You can embrace Madrid’s terraza culture almost any month of the year and La Plaza de Olavide is the perfect spot to start. Spain delivers when it comes to a good climate; sitting outside and enjoying it is one of the many things I love about living here.

Olavide is a round square that features lovely planting, plenty of benches, a cooling fountain and several playgrounds for children, with all the usual slides, swings and climbing frames. It is leafy, pedestrianised and completely circled by bars and restaurants with large popular terrazas.

It can be easy to spend a lot of money when you are on holiday, so I think cheap and cheerful places where you can spend a few hours without spending a fortune are always welcome. Classic sharing menus, such as a large mixed salad and a whole potato omelette, are a good deal. Add some “tinto con casera” (red wine and white lemonade) to the mix, and you’ll be all set for lunchtime like a local in Spain’s capital!

Recently the streets radiating off it have been partly pedestrianized, and it’s looking very smart. I took the accompanying photo in January and as you can see, the weather is beautiful and the outdoor cafe is full of locals soaking up the sun!