Spot a bocadillo de calamares
Find the Madrid classic bocadillo de calamares (fried-squid sandwich) at a bar around Plaza Mayor (La Campana, Bar Postas). Photograph the sandwich.
Spot a churrería sign
Find a storefront with "Churrería" lettered above the door, or the Chocolatería San Ginés sign on its little alley. Photograph the storefront.
Spot a flamenco poster
Find a flamenco show poster (Corral de la Morería, Casa Patas, any tablao). The dancer in the red dress is iconic. Photograph the poster.
Spot a Gran Vía neon
Find a vintage neon cinema or theatre sign on Gran Vía (the Schweppes sign, a musical marquee). Photograph it lit up after dusk for bonus points.
Spot a jamón leg
Find a whole jamón ibérico or serrano leg hanging in a bar, deli or tapas joint window, hoof and all. Photograph the leg with the carving stand below.
Spot a Madrid balcony with flowers
Find a Madrid balcony with geraniums, climbing plants or laundry hanging out (most common in La Latina and Lavapiés). Photograph the cascade.
Spot a Madrid donkey on a sign
The Spanish donkey shows up on EI Toro emblem, ManoLo signs, leather shops. Find a donkey or bull silhouette on any sign or souvenir. Photograph it.
Spot a Madrid Metro M
Find a red-rimmed M on a blue background at any Madrid Metro entrance. Photograph the sign.
Spot a Madrid street tile (azulejo)
Find a hand-painted ceramic street-name tile on a corner building (most common in the old centre). Photograph the painted name.
Spot a Mercado de San Miguel stall
Walk into Mercado de San Miguel just west of Plaza Mayor. Find a stall with tapas, pinchos or vermouth on tap. Photograph the iron-and-glass interior.
Spot a Plaza Mayor archway
Walk into Plaza Mayor through one of its nine archways (Arco de Cuchilleros is the most famous). Photograph the archway with the plaza visible beyond.
Spot a Plaza Mayor fresco
Stand in Plaza Mayor and find the painted frescoes on the Casa de la Panadería (the brightly painted facade at the north end). Photograph the facade close-up.
Spot a Real Madrid jersey
Find someone wearing or a shop window selling a white Real Madrid kit (or, brave choice, the red-and-blue of Atlético). Photograph the jersey.
Spot a Retiro rowboat
Walk into Parque del Retiro and find the estanque (lake) with its rowboats. Photograph the boats with the Alfonso XII monument behind.
Spot a sangria pitcher
Find a glass pitcher of sangria on a café table, the red wine with fruit floating on top. Photograph the pitcher.
Spot a Spanish fan (abanico)
Find a paper or wooden fan (abanico) in a souvenir shop window or in someone's hand on a hot day. Photograph the painted design.
Spot a tapas plate
Find a small tapas plate served with a drink at the bar (patatas bravas, croquetas, boquerones). Photograph the bite-sized portion.
Spot a tortilla española
Find a wedge of tortilla española (potato omelette) on a tapas counter or in a bakery window. Photograph the layered cross-section.
Spot a vermouth on tap
Find vermut de grifo (vermouth on tap) at a tapas bar in La Latina or Malasaña. Photograph the glass with the orange peel and olive.
Spot churros con chocolate
Find a plate of churros next to a thick cup of hot chocolate (San Ginés is the classic; any churrería will do). Photograph the dunk.
Spot Don Quixote and Sancho Panza
Walk to Plaza de España and find the bronze of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza on horse and donkey at the base of the Cervantes monument. Photograph the duo.
Spot Kilometre Zero
On Puerta del Sol find the Kilometre Zero plaque set into the pavement (the point from which all Spanish road distances are measured). Photograph the brass plaque.
Spot the Atlético Madrid red and white
Find the Atlético Madrid colours (red and white vertical stripes) on a flag, kit or graffiti, especially around the Wanda Metropolitano or the southern barrios. Photograph the stripes.
Spot the bear and strawberry tree
Walk to Puerta del Sol and find El Oso y el Madroño, the bronze of a bear reaching up into a strawberry tree, Madrid's symbol. Photograph the bear.