Essential: Castiglia e León — Segovia, Ávila e Salamanca

Madrid spreads across the high plateau of the Meseta, in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula, the capital of Spain and a vibrant metropolis where art, history and street life blend into an unmistakable energy. Its continental climate and broad urban vistas invite you to explore on foot, among elegant boulevards, monumental squares and neighbourhoods with strong identities. The old core is the Madrid de los Austrias, opening onto the majestic Plaza Mayor and reaching the Puerta del Sol, kilometre zero of Spain's roads. Nearby rise the Palacio Real, a sumptuous royal palace overlooking the gardens of the Campo del Moro, and the Catedral de la Almudena. Along the axis of the Paseo del Prado lies the famous golden triangle of art: the Museo del Prado with masterpieces by Velázquez and Goya, the Museo Reina Sofía, home to Picasso's Guernica, and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. The city's green lung is the Parque del Retiro, with its lake and the Palacio de Cristal. The Gran Vía pulses with theatres, cinemas and shops, while neighbourhoods such as Malasaña, Chueca and La Latina reveal the city's younger, more creative soul, among terraces, markets and tapas bars. Gastronomy is a daily ritual, from cocido madrileño to churros with chocolate, to be savoured in historic tabernas or at the Mercado de San Miguel. Nearby lie the easily reached monastery of El Escorial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and historic Toledo. Between sublime art, a convivial atmosphere and legendary nightlife, Madrid is a city to be lived unhurriedly, from dawn until late into the night. Segovia rises on a rocky spur in the heart of Castile and León, a historic city of extraordinary beauty whose centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its emblem is the majestic Roman Aqueduct, an imposing feat of engineering that crosses the city with its perfectly preserved stone arches. Among medieval lanes rises the Catedral, the last great masterpiece of Spanish Gothic, nicknamed "the lady of cathedrals". At the tip of the promontory stands the Alcázar, a fortress of slender towers said to have inspired fairy-tale castles. Local cuisine celebrates the renowned cochinillo asado, roast suckling pig. Close to Madrid and immersed in Castilian landscapes, Segovia reveals itself on a stroll through history, golden stone and timeless atmosphere.

Founded in Roman times and grown around one of Europe's oldest universities, Salamanca owes its nickname of the "golden city" to its sandstone that glows with warm light at sunset. Its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, revolves around the spectacular Baroque Plaza Mayor, considered one of the most beautiful in Spain. From here the lanes lead to the two adjoining cathedrals, the Romanesque Vieja and the late-Gothic Nueva, and to the famous Universidad de Salamanca, one of the oldest in Europe, on whose Plateresque façade visitors search for the carved good-luck frog. Among its monuments stand out the Casa de las Conchas and the Convento de San Esteban. A lively, learned university city, it comes alive with students from around the world. Between golden stone, ancient learning and youthful energy, Salamanca invites you to discover it step by step.

Mighty granite walls and ancient stone churches make Ávila, set at over 1,100 metres on the Castilian plateau, one of Spain's best-preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its image is dominated by the extraordinary city walls, a complete ring of granite stone punctuated by towers and gates, among the most intact in Europe. Within, a historic centre of churches, convents and palaces unfolds, with the fortified Catedral set into the walls themselves. The birthplace of Saint Teresa, Ávila preserves a deep bond with spirituality and mysticism. Renowned too for its cuisine, from the famous chuletón to the sweet yemas, it reveals itself on a walk along the wall ramparts, when the light sets the granite aglow. A destination that unites history, faith and highland landscapes.