Madrid has several centres, and Nuevos Ministerios is one. It’s home to the largest and fanciest Corte Ingles, Spain’s most beloved department store, resplendent after its recent remodelling. This shop has almost everything; I found a puppy department once, while looking for an ironing board! The puppies have gone, but you can spend hours lost in here, looking at stuff!

Also in the neighbourhood, and just a 10 minute walk away, is the National Science Museum, always a hit with kids and well worth checking out.

Most recently opened in December 2023,  is la Casa de la Arquitectura, which makes a great addition to Madrid’s rich cultural offering.

Housed in the Nuevos Ministerios building in a long diaphanous space, this new museum has an ambitious aim – to raise awareness of how architecture impacts the quality of our lives.

Catch the last few days of the current expo if you are in Madrid over Easter (ends March 31) and visit the fascinating website to see what’s coming next.