Madrid/Sol-Letras-Lavapiés

The Puerta del Sol square is Madrid's centre of the centre and therefore the symbolic omphalos of the whole kingdom. Here is milestone zero of Spain's road network from which all distances are measured. At least once a year, the whole nation looks here, when national TV stations broadcast the New Year's celebrations on Puerta del Sol and Spaniards swallow their twelve grapes to the chimes of the post office's belfry. North of Puerta del Sol, around Calle de Preciados and Calle del Carmen, is the main shopping district of central Madrid.
The northern limit of this district, Gran Vía, is the Spanish capital's most splendid avenue. It is lined by tall, lavishly ornated banking, insurance and shopping palaces from the early 1900s.
The neighbourhood around the Spanish parliament (Cortes) and calle de las Huertas is commonly known as the barrio de las Letras, literally the "quarter of letters", given that the most important writers of classical Spanish literature—Miguel de Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Francisco de Quevedo, Luis de Góngora—lived here. Around the Plaza Santa Ana is one of Madrid's favourite areas for casual dining and drinking with friends at night.
Lavapiés is Madrid's most multicultural and multiethnic neighbourhood. About half of its population have their roots in Latin America, Africa or Asia. This is the place to go to encounter folk and dance music from around the world, unconventional cafés and individual shops.
The "museum strip" or Paseo del Arte, to the east of Letras and Lavapiés, including the world-famous Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Foundation, Caixaforum and the National Museum of Modern Art "Reina Sofía", is covered in a separate article.

Madrid's main station, , is near the southeastern corner of Lavapiés.
Suburban trains (Cercanías lines C3 and C4) stop at an underground station directly below Puerta del Sol.
Most metro lines pass through this district. Apart from the central , there are , , , , , along Gran Vía, near Letras, and in the eponymous neighbourhood.

Landmarks and architecture

• Puerta del SolThis plaza is the heart of Madrid and one of the busiest places in the city - a hub for the local transit system, a favorite meeting spot for locals, a visible area for festivals or political demonstrations, and an opportune location for tour guides, street performers, pickpockets and anyone else looking to take advantage of all the tourists on-hand. In the center of the plaza sits the Statue of King Charles III on horseback, facing the Royal Post Office (Real Casa de Correos), the red-and-white building adorned with a clock tower on the plaza's south side. The building served as Madrid's first post office, then the police headquarters under Franco before being transformed into its current use as the office of the President of Madrid, the head of the regional government. The clock tower is noteworthy for being the center focus of New Year's celebrations every year, which are broadcast across Spain and mark the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes (one for each ring of the bell) and the beginning of a new year. In front of the building is Kilometer Zero (Kilómetro Cero), a plaque showing the point where the measuring of national highway system begins. On the east side of the plaza is the famous Bear and the Madroño Tree Statue, a bear climbing a madroño tree, which is the symbol of Madrid, and on the west side of the plaza is the Mariblanca statue, a white marble goddess of at least the 17th century. Nearby the giant neon Tío Pepe sign sits above the plaza and is a famous fixture of this area.

• Gran VíaLiterally 'Great Way' (better translated as 'Broadway'), Gran Vía is one of the busiest avenues in Madrid. Running from Plaza de España to Plaza de Cibeles, it is the location of the cinema district and a number of shopping malls and is lined with large billboards and lights. There's a constant buzz of traffic and life – 03:00-04:00 early morning traffic jams are not unusual.

Museums

• Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando

  phone: +34 915 240 864
  address: C/ Alcalá, 13
  Highly impressive art collection with paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints. Several Goya masterpieces.

• La Tabacalera

  address: C/ Embajadores, 53
  An abandoned tobacco factory turned into a huge Berlin-like alternative art space driven by the diverse locals of Lavapies district. Also Tens of free workshops daily. Nice big cheap outdoors terrace.

• Auditorio 400

  phone: +34 917 741 000
  address: C/ Santa Isabel, 52
  The main venue for contemporary music, dance, and theatre performance.

• Círculo de Bellas Artes

  phone: +34 91 5225092
  address: C/ Marqués de Casa Riera, 2
  A non-profit cultural center located a short walk from Sol, the CBA offers up a wide variety of events and shows including film, music, art displays, dance, theater and more. See the website (in Spanish) for a list of activities. Great panoramic views of the city can be had from the Azotea, located at the top of the building.

• Cardamomo Tablao Flamenco

  phone: +34 918 051 038
  address: C/ Echegaray, 15
  Authentic Flamenco show in the center of Madrid, one of the greatest tablaos flamencos all over Spain, typical Spanish food during the performance.

• Teatro de la Zarzuela

  phone: +34 910 505 282 (box office)
  address: C/ Jovellanos, 4
  The Spanish version of the operetta (zarzuela) is performed here. This is also the main concert venue for the Community of Madrid Orchestra.

• Orquesta de la Comunidad de Madrid

  phone: +34 913 820 680
  address: C/ Mar Caspio, 4

Teatro Monumental

phone: +34 914 291 281 (box office)

address: C/ de Atoche, 65

• Orquesta Sinfónica de RTVE

  phone: +34 914 298 119
  Performs every Thu and Fri at the Teatro Monumental on Calle Atocha.

Yelmo Cineplex Ideal

phone: +34 913 692 518

address: C/ Doctor Cortezo, 6

Probably the best known V.O. (versión original, or original language) theater in Madrid, it offers the largest selection of movies and is only a short walk from Sol.

Cine Doré

phone: +34 913 691 125

address: C/ Santa Isabel, 3

This is a wonderful old Spanish theater dating from the 1920s. It has three screens and shows mainly art-house and critically acclaimed films in the original language. In the summertime, they screen movies on the roof.

• Academia Eureka

  phone: +34 915 488 640
  address: C/ del Arenal, 26 - 3º D
  Accredited by the Instituto Cervantes, the school has been offering Spanish classes since 1988. It also offers optional housing on-site or with a Spanish family, and provides after-school activities and excursions. Classes start on Monday and all 6 levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2) are offered. Class sizes are small with a maximum of 8 students per class.

• Inhispania

  phone: +34 915 212 231
  address: C/ Marqués de Valdeiglesias, 3
  Specializes in teaching Spanish language and culture. It is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes and offers intensive and regular programs, in smalls groups, for all levels and during the whole year. The school also organizes after-school actitivies and offers an optional accommodation service.

• Inhispania

  phone: +34 915 212 231
  address: C/ Marqués de Valdeiglesias, 3
  Specializes in teaching Spanish language and culture. It is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes and offers intensive and regular programs, in smalls groups, for all levels and during the whole year. The school also organizes after-school actitivies and offers an optional accommodation service.

• Spanish AbroadSpanish school.

• Cambio Idiomas

  phone: +34 915567804
  A language academy specializing in Spanish courses for expats and also offering courses in different languages, levels and with different objectives.

• Tandem Escuela Internacional Madrid

  phone: +34 915 322 715
  address: C/ Marques de Cubas, 8
  Located in a beautiful palace, the school offers Spanish courses for foreigners, and English or German courses for Spaniards. It uses a humanistic teaching approach, combining neuro-linguistic programming with other innovative techniques.

• El Corte Inglés Preciados

  phone: +34 913 798 000
  address: C/ Preciados 1-9
  Occupying the full first few blocks of the pedestrian boulevard Calle Preciados, El Corte Inglés serves as a gateway to the shopping paradise from Puerta de Sol.

• El Corte Inglés Plaza de Callao

  phone: +34 913 798 000
  address: Plaza de Callao, 2
  A much smaller store is to be found at the other end of Calle Preciados. Not quite a looker from the outside, it holds a top-floor restaurant with brilliant views over the Gran Vía.

• Loewe Gran Vía

Many of the restaurants and cervecerías in the Sol area have generic poster board advertisements on the sidewalks with pictures advertising various paella dishes. These paellas are usually of bad quality and should be avoided. If you are looking for good, authentic Spanish paella, it is usually best to find a more expensive, 'sit-down' type of restaurant that offers a variety of paella dishes. There are also a number of deli-like shops along Calle Arenal that offer food para llevar (for take away).

Budget

• Cervecería 100 Montaditos

  address: Calle del Príncipe, 18
  Branch of the popular nationwide chain that offers 100 different types of montaditos (small sandwiches). Great place to go for a cheap drink and bite to eat. Further branches are at Calle de la Montera, 34 (near metro Gran Vía) and Plaza de las Cortes, 3.

• Museo del Jamón

  address: Carrera de San Jerónimo, 6
  One of several branches of this chain. Offers deli takeout service as well as tapas and raciónes at reasonable prices. They offer €1 ham sandwiches and a 'picnic' lunch consisting of a said ham sandwich, fresh fruit and a drink for €2. Another branch is at Calle de Atocha, 54 (metro Antón Martín).

Mid-range

• Alhambra

  phone: +34 915 210 708
  address: C/ Victoria, 9
  This is a good place to drop by on a hot afternoon to enjoy a cold beer and some Andalusian tapas. Sample the sausages and cheeses.

• La Casa del Abuelo

  phone: +34 910 000 133
  address: C/ Victoria, 12
  A Madrid landmark in operation for over 100 years, this bar attracts a standing room only crowd on the weekends. They mainly serve shrimp-based tapas dishes so if you're not into shellfish it may be advisable to steer clear. Order a plate of their garlic shrimp and accompany with their house wine.

• La Casa del Abuelo 2

  phone: +34 910 000 133
  address: C/ Núñez de Arce, 5
  A second branch, just around the corner from the original.

El Inti de Oro

phone: +34 914 296 703

address: C/ Ventura de la Vega, 12

For something different, try this great Peruvian restaurant a short walk from Sol. Be sure to order some of their ceviche and try the Pisco Sour cocktail.

The Roof

phone: +34 917 016 000

address: Plaza de Santa Ana, 14

Located on the roof of the ME Madrid hotel, this terrace-style restaurant serves tapas and traditional cuisine. At night they serve great mojitos in a youthful, club-like atmosphere.

La Zapatería

phone: +34 911 395 118

address: C/ Victoria, 8

Great potato dishes that come mixed with chorizo or other ingredients. Also try the pincho moruno (pork skewers) or something else displayed on ice in the front window. The Ribeiro on tap (sparkling white wine from Galicia) is not to be missed.

Cafés

• Café Central

  phone: +34 913 694 143
  address: Plaza del Ángel 10
  Café by day, live jazz music at night.

• La Mallorquina

  address: Puerta del Sol 8, Mayor, 2
  Famous for its pastries. Peaceful upstairs room where you can linger undisturbed over your café con leche and napolitana de chocolate (chocolate croissant).

• Nuevo Café Barbieri

  phone: +34 915 273 658
  address: C/ Ave María, 45
  Slightly scruffy cafe draws an avante garde crowd at night.

• La Pecera del Círculo de Bellas Artes

  phone: +34 913 605 400
  address: C/ Alcalá, 42
  A soaring hall on the ground floor of Madrid's art center combines atmosphere, excellent food and good coffee at reasonable prices. A wonderful place for lunch not far from Madrid's shopping or museums.

Bars

• Museo Chicote

  phone: +34 915 326 737
  address: Gran Vía, 12
  Voted the Best European Bar 2004 by MTV-Campari. Extensive cocktail list. Claims to have served drinks to many famous celebrities, including, Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra, Lana Turner, Gary Cooper, Orson Wells, Yul Brynner and Ernest Hemingway, Catherine Zeta Jones, Hugh Grant and Tim Robbins. They only serve drinks.

• Dubliners

  phone: +34 915 227 509
  address: C/ Espoz y Mina, 7
  An Irish bar in the centre of Madrid near Puerta del Sol. The bar has televisions and is one of the places where sport can be seen.

• Xaloc Bar de Copas

  phone: +34602433967
  address: C/ Huertas, 41, Las Letras
  Discopub in the core of Barrio de las Letras. Great place with excellent prices but a good quality. The bar includes nice music, a DJ, and a moderately large dance floor.

Clubs

• El Sol

  address: Calle Jardines, 3
  Popular with the 20-30 age group. Plays a mix of 70s, funk, and bossanova sounds. No dress code, but people do tend to look cool.

• Ohm

  address: Plaza de Callao, 1 (in Gran Via street)
  Popular Commercial House club with a mixed young straight/gay crowd.

• Stardust

  address: C/ Isabel la Católica, 6
  Powerful Techno/House club popular within the younger crowd.

Budget

• Mad Hostel

  phone: +34 915 064 840
  address: C/ De la Cabeza, 24
  Nice, clean, quiet weekend hostel. 5 minutes from metro, tapas and services. 10-minute walk to Puerto del Sol, museums and Gran Via. Close to southern 'ethnic' areas = good food. Big common room with 4 computer stations, unreliable Wi-Fi and good free breakfast. Secure locker with every bed.

• Cat's Hostel

  phone: +34 91 3692807
  address: Calle Cañizares 6
  Located in a 17th-century palace, but has a modern interior and is clean and secure. Breakfast and internet is included in the price and there is also a bar. It attracts a young backpackers clientele, but the crowd here is such that you're more likely to find partiers than hitchhikers. Shared dormitories for 4 to 14 people.

• Way Hostel Residence

  phone: +34-914-200-583
  address: Calle Relatores 17
  Small hostel, nice ambiance and is catered to young traveleres. Nice kitchen, friendly staff, and free internet.

• Hostal San Martin

  phone: +34 915 319176
  address: Calle Concepción Arenal 4
  Small, clean guest-house on the 4th floor. Ideally located just meters from Gran Via, with great staff and free wi-fi. All rooms have sink & shower, but most share bathrooms.

• Hotel ibis Styles Madrid Prado

  address: Calle del Prado, 11
  The small and inconspicious ibis Styles gets great reviews thanks to a combination of nice rooms, good staff and ideal location, all that at a reasonable price including breakfast.

• Hostal Plaza d'Ort

  phone: +34 914 299 041
  address: Plaza del Ángel, 13
  Cheap hotel with a good location near Plaza de Santa Ana. All rooms feature bathrooms, TV and air conditioning.

Mid-range

• Artistic Bed & Breakfast

  phone: +34 654368611
  address: Calle Lope de Vega, 11
  Conveniently located in the center of Madrid, a quiet bed and breakfast with a unique style and decoration.

• Asturias

  phone: +34 914 296 676
  address: C/ Sevilla 2
  A 2 star hotel. The Asturias is only 200 meters from the central Puerta del Sol.

• Hotel Madrid Preciados

  phone: +34 91 454 44 01
  address: C/Preciados nº37
  4-star hotel in excellent location.

• Hotel Senator Gran Via Madrid

  phone: +34 902 052 394
  address: Gran Via 52
  4-star hotel. Restaurant, bar, and meeting space.

• ME Madrid Reina Victoria

  phone: +34 917 016 000
  address: Plaza de Santa Ana, 14
  Located in Plaza de Santa Ana.

Splurge

• Hotel De Las Letras

  phone: +34 917 610 906
  address: Gran Vía, 11
  Old building with tasteful modern interior. Well sound-proofed against the busy Gran Via outside. Very comfortable beds. Rooms with TV, hi-fi, mini bar, bath/shower. Optional breakfast buffet with wide choice of good quality food and drinks. Pleasant, comfortable bar.

• Maria Elena Palace

  phone: +34 913 604 930
  address: C/ Aduana 19
  The Hotel María Elena Palace is located just 200 metres away from the Puerta del Sol. Renowned for its magnificent glass dome in the lobby.

• Hotel Quatro Puerta del Sol

  phone: +34 915 329 049
  address: C/ Sevilla 4
  The turn-of-the-century grandeur with modern conveniences and amenities. Hotel Quo Puerta del Sol is housed in a emblematic building from the beginning of the 20th century with unique views of the city. It was totally restored in 2003.