Start at the Banco de España Metro station and walk west.

The Calle de Alcalá runs east to the university town of Alcalá de Henares. On the north side, where it converges with the Gran Vía, is the 19th-century Iglesia de San José, popular with South Americans who want to see where early 19th-century revolutionary hero, Simón Bolívar, was married. Opposite is the elaborate 1926 Círculo de Bellas Artes (No 42), an arts club with a café and outdoor terrace. Anyone can pay a small fee for day membership, then relax over coffee or a drink.

Cross over and continue on the north side of the Calle de Alcalá.

At No 25 is the Iglesia de las Calatravas, a church with an ornate façade. A few doors down is the Casino de Madrid (No 15), a private gentleman's club, not a gambling casino. No 13 is the Museo de la Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando and No 3 is the massive Ministry of Finance, which was built as the Customs House in the 18th century. The next square is the busy Puerta del Sol.

Carry on across the square to the Calle del Arenal with its busy shops and restaurants.

The first church on the left is San Ginés, with a painting by Goya (open only for services). The walk ends at the Plaza Isabel II, which is dominated by the Teatro Real.