You have found your way to the popular Cava Baja and had your mind blown by all its wonderfully traditional taverns. Maybe you’ve had a bite at Taberna Huevos de Lucio – now wander over to Plaza de los Carros and observe the local fauna, then head round the corner into the spectacular Plaza de la Paja and sit out on one of the busy terrazas and have a coffee. You may spy an old brick wall at the bottom of the sloping square; the door leads into a secret garden – these are Los Jardines del Palacio del Príncipe de Anglona, commissioned by the Marquises of La Romana to Javier de Winthuysen, an 18th century painter and garden designer.

It’s a simple little garden with brick paths and low boxwood hedges, some trees, rose bushes and benches to sit on. It’s not the most gorgeous garden ever, but it has history and a ton of charm. Peek over the back wall onto Calle Segovia and you’ll realize you are high up above it; the designer cleverly elevated and flattened out a steep slope to make this tiny jewel. 

I love it here – it’s really peaceful and a great place to read a book, or, if you are travelling, you can study your maps, edit your Instagrams or decide on the next great spot to check out!