| Due to the piecemeal fashion in which it has grown over the past 11 centuries, Madrid can sometimes seem a hodgepodge of many different cities all clumped together, and although Madrid has changed much in the last few years, the distinctively different flavors of its neighborhoods remain. |
Sol and Huertas—The heart of the city is Puerta del Sol (the Gate of the Sun, so named for its position as the eastern gate on the old city wall), the home of kilometro cero (“kilometer zero”), the point from which all distances along the national highways are measured. An icon of Madrid, Sol was for centuries the place for gossip in Madrid, and it is still used by madrileños and tourists alike as a prime meeting place—speaking of tourists however, be warned: Sol is also a favorite of pick-pockets, who will often work in groups and love to prey on human decency by asking you for a light or striking up a conversation about the latest Real Madrid match, so be wary as you stop to gaze up at the huge Tío Pepe sign or stare at the statue of el oso madrileño (the Madrid Bear, symbol of the city), and clutch your wallet tight. The area below the Puerta del Sol that extends to the Paseo del Prado is known as Huertas for its main avenue, and its mix of small quirky bars, hip clubs, Irish pubs, and traditional madrileño holes-in-the-wall makes it a great place to head when you don't know exactly how you want your evening to go.
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Madrid de los Austrias (Austrian Madrid) is so named for the Hapsburgs who ruled Madrid (and various chunks of modern Spain and far beyond) from 1561-1700. This is Old Madrid, where the original Moorish settlement of Mayrit was founded in the 9th century and which today includes the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor.
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Well known as Madrid's gay district, the area surrounding the Plaza de Chueca is a great place for quirky boutiques and chic restaurants, or just for a sunny afternoon stroll.
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Named for the Queen's Latin tutor and court favorite, who donated a hospital to the neighborhood, La Latina now mixes the traditional of Madrid (like the Sunday morning institution El Rastro flea market) with classic restaurants (check out Casa Lucas and basically every other restaurant on C/Cava Baja) and new touches from the area's immigrant population.
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