Madrid neighborhoods
Six areas of central Madrid explained for visitors: what to see, where to eat, how to get around and tips from people who know the city.
Barrio de las Letras (Huertas)Literary quotes in the pavement, century-old taverns and the art museums two streets away.Metro: Antón Martín (line 1), Sevilla (line 2) or Sol (lines 1, 2, 3 and Cercanías trains)
Sol, Plaza Mayor and the Royal PalaceKilometre zero, Plaza Mayor and one of Europe’s largest royal palaces.Metro: Sol (lines 1, 2 and 3) and Cercanías Sol (C-3 and C-4), and Metro Ópera (lines 2, 5 and the Ópera–Príncipe Pí…
LavapiésCorrala tenements, alternative arts centres and food from half the world.Metro: Lavapiés (line 3) and Embajadores (line 3 and Cercanías)
Salamanca districtMadrid’s “golden mile”, quiet museums and one of the city’s best tortillas.Metro: Serrano and Velázquez (line 4), Goya (lines 2 and 4), Núñez de Balboa (lines 5 and 9) and Retiro (line 2)
Malasaña and ChuecaLa Movida, independent shops, cafés and Spain’s Pride capital.Metro: Tribunal (lines 1 and 10), Bilbao (lines 1 and 4), Noviciado (line 2), Chueca (line 5) and Gran Vía (lines 1 …
Atocha, Delicias and Madrid RíoContemporary art, historic trains and the riverside park along the Manzanares.Metro: Estación del Arte (line 1), next to the Reina Sofía; Atocha (line 1 and Cercanías, at the train station); Del…
Which neighborhood should you choose?
- First visit and short on time: Sol and the Royal Palace and the Literary Quarter, within walking distance of almost everything.
- Museums: the Literary Quarter and Atocha, next to the Art Walk.
- Nightlife and buzz: Malasaña and Chueca, or Lavapiés for something more alternative.
- Calm, shopping and the Retiro: Salamanca.