Spot a Mercado de San Miguel stall

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 paella pan

Find a paella pan at a Barcelona restaurant or in a shop window. (Paella is technically Valencian but Barcelona menus love it.) Photograph the pan.

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.

Spot the Cibeles Fountain

Find the Cibeles Fountain at Plaza de Cibeles, the goddess in her lion-drawn chariot. Madrid fans climb it for trophy celebrations. Photograph the goddess.

Spot the Metropolis dome

Find the Edificio Metrópolis at the corner of Gran Vía and Calle de Alcalá, with the winged Victory statue on top of its dome. Photograph the dome.

Spot the Prado Museum facade

Walk down Paseo del Prado and find the long neoclassical facade of the Museo del Prado. Photograph the columns or the Velázquez statue at the front entrance.

Spot the Royal Palace

Walk to the Palacio Real at the western end of Calle Mayor. Photograph the long limestone facade with the team or the Plaza de Oriente in front.

Spot the Spanish flag

Find a Spanish flag (horizontal red-yellow-red with the coat of arms) flying on a government building, balcony or balcony hanging. Photograph the colours.