastro Flea Market

If there’s one way to live out a treasure hunting fantasy, it’s here at El Rastro Flea Market. If you don’t find your treasure at this 500-year old market, chances are you may never find it. El Rastro is the largest open-air market in all of Europe, influenced by gypsies from Southern Spain selling antique wares to local dealers, and the carcases of animals dragged to the tanneries once located here.

Madrilenos and tourists alike visit the market every Sunday, meandering through the stalls extending from the centre – Calle Ribera de Curtidores – across several streets. Look out for furniture, clothing and souvenirs (but also look out for your belongings) while you search for that treasure you’ve been dreaming about.

Book a local cooking class

Jugs of sangria, bowls of chopped tomatoes, and tourists cooking and rolling their heads back in laughter? You may think you’re in foodie heaven. And you would be right – a paella and sangria workshop in the heart of Madrid is the perfect way for travellers to discover the secrets of traditional Spanish cuisine. Roll up your sleeves and get down to learning the art of one of Spain’s staple dishes. Then, sit down at the end of the workshop to eat paella, talk about food and drink sangria. Yes, you are in foodie heaven.

If you’re not able to visit Madrid any time soon, try this Paella recipe.

Visit the San Miguel Mercado

This market, fashioned with wrought iron and glass, is a stunning example of architecture in the times of the Industrial Revolution, when iron and glass were the main materials used in construction. But what draws foodies to this Mercado is what’s inside.

Garlic prawns, olives, cucumbers, pickled onions, freshly prepared tapas, hams, beer, wine, and baked goods are all on offer from over 30 different food vendors. This temple of gastronomy was declared a Property of Cultural Interest in 2000 and, after a major restoration, has become one of the most bustling places in the city.