Madrid is not as large as it might seem, especially its central districts. The heart of the city is marked by the Puerta del Sol, a bustling intersection from which all distances are measured. The oldest area of Madrid, Los Austrias, is located south of Calle Mayor and includes historic landmarks such as the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and the well-trodden square Plaza Mayor.
To the east and south of Sol lies a vibrant triangular region, where Plaza de Cibeles, Atocha Station, and Sol converge. This neighbourhood is brimming with restaurants and bars and is home to the three renowned museums of Madrid, as well as the expansive Parque del Buen Retiro.
Lavapiés, just south of Sol, was previously a working-class district but has transformed into a melting pot of ethnic diversity, thanks to an influx of immigrants from Africa and Asia.
On the other side of the Puerta del Sol and the grand avenue of Gran Vía, one can find the Malasaña and Chueca neighbourhoods to the north. The former has undergone gentrification over the past two decades while retaining its reputation as one of the city's most laid-back bar districts. The latter, once a predominantly gay neighbourhood, has evolved into Madrid's trendiest quarter, a hub of nightlife, restaurants, and boutique stores catering to an open-minded clientele.
Explore the city like a local and discover the top things to do and see in Madrid, as well as the best restaurants, bars, nightclubs, cafés, and hotels Spain's capital city has to offer, with our comprehensive, up-to-date, and free Madrid travel guide.
