WHEN IN SPAIN . . .
If the Iberian peninsula is on your wishlist, here’s some insider knowledge about three of the biggest cities, writes Stephanie Holmes
MADRID
Do: The Palacio de Liria (Calle de la Princesa 20), home of the Duke of Alba, contains one of the best art collections in Spain and is open to the public. Wander the halls to admire the paintings of many great masters. Book online in advance as demand is high. palaciodeliria.com
Eat: Diego Guerrero, who has two Michelin stars at his DSTAgE restaurant in the fashionable Salesas area, has opened Dspeakeasy (Calle de Fernando VI
6;) around the corner — a more bistro-style place with a creative spin on traditional dishes, such as sole in a kombu sauce. dstageconcept.com/dspeakeasy Drink: According to Hemingway, nobody in Madrid “goes to bed until they have killed the night”, so prepare yourself for starting — and staying up — late. Head to Macera Tallerbar (Calle de San Mateo 21), for a range of house-infused craft drinks, and a cool, laidback atmosphere. maceradrinks.com Stay: Soak up Madrid’s history at the elegant new Pestana Plaza Mayor (Calle Imperial 8), as the building actually forms part of the city’s signature square, which dates back 400 years. . pestanacollection.com
BARCELONA
Do: Gaudi’s impact is felt all over this popular coastal city, from the Sagrada Familia to Park Guell and beyond. While the Sagrada (Carrer de Mallorca 401) is well worth a visit, make sure you book online ahead of your visit to avoid the queues. A guided tour of Casa Mila (Passeig de Gracia 92), popularly known as La Pedrera, is also a must-do. sagradafamilia.org; lapedrera.com Eat: With a name inspired by the mechanic’s shop that once stood here, Benzina’s (Passatge de Pere Calders 6) industrial-chic interior belies the soul-warming Italian food coming out of the kitchen. benzina.es
Drink: The Alchemix (Carrer de Valencia 212), described in its own words as a “gastro-cocktail bar”, is an elegant spot for an aperitif, with two chef-barmen bringing their experience working at famed Bangkok restaurant Gaggan to deliver some of the coolest cocktails in Barcelona. thealchemix.com
Stay: The beloved Omm hotel, Barcelona’s first design hotel, was much mourned when it closed last year, but the Sir Victor (Carrer del Rossello 265) has risen from the ashes with a stylish revamp and a particularly good steak restaurant, Mr Porter.
SEVILLE
Do: The capital of Andalucia, Seville is a mix of Moorish, Gothic and Renaissance architecture with orange tree-filled plazas around every corner. Check out the Seville Cathedral (Av. de la Constitucion), the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, where you can see Christopher Columbus’ tomb. For modern architecture, see the Metropol Parasol (Pl. de la Encarnacion), known locally as Las Setas (the mushrooms). It’s the world’s largest wooden structure, standing 28m tall.
Eat: Antigua Abaceria de San Lorenzo (Calle Teodosio 53) is a real local experience — the cosy family-run restaurant started life as a wine store and deli, but now serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and has become a popular hang out in the San Lorenzo neighbourhood. antiguaabaceriadesanlorenzo.com Drink: Craft beer bar Hops and Dreams (Jesus del Gran Poder 83) has eight regularly-rotating draft taps and more than 40 different bottles to try. Their free city maps have all the best craft beer bars marked out for you. facebook.com/hopsanddreamssevilla Stay: Alcoba del Rey pays homage to Seville’s Moorish heritage. White stucco arches and painted Moroccan furniture create an oasis in Macarena. Each room is named after a personality from the Moorish era, from princesses to poets. The rooftop terrace and bar is an intimate corner, with a hot tub for two amid olive trees, and pots of fragrant mint. alcobadelrey.com/en — Additional reporting, Telegraph Group Ltd