5. Veranos de la Villa

The Buzz -- Over 130 cultural events from 27 countries feature at formal theatres and outdoor spots all over the city. These include the children's puppet cycle in the Retiro park and al fresco theater productions by the Muralla Arabe (Arab Wall). Open-air cinema flickers in the Parque de la Bombilla on the Paseo de la Florida by the River Manzanares. And zarzuela – comic Spanish operettas – hold court in the Sabatini gardens by the Royal Palace. The big deal, however, is the music. Recent performers include Youssou N'Dour, Caetano Veloso, Cesaria Évora, Carlinhos Brown and a host of brilliant homegrown flamenco stars.