Where Picasso once bedded down due to the cheap rents and successive waves of immigrants have headed throughout history, Lavapiés is a district full of diversity and cool. The most Bohemian and hip part of Madrid even now, you’ll revel in the profusion of trendy bars, myriad cuisines in the varied restaurants and unique knickknacks in the shops. The whole neighbourhood is vibrant and full of old pastel-toned architecture and local Spanish character. When you're not exploring, you’ll find that your bolt hole away from all this activity is calm and quiet – modest touches of colour stand out against a tranquil and pale palette of soft whites and soothing greys. Our favourite spot is the bedroom, where the elevated position allows you can enjoy great street views while you sip your morning coffee. The modern kitchen is neatly tucked away but has everything you need for rustling up breakfast with ingredients sourced from the nearby 24-hour supermarket – or further afield on the metro, which is just three minutes away. Home truths: *The front door habitually slams shut, so don’t forget your key *Typical of old buildings like this one, there are thin walls and you'll need to climb several flights of stairs to reach the home – it's on the fourth floor *The mattress is on the soft side *Please note that garbage bags must be taken out of the apartment or a deduction will be made from your deposit