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Madrid, the capital of Spain (and my home for the past several years), is one of those great European cities that you simply have to experience, especially if you want to begin to really understand Spain. It’s a mix of old-world charm and modern energy, shaped by centuries of history and smart modern planning.

This is such an amazing city that it genuinely lives up to the famous saying, “De Madrid al cielo” — meaning "From Madrid to heaven”. AKA, there’s nowhere better to be. As an adopted Madrileña, I can honestly say that’s true!

And while this is a legitimate metropolis - more than 3 million people call the city home - , Madrid is super walkable and well-connected by public transportation (metro and buses), and its neighborhoods feel surprisingly close knit and familiar, all built on a human scale.

So, as you begin to work out where you want to stay in the city, I’d suggest thinking first about the kind of vibe you're after: do you want a quieter spot to relax in after a day of exploring? Or are you looking to be right in the middle of the action? Do you want to be near museums and cultural centers, or do you prioritize somewhere with lots of green spaces? Do you want a residential, family atmosphere, or something more upscale and elegant?

Of course, as a local, I have my favorite neighborhoods as well as strong opinions on which areas I think make the best bases for visitors. And after having helped lots of visiting friends, family members, and colleagues decide where to stay over the years, I’ve honed my recommendations on their (mostly happy!) feedback, and think I have a pretty spot-on feel for where most people will enjoy staying.

So, below, are detailed descriptions of the 4 neighborhoods that I think are ideal for most visitors, especially anyone visiting for the first time or on a short trip. Let’s take a look!

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Table of Contents

Overview of Madrid’s layout

A map of Madrid with the historic central neighborhoods outlined in light grey. — *Madrid's historic center outlined in grey*

Before we get into the neighborhoods, I think it’s important to quickly explain how the city is laid out and what its transportation system looks like, because those are pretty crucial factors when choosing your base.

The first thing to know is that Madrid doesn't follow a strict grid system like many more modern metropolises do. Instead, it grew out from its medieval core - centered around Puerta del Sol - where narrow, winding streets shoot outward in an almost radial pattern.

As the absolute heart of the city, Puerta de Sol is a bustling public square that is both the literal and symbolic center of Madrid. Its most important landmark, Kilometer 0, serves as the official starting point for all roads in Spain.

Incredibly well-served by public transportation, and quite close to many of the city’s main sights, you can quickly walk or take the metro to just about any neighborhood in the city from here. The square is also just one stop away from Madrid’s Atocha train station, which connects you to the rest of Spain.

If you want a reference point for what I think constitutes the larger center of Madrid (within or around which I recommend staying), at least from a touristic perspective you can create a sort of ring road by looking at a few major avenues that surround the center:

To the west, the boundary is more or less Calle de Bailén (stretching out to include the Palacio Real).
To the north, it’s Calle de Alberto Aguilera (which changes names a few times as it moves east).
To the east, it’s the Paseo del Prado (bordered by the magnificent Parque de el Retiro).
And finally, to the south, you have Ronda de Atocha/Ronda de Toledo (it’s the same road, but changes names).

I’ve outlined these boundaries in the map above so that you can see what it looks like. Anywhere within or just around that circle counts as the very center of Madrid, and if you stay there you’ll almost always be less than a 20-minute walk from about any place you want to go.

This area is also extremely well-connected by Madrid’s metro system, and you’ll usually find a stop every couple of blocks. Buses also pass all through here, giving you lots of additional transit options.

Quick summary of my 4 recommended neighborhoods

Madrid’s public transport system is so efficient and comprehensive that as long as you’re near a metro or bus stop, you can move just about anywhere in the city within 20 or 30 minutes. Staying in one neighborhood does not in any way make it inconvenient to visit the others, so as long as you stay relatively central, you can focus more on the atmosphere you’re looking for than the neighborhood’s location.

Even so, if this is your first visit or you’re just here on a short trip, I would still prioritize staying quite central, as Madrid has a lot of marquee sights in the city center and you’ll probably spend the majority of your time visiting them.

You could easily take the metro back and forth each day, but I think it’s a lot more pleasant to be able to walk wherever you’re going straight from your hotel (and walk back to it whenever you want a break from exploring), so the neighborhoods I’ve recommended are all within about a 20-minute walk of Puerto del Sol (some are a fair deal closer).

The four areas below offer what I think is a perfect mix of elegance, local charm, traditional Spanish flavor, and easy access to Madrid’s top sights, making each of them a potentially great choice.

Here’s a quick overview of them:

La Latina (black on the map above) - For the ultimate “castizo” (traditional) feel of Madrid, this is always my recommendation. It’s a central area with tons of historic charm, neoclassical and gothic streets, a vibrant tapas culture, and a lively yet comfortable and mostly local atmosphere. And it has an unbeatable location - just a 15-minute walk to the Puerta del Sol.
Sol (red above) - If your priority is easy access to Madrid’s most famous sights and landmarks, staying in Sol is the obvious choice. It’s the literal heart of the city and a historic gem filled with sights, monuments, and landmarks. Just be aware that it’s extremely touristy, so it won’t give you a feel for local life.
Barrio de las Letras (blue above) - Known as the literary quarter of Madrid (hence the name), this historic neighborhood has a great cultural scene, tons of pretty squares filled with excellent restaurants (many which Ernest Hemingway frequented), and close proximity to some of the city’s top museums and city center sights.
Salamanca (purple above) - The most elegant neighborhood in the city, this is where Madrid’s upper classes live and it’s the ideal place to enjoy a bit of luxury. Leafy and refined, you'‘ll fined an abundance of upscale restaurants, high-end boutiques, and luxury hotels. It’s about a 20-minute metro ride from Puerta del Sol.

Continue reading below for a more complete description of each neighborhood.

1. La Latina

Pros: Historic and charming, some of Madrid’s best bars and restaurants, walking distance to the main sights but far enough away to feel local

Cons: You won’t be getting a quiet night - people are out in the terrazas until quite late, no matter what day of the week it is!

*Calle de la Cava Baja. Photo:* *ajay_suresh*, *CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

*Plaza de la Paja. Photo:* *Jorgecft*, *CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped*

If you want an authentic feel for old Madrid, you’ve got to have a caña and a pincho de tortilla in La Latina. The oldest neighborhood in the city, staying here will make you feel like you’re visiting Madrid in the 1500’s. Its origins date back even earlier though, as this is where the medieval Islamic citadel and ancient city walls stood during the time of the Moors.

While not many of the ancient buildings remain, the layout of the neighborhood still feels very medieval, with narrow streets leading out to lovely little squares. Plaza de Puerta de Moros (the Square of the Moorish Gate), the neighborhood’s central plaza and a former gateway to the city, is a testament to this, surrounded by other historic squares and noteworthy streets that branch off from it.

When Spain’s capital was moved to Madrid in the 16th century, La Latina became the epicenter of social life, and it still feels that way today. During the day, you’ll find that it’s a more quiet, residential area very pleasant to stroll around, while at night or on the weekends, people (locals for the most part) fill the plazas and tiny little streets to enjoy tapas at the almost absurd number of fantastic bars and terrazas that are set out year-round.

And somehow, despite its beautiful architecture and proximity to Madrid’s big sights, the neighborhood is surprisingly local. You’ll find other tourists of course, but it definitely feels authentically Madrid, and there isn’t much of a focus on visitors and there are very few tourist traps.

That’s part of why I rate this neighborhood so highly. It’s super close to all the main sights but never feels very touristy, it has loads of gorgeous architecture and a charming Renaissance-era atmosphere, and the food scene is absolutely the best in the city - tapas, tapas, tapas! Staying here lets you experience the best of local life while still having Madrid’s most renowned attractions right at your fingertips. It’s pretty unbeatable.

La Latina also has quite a lot to see and do right within the neighborhood, like a few lovely churches - Basílica de San Francisco el Grande, Iglesia de San Andrés, and Iglesia de San Pedro chief among them-, luscious gardens, the famous open-air El Rastro flea market and Mercado de la Cebada (food market), monumental Puerta del Toledo - the last of the city gates built in the 19th century -, and Calle de la Cava Baja, a street that used to be a resting place for visiting merchants and that today has more than fifty bars and restaurants along it (many of them serving up great food).

A traditional hub of commerce, that history is preserved in the names of various of the area’s most pleasant squares, such as Plaza de la Cebada and Plaza de la Paja, which are named after the barley (cebada) and hay (paja) that merchants came here to sell centuries ago. And while the atmosphere is predominantly gothic and neoclassical, there are some bohemian touches, evident in the hipster cafés, vintage shops, and quirky murals on many of the buildings.

As for getting around the city, there are 3 nearby metro stops - La Latina, Tirso de Molina, and Embajadores, which make getting just about anywhere super quick and simple. You can also easily walk to places like the Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace, and even the Prado and Retiro Park are within about 20 minutes on foot.

Where to stay

While there aren’t many large hotels in the area, there are lots of old quaint apartment rentals and a few boutique hotels that have been converted from old taverns. Surrounding these apartments and hotels are squares where kids run around after school and madrileños walk their dogs and do their shopping.

Here are some of the hotels I recommend:

L&H La Latina: A quaint and clean modern 3-star hotel 300 meters away from Puerta de Toledo metro stop. Options of rooms or suites with kitchenettes. Centrally located in La Latina, it’s a 5 minute walk to Plaza de la Cebada and El Rastro market. Rooms start at $100.

Hotel Gavinet: This is a simple but pleasantly modern 3-star hotel just a few steps away from the Puerta de Toledo metro stop. Many rooms have small terraces and there’s a nice rooftop pool and lounge area. Nightly rates from around $125.

Posada del Dragón: A 4-star boutique hotel with a modern and rather “style forward” design theme. At the northern tip of the neighborhood, you’re just a few minutes’ walk to the city center and right next to Calle de la Cava Baja and all the bars and restaurants there. About $150/night.

Posada del León de Oro: This 19th century tavern-turned boutique 4-star hotel is is very modern but has done a wonderful job of maintaining some of its traditional flavor. It’s right on Calle de la Cava Baja and about a 10-minute walk to Puerta del Sol. Rooms range from $100-300.

2. Sol

Pros: It’s the center of everything: historic sites & monuments, ancient architecture, events & concerts, street performances, shopping, restaurants, etc.

Cons: Undeniably touristy. While it’s filled with wonderful things to see and do, the atmosphere is not very local or traditionally Madrileño

*Puerta del Sol. Photo:* *Tomás Fano*, *CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

*Madrid’s Plaza Mayor. Photo:* *Sebastian Dubiel*, *CC BY-SA 3.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons*

As I mentioned above, Puerta del Sol is the symbolic and literal heart of the city, and if you choose to stay here, you’ll be right in the center of everything - where Madrid’s energy, culture, and history all come together. This is where all the action starts, and from here, charming cobblestone streets weave off to the city’s grandest palaces, magnificent squares, museums, monuments, and famous landmarks.

There’s always something going on here, from street markets to Christmas ice rinks, summer open-air movie theaters, and food and artisanal markets. Plus, there’s a new pedestrian street that connects you directly to the Royal Palace and Templo de Debod (the best spot to watch the sunset in the city, by the way!).

As you might expect, this is also the most intensely touristy part of the city, and it can sometimes feel like tourists outnumber locals, especially during busy times of year. Lots of restaurants cater to foreigners, and are therefore overpriced and mediocre, and you’ll find all the typical tacky souvenir shops and annoyingly pushy street vendors.

And while all of that is fairly annoying, I think the benefits of staying in a gorgeous historic center and being just a few minutes’ walk from the city’s best sights far outweigh the drawbacks. This is especially true if you’ll only be in Madrid for a couple of days, as you’ll be quite busy trying to fit all the sights in, most of which are right here.

Below, I’ll walk you through some of the main sights in/around Sol, which should give you a good idea of just how much there is to see and do here.

Of course, first on the list is Puerta del Sol itself, with its iconic statue of El Oso y El Madrono. Then there’s the grand Plaza Mayor, ringed by beautiful buildings and filled with cafes and restaurants. The magnificent Teatro Real opera house is just a couple of minutes’ walk away, from where you can head straight on to Madrid’s grandest building: the Palacio Real (Royal Palace). Just beneath there is the lovely Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena, while to the north, along Gran Vía, you’ll find the neon-lit Plaza del Callao, Madrid’s version of Times Square.

Major sights aside, wandering through the narrow ancient streets (many pedestrian-only) is such a pleasure, and if you let yourself just get lost, you’ll be delighted to constantly find yourself stumbling upon magnificent squares and gardens one after the other. And whenever you feel like a break from the city, you have big parks on either side of you, with Parque de el Retiro a short ways away to the east, and Parque del Oeste (which has a great rose garden) just to the northwest.

Many of Madrid’s most famous streets and boulevards also run through here, such as Gran Viá (the city’s main commercial street), Calle Mayor (which takes you to Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace), and Calle de Alcalá, which leads out to the Cibeles fountain (where Real Madrid celebrates their victories), neoclassical Puerta de Alcalá, Prado Museum, and Parque de el Retiro.

Where to stay

**A quick note about staying here in summer: during the summer (but especially August), you’ll notice a rather different, quieter atmosphere in the city center. That’s because this is when locals take their summer vacation, and they desert the city en masse to escape the heat, heading for the beach or the mountains. So, if you prefer a more relaxed, laid back vibe, this is the perfect time to stay in this part of town.

Petit Palace Puerta de Sol: Housed in a lovely 19th-century building and just steps away from Kilometer 0, this boutique hotel nicely mixes reminders of the past with modern décor. $280 a night.

Hotel Riu Plaza España: This is the most elegant 4-star hotel in the center, in my opinion. Modern and new, its splendid rooftop has exceptional 360 views over the city. Located near Gran Vía, it’s a 10-minute walk to Sol and right nearby the Opera and Royal Palace. $265 a night.

Hotel Vincci Capitol: An excellent 4-star hotel along Gran Vía and right on top of the emblematic Capitol Cinema (which hosts lots of movie premieres), Vincci Capitol’s location simply cannot be beat. Nightly rates are around $240.

Hotel Regente: Centrally located right on Gran Vía, the hotel is a 5-minute walk to Puerta del Sol and not much farther to the Royal Palace. A clean, modern, and comfortable 3-star option, this is a great place to between shopping sprees or busy days exploring the city. Rates start at $180.

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3. Barrio de las Letras

Pros: Rich cultural/arts scene, lots of great dining options, short 10-minute walk to Sol and the Arts District

Cons: Can be noisy and crowded during busy times of year. Pretty far from any big green spaces

*Lovely Plaza de Santa Ana in the evening. Photo:* *Edgardo W. Olivera from Montevideo, Uruguay*, *CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

*Calle del Prado, seen from Calle del León. Photo:* *Malopez 21*, *CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

Named after the great 16th and 17th century Spanish writers who once lived here, Barrio de Las Letras (which translates as “the Literary Quarter”) is a beautiful historic neighborhood just a few minutes’ walk to the east of Sol and the Plaza Mayor.

If you’re into literature, as I am, then this is unquestionably where you should stay. As a tribute to its past resident writers - like Cervants (author of Don Quixote) and Lope de Vega - many of the neighborhoods’ streets even have literary quotes engraved in the pavement.

As soon as you arrive in the area, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time into the world of the great writers from the past; You’ll have drinks in the same historic bars they used to frequent, you’ll wander along the same cobbled lanes they did on their late night strolls to think and clear their minds; and you’ll eat traditional Spanish meals at the very same centuries-old restaurants that they once did. Even the hotel you stay in may have once been a pension where they lodged!

Basically, this is a haven for anyone who loves books and culture or just wants to soak in the bohemian vibe of old Madrid. Long popular with wealthy Spaniards, expats, and tourists, you’ll find a mix of local and touristic life here.

I think the vibe is pretty similar to La Latina, although Las Letras is a bit more touristic. The look of the neighborhood is much the same though (very historic), with its narrow, pedestrian-friendly streets, lovely buildings from as far back as the 16th century, and beautiful squares.

Calle de las Huertas is the neighborhood’s main artery and runs right through the middle of it. Lined with colorful old palacios, you’ll find lots of second-hand bookshops, quirky little shops, and cozy cafés and restaurants popular with both locals and visitors. This is also a major nightlife street, and its bars stay open until well into the evening (far later than I can stay up anyways!).

One of the most fun hangout spots in the neighborhood is Plaza de Santa Ana, a lively square with outdoor terraces and the famous Teatro Español (a government-run theater that puts on lots of classic Spanish plays). The square has been a popular meeting place for centuries and it totally reflects the neighborhood’s social scene. Hemingway used to hang out here in the 1950’s, specifically at Cervecería Alemana, and he called it “a good place to drink beer and coffee” - high praise from him, I’d guess.

From Plaza de Santa Ana, you have a number of very interesting streets to explore, like Calle de León, Calle del Prado, Calle Lope de Vega, and Calle Príncipe, each of which are lines lined with boutiques, shops, and famous spots. Be sure to check out Café Central, a jazz club that has been a cornerstone of Madrid’s live music scene since the 80s. I highly recommend an evening there.

Two final suggestions from me: be sure to pay a visit to the Casa Museo Lope de Vega on Calle Cervantes. It’s a preserved 17th century building that was once a residence of the writer and offers a glimpse into his life and time in Madrid. And definitely make your way over to Librerías Cuesta Moyano, a quaint little hill filled with antique book stands!

Where to stay

Melia ME Madrid Reina Victoria: 4-star hotel with amazing views to the Plaza Santa Ana. A 19th century palace-turned hotel, this will give you an urban taste of the city with modernist décor. Just a 6 minute walk to Metro Sol. $230 a night.

Vincci Soho: If you want to splurge, this modern 4-star hotel is housed in beautiful historical buildings in the area. Traditional façade with artful and elegant rooms. This is the center of Barrio de Las Letras and super close to the Prado. Rooms start at $230.

Ibis Style Madrid Prado: Small, 3-star modern hotel with modern, comfortable and clean rooms. Amazing location, just a 5-minute walk to Sol. Rooms start at $180 a night.

Room Mate Alicia: This charming 3-star hotel overlooks the Plaza Santa Ana and has minimalist-style, colorful rooms. 10-minute walk to the Prado Museum and the Retiro Park. Puerta del Sol is just 5 minutes' walk away. Rooms start at $160 a night.

4. Salamanca

Pros: Most elegant part of Madrid with great access to high-end restaurants, cafés, and shops. Quieter and leafier than other neighborhoods

Cons: Higher-prices, doesn’t feel as “authentic” as the rest of the city, not much nightlife

*Calle Ortega Gasset. Photo:* *Luis García*, *CC BY-SA 3.0 ES, via Wikimedia Commons*

*Calle de Velazquéz. Photo:* *Luis García*, *CC BY-SA 3.0 ES, via Wikimedia Commons*

One of Madrid’s most iconic neighborhoods, wealthy and stately Salamanca is the place to see and be seen for Madrid’s rich and famous. About a 20 to 30-minute walk northeast of the city center (or a 15 to 20-minute metro ride), and beginning just above Parque de El Retiro, this area has attracted the city's elite for generations.

Just take a stroll here and you’ll be struck by the beauty of its 19th-century neoclassical and modernist buildings, all with elegant façades, grand entrances, and lavish details on the windows and balconies. You can even spot artwork from Joan Miró on display during a casual walk.

The heart of the neighborhood revolves around four of Madrid’s most exclusive streets: Calle Serrano, Calle Velázquez, and Calle de Goya, which all run parallel to one another, and Calle Ortega y Gasset, which runs perpendicularly across the other three. These streets are lined with ultra high-end boutiques and designer stores, from Jimmy Choo to Paco Rabanne, Dior, Hermes, and Rolex. There are also lots of local Spanish designers who you may not have heard of.

This part of the neighborhood is so well-known for its luxuriousness that it’s been nicknamed “The Golden Mile” (La Milla de Oro). The shopping, of course, is the main draw, but all of these streets have great architecture as well, ranging from neoclassical to modern skyscrapers. There are also tons of chic cafés, lots of quieter leafy streets, and some of the city’s most gourmet restaurants, which really come to life in the evening.

It’s not uncommon to spot a celebrity sipping coffee at one of the cafés or to catch a commercial or movie being filmed in the middle of the street. Much to my delight, I once spotted Chenoa, a popular Spanish singer, casually enjoying a café con leche at an outdoor terrace, and also stumbled upon a Nescafé commercial being filmed right on the street here!

This neighborhood is honestly a dream if you want to splurge and soak up the sophisticated vibe of Madrid. It’s more than just a commercial hub though, and since lots of people live here, there are all the normal shops and amenities that you’d want for every day life (just upscale and more expensive than elsewhere).

Some cool spots nearby include the Plaza de Toros Las Ventas (Madrid’s grand, 20,000 seater bullring), Casa Árabe, the Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa (for contemporary art exhibits and performances), and the Palacio de Amboage, a gorgeous 20th-century palace that’s now home to the Italian Embassy. During the Spanish Civil War, this building even hosted the mayor’s office. You can also visit the Museum of the Royal Mint, which was featured in the Netflix show, Money Heist.

There are a lot of other significant attractions nearby, albeit slightly outside of the neighborhood: you’re just a 15-minute walk from Plaza de Colón, a major square dedicated to Christopher Columbus, the National Library of Spain, Puerta de Alcalá (one of the city’s main gates), and Retiro Park - Madrid's most beautiful green space. Be sure to check out the incredibly beautiful Iglesia de San Miguel y San Benito when making your way to the park.

The nearest metro stops are Puerta de Retiro, Serrano, and Velázquez, each offering a quick metro ride straight to Puerta del Sol and other city center sights.

Where to stay

Hotel Wellington & Spa: This iconic hotel right on the northern edge of Retiro Park has hosted famous names for nearing a century, from Hollywood celebrities to Spain’s royal family. A classic 5-star property in a gorgeous historic building, it’s one of the city’s very best. Nightly rates from $300-$500.

Totém Madrid: A luxury boutique hotel in a restored 19th century building along the Golden Mile. Rooms are surprisingly spacious and comfortable, and feel cozy like an actual bedroom. The location is unbeatable, in the center of Salamanca and a block or 2 from multiple metro stops. Rates from $300-$400.

Catalonia Goya: 4-star hotel with a beautiful entrance and spacious and bright, lively rooms, many with very large windows. Exclusive location right on Calle Goya and next to Metro Velazquez, about a 20-minute rid to Sol. Rates start at $200 a night.

NH Madrid Balboa: In the north of Salamanca, this is a stylish 4-star hotel with pleasantly contemporary décor. The location is great: one street off from Calle de Velázquez, a 5-minute walk to the nearest metro (Nuñez de Balboa), and a few blocks away from the tree-lined Paseo de la Castellana. Rates start at $180 a night.

Hotel Serrano: Modern, 4-star hotel with a great location in a very peaceful area. The hotel has a classic ambiance and lots of careful attention to detail. 5-minute walk to the nearest metro stop, Ruben Darío. Rates start at $170.

Other neighborhoods to consider

I think the 4 neighborhoods described above represent the best choices for the vast majority of travelers, but if you’re looking for something different or just want to consider a few more options, here are 4 other central neighborhoods that I quite like.

2 of them, Retiro and Chamberí, are more residential and local, while the other 2 - Malasaña and Lavapiés - are somewhat alternative areas that are still well-known to and popular with travelers. All 4 of them are very nice, but there are drawbacks to each, so you need to consider those when thinking about staying there.

Here’s a quick overview:

Retiro

Probably the most picturesque and peaceful spot in Madrid, Retiro is just to the southeast of the center, on the other side of Parque de el Retiro. The main benefit of staying here is the access to the park and its lakes, gardens, and paths. It really is wonderful to start or end your days strolling through this magnificent green space.

As for the neighborhood itself, it has a relaxed, relatively upscale vibe, with plenty of good cafés and dining options, and a surprising amount of other smaller parks dotted all throughout it.

There aren’t many major sights in the neighborhood (other than the park), but lovely Salamanca is just to the north, Lavapiés isn’t far away (to the west), and Atocha train station is just south of you. There are a couple of Metro stops as well (along Calle del Dr. Esquerdo), so you have decent public transit options.

Being on the other side of the park has one major downside though: a long walk into the center (around 40 minutes).

Malasaña

Just to the north of Sol, the Plaza Mayor, and other city center sights, this historic neighborhood was once the center of Madrid’s counterculture movement and it still retains that bohemian spirit. A hub for creatives and artists, it’s what many would probably refer to as “hipster central”, and strolling through its narrow streets will take you past quirky bars, indie boutiques, cool murals, and unique eateries. All together it has a very eclectic, artsy charm.

Malasaña is also a major party area super popular with twenty and thirty-something year olds, who flock here in the evenings to eat, drink, and go out.

For travelers who love a good mix of culture, nightlife (there’s lot of live music), and historic charm, it’s a great spot to stay. On the other hand, if it’s peace and quiet you’re after, or if you just don’t want to be surrounded by rowdy young people, it might not be for you.

Lavapiés

Just to the southeast of Sol and all the main tourist attractions, Lavapiés is a rapidly gentrifying area that’s long been a hub for immigrants. Once thought to be somewhat “rough”, that’s no longer really the case, and it’s a really busy and fun area filled with restaurants, bars, and cafes.

Its location is also excellent, around a 15-minute walk to Puerta del Sol, and just steps away from the Museo Del Prado, Retiro Park, the Reina Sofia musem, and Atocha train station.

There are two major drawbacks though: the neighborhood is down a steep hill from a lot of the major touristic sights, so you’ll regularly be doing a big uphill walk, and it’s noisy until quite late into the evenings, as people spill out onto the streets from the bars and restaurants.

Chamberí

Similar in some ways to Salamanca, Chamberí is a bit less ostentatiously wealthy. Slightly removed from the city center to the northwest, it’s very local and the crowd here is rather cultured, so you’ll find lots of great dining options, theaters, and artistic/cultural venues.

A charming, residential neighborhood, the vibe here is very laid-back and you’ll find tree-lined streets, quaint cafés, and old-school Spanish bars where locals hang out and chat over tapas. It’s a peaceful escape from the hustle of the city but is just a 10-minute metro ride to Sol (there are a bunch of metro stops in the neighborhood).

With its slower pace of life, it’s perfect for anyone who wants to experience Madrid like a local, enjoy some peace and quiet, and still be just a short ride away from all the action.