2. Madrid’s Coolest Neighborhoods

2.1. Las Letras: In the seventeenth century, the Golden Age of Spanish Literature, Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Quevedo, Tirso de Molina and Góngora, among other authors, had their homes here – hence the name. Some of the streets in this neighbourhood pay tribute to this and other brilliant chapters of Spanish history, culture and art.  The Literary Quarter lies in the heart of Madrid, between such attractions as Sol-Gran Vía and Paseo del Arte (Art Walk). Its boundaries are Calle de la Cruz, Carrera de San Jerónimo, Paseo del Prado and Calle Atocha. Enjoy a walk through Huertas Street, with famous literary quotes embedded in the pavement, and visit Lope de Vega House-Museum.

2.2. Malasaña: It owes its name to Manuela Malasaña, one of the heroines and victims of the historical events that took place in Madrid on 2 May 1808. Plaza del Dos de Mayo, at the heart of the neighbourhood, commemorates the rebellion against Napoleon’s occupation led by captains Luis Daoíz and Pedro Velarde, officers at the headquarters of the Monteleón Artillery Regiment. The square, which has kept an arch of the old military premises, pays tribute to the two brave captains with a monument. The district Malasaña resembles a square, bordered by Gran Vía on the south, Calle Fuencarral on the east, Calle Carranza on the north and Calle de San Bernardo on the west. Malasaña is perfect for cozy cafés and vintage shops.

2.3. Chueca: In the deep heart of Madrid, next to Gran Vía, Chueca is globally famous, courtesy of its high-spirited atmosphere and lively nightlife scene. Art and history contribute to its being a tourist attraction as well. Chueca accommodates the Museum of Romanticism, housed in the former palace of the Marquis of Matallana, built in 1776. The museum contains an interesting collection of paintings, furniture and decorative objects from the nineteenth century that give you an idea of how Romantic Madrid used to be. It has works by Goya, Esquivel, Madrazo, Alenza, Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and his brother Valeriano, among other artists. With the arrival of summer, the Chueca neighbourhood becomes the epicentre of one of the most awaited parties, the Madrid LGTBIQA+ Pride Festivals. 

2.4. La Latina: With El Rastro flea market, tapas, the festival of La Paloma, Las Vistillas Gardens and much more, this fun-loving area of Madrid is a must for visitors to the capital. La Latina is located in the heart of Madrid, adjacent to other areas of tourist interest, such as the Habsburg, Sol-Gran Vía, Lavapiés and Madrid Río neighbourhoods. El Rastro, Madrid's famous open-air flea market, is open every Sunday and public holiday from 9 AM–3 PM. La Latina is a tapas paradise! Enjoy Cava Baja Street for traditional Spanish food.

2.5. Lavapiés: Madrid’s most multicultural neighborhood, offering international cuisine and street art. Since the sixteenth century, Lavapiés has been inhabited by the lower classes. Local residents used to live in apartment blocks, or tenements, called corralas that were arranged around an interior courtyard. You can see a typical example of this type of buildings at the corner of Tribulete and Mesón de Paredes. The tourist district of Lavapiés lies in the southeast part of almond-shaped central Madrid. As in the neighbouring Barrio de La Latina, the streets here are steep, narrow and maze-like, which reminds us that the area emerged in the Middle Ages as a quarter outside the walled town soon after Madrid became the capital of the kingdom in 1561.