ATOCHA. This wall dating to the 700's was built to guard the ancient city. One of the oldest regions in the city, this area features paths and streets dating back over 1,000 years. A good look at the mix of history and modernity of this fabulous European gem. METRO: Puerta de Toledo

CENTRO. A beautiful display of 19th century royal architecture. Considered haunted by locals. Restored in 1990. On-site library, exhibition rooms and auditorium. METRO: Banco de España

ATOCHA. This wall dating to the 700's was built to guard the ancient city. One of the oldest regions in the city, this area features paths and streets dating back over 1,000 years. A good look at the mix of history and modernity of this fabulous European gem. METRO: Puerta de Toledo

ATOCHA. This is the location where the famous Spanish playwright Félix Lope de Vega Carpio (1562-1635) spent the last 25 years of his life and created many of his greatest works, and has long been a stop for literati of the world. The house is decorated in traditional 17th-century style and the garden contains the same ancient fruit trees he described in his journals. METRO: Antón Martín

CENTRO. Historic royal palace that has passed through history from the Arabs to the Austrians and finally to the Spanish, although the current royal family are not in residence. Features excellent walking tours of sumptuously furnished bedrooms, sitting rooms and throne room. Some particularly striking rooms are the Throne Room, the kings dressing rooms decorated in mosaics and stucco by Mattia Gasparini and the State Dining Room, which is still used for official banquets. METRO: Ópera