Founded in 1880 by a group of artists and intellectuals, the Circle of Fine Arts became Madrid’s first cultural center. It moved into this Art Deco building in 1926 and continues to be one of Madrid’s most innovative multidisciplinary spaces, with a couple of stylish cafés. A young Picasso took painting classes here. Today, the non-profit CBA hosts a broad range of art-house exhibitions, films, and workshops, and its rooftop café-restaurant has terrific views over the city. Buy a ticket at the ground-floor reception, take the elevator to the 7th floor, and stare meaningfully into the middle distance.