Madrid neighborhoods

The Gran Vía, Madrid's main boulevard, stretches majestically from the Plaza de España and encompassing the Puerta del Sol. The Gran Vía is like no other avenue in Madrid. It's a truly grand boulevard populated by impressive and massive art-nouveau buildings, cinemas, shopping, and theaters. Both pricey (three-, four- and five-star hotels) and cheapo (one-star pensions) accommodations populate the Gran Vía.

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Just north of Chueca, the quieter Chamberí is a pleasant reprieve from the busy city but still close enough that all the favorite attractions are easily accessible. Home to the exquisite park Casa de Campo, the neighborhood offers visitors a variety of amusements, from quiet outdoor ambling to amusement park squeals. Want to know more about Spain's favorite sport? The bullfighter school at Casa de Campo allows visitors to observe their training. For the architecturally inclined, the streets of Chamberí boast stunning structures, including two palaces, El Palacio Real de Aranjuez and Reales Palacio de El Pardo. Hotel-wise, this "sweet escape" has a scattering of bargains, and also throws in a few splurge-worthies.

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This up-and-coming area north of the Gran Via includes the main streets of Hortaleza, Infantas, Barquillo, and San Lucas, and is considered the epicenter of gay Madrid. The center of life in this area is the buzzing Plaza de Chueca, packed with people on any spring or summer night, close to Madrid's trendiest new restaurants, bars, and dance clubs.

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Huertas? Santa Ana? Oddly enough, the neighborhood itself doesn't seem to know. But whatever its name, one thing's certain: this tiny (but central) stretch of city just south of Puerta del Sol is jam-packed with people, attractions, and excitement. Also known as Barrio de las Letras (or "Neighborhood of the Letters), it was once a hot spot for literary gents of Madrid's Golden Age. Remnants of 16th- and 17th-century literary life still abound around Plaza Santa Ana, including the Mueseo Cervantino, once the printing site of the first edition of Don Quixote, and the Ateneo library. Also leftover from it's literary past are the theaters and bars that have always made Huertas and Santa Ana lively and popular. Though digs in this popular hood can sometimes be on the pricier end, there are deals to be had for travelers who crave a lively bar scene.

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A few blocks South of Puerta del Sol, Atocha refers to Calle de Atocha and the area around the Atocha Train Station. Atocha is comprised of a residential neighborhood, the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, the Ethnological Museum, and the Real Jardín Botánico. North of the station lie the magnificent Prado and Tyssen art museums.

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The Puerta del Sol is the geographic and historic center of old Madrid. Within walking distance of most of central Madrid's tourist offerings, the Puerta del Sol is an obligatory stop for all visitors to Madrid. Calle Mayor, a major commercial and business street, runs to the west of Puerta del Sol. Tiny, dense streets packed with tapas bars, restaurants, and cafes lie to Puerta del Sol's south. Many of Madrid's best hotels are on the Puerta del Sol, while pensions can be found along the side streets.

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What 5th Avenue and Upper East Side is to New York, Salamanca is to Madrid. Big name fashion boutiques, where clothing costs more than a Madrid vacation, line the neighborhood's provincial streets. Two museums of interest are Museo Arqueológico and Museo Sorolla. On its fringe is the largest flying Spanish flag in Madrid, raised over Plaza Colon, skateboarding central, where some of the best known aficionados in Spain hit the pavement.

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