Madrid

This Month in Madrid (March):

Shopping: Boys of all ages - particularly those who are old enough to know better - will find plenty to marvel at in Macchinine, a shop that is packed full of all kinds of toy cars, models and modelling magazines. In other words, a collector's heaven. Whether you're on the hunt for a scaled-down version of a Mercedes S-Class, a Matchbox MG or even a Don Quixote action figure, you'll find it here (7 Barquillo, tel: 91 701 0518).

Sightseeing: The Prado museum in Madrid is the jewel in the city's artistic crown, so a visit is a must to get an eyeful of the work of the Spanish masters. Thanks to the current temporary exhibition, however, you can enjoy some Dutch painters, too, with a collection on display of some almost-never-before-seen masterpieces (Paseo de Prado, museodelprado.es).

Key areas: If you are in Madrid at the weekend, then a visit to the Rastro flea market on Sunday is a must. The market itself stretches all the way down Ribera de Curtidores Street (Metro La Latina), as well as the adjoining thoroughfares. The goods on offer vary in quality, but for people-watching and bar-hopping, nowhere else comes close.

Day trips: Located just 50km from the city centre, Chinchón is a charming town, featuring architecture from the 15th to the 17th centuries. The plaza is the main attraction for visitors, its square doubling as a bullring and a market. Grab a coffee, lunch or beer on one of the many terraces.

Madrid News & Gossip

Shopping in Madrid

1 Pacha Anthems
€23

From Balearic beats to Latin lounge, Spanish superclub Pacha has provided the soundtrack to nights out in Madrid for years. The latest compilation, Pacha Anthems, features some of the most seminal dance tracks and enduring classics played in the club over the past two decades. Buy the album at department store El Corté Ingles, 47 Calle de Serrano, www.elcorteingles.es

2 Baby Grow
€22

Quirky design store Isolée's innovative and irresistible range appeals to everybody. Take this cute baby grow by Papalote for example: although babies may be indifferent to their parents' sartorial choices, animal fans will love the cartoon bull emblazoned on the front. 55 Calle Claudio Coello, www.isolee.com

3 Bacchus Mask
€4

If you're to stand out amid Madrid's style-conscious partygoers you'll need to look as pretty as a picture. This Bacchus mask fulfils your costume needs quite literally - it's copied directly from a Velázquez painting showing the eponymous figure surrounded by an inebriated crew of revellers. Museo del Prado giftshop, 23 Calle Ruiz de Alarcón, www.museodelprado.es

4 Battery Recycling Tin
€7.55

Contemporary design store Vinçon specialises in items you'll find hard to resist. This battery recycling tin is a case in point: arguably the greener option is to simply buy rechargeable batteries, but this product's retro-cool factor is enough to justify its purchase. 18 Castelló, www.vincon.com

5 Oriol Balaguer Chocolates
€8

The alluring presentation of confectioner Oriol Balaguer's "The Best 6" assortment may tempt the masses, but be warned, this intriguing collection is strictly for connoisseurs. Luscious and creamy they may be, but the chocolates' experimental range of flavours include saffron and toasted corn. 44 José Ortega y Gasset, www.oriolbalaguer.com

Madrid Trivia

• March: Sunny Madrid was used to recreate revolutionary Moscow for the shooting of David Lean's classic Doctor Zhivago. Stars such as Omar Sharif had to act cold, despite the high temperatures on set.

• February: One of the early forms of table football was invented in Madrid in 1936. Its inventor, Alejandro Finisterre, was unable to play actual football after being injured in the country's Civil War.

• January: Madrid wasn't the capital city of Spain until the 16th century, when King Philip II randomly chose it as the location for his court.

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