Madrid is divided into 21 administrative districts and 131 neighbourhoods, but for visitors what matters most is the Centro district and a few areas around it. Each barrio has its own soul: the monumental Habsburg city, the city of taverns, the multi-ethnic city, the literary city, the city of nightlife and the bourgeois city. It is part of the Madrid guide.
The historic centre
| Neighbourhood | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sol and the Austrias | The historic heart, squares, monuments, shops | First visit, everything on foot |
| La Latina | Medieval lanes, churches, tapas on Cava Baja, the Rastro | Eating and Sundays |
| Lavapiés | Multi-ethnic, alternative, theatres and world food | Authentic atmosphere, low budget |
| Barrio de las Letras | Cervantes and Lope de Vega, bars, theatres, near the museums | Museums and evenings |
| Malasaña | Young, creative, vintage, cradle of the Movida | Nightlife, cafés, independent shops |
| Chueca | The LGBTQ+ district, lively, stylish, restaurants | Going out, Pride, food |
Beyond the centre
| Neighbourhood | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Salamanca | 19th-century grid, luxury shops | Shopping, elegance, calm |
| Chamberí | Residential, authentic, "Madrileños' Madrid" | Living like a local |
| Retiro and Ibiza | By the park, families, neighbourhood bars | Quiet stays near the museums |
| Argüelles and Moncloa | University area, Parque del Oeste, Temple of Debod | Students, sunsets, lower prices |
| Arganzuela and Madrid Río | The riverside, Matadero, new venues | Outdoor sport, contemporary culture |
| Chamartín and Castellana | Offices, the Bernabéu, skyscrapers | Business, trade fairs, football |
The Centro district
The Centro district includes six official neighbourhoods: Palacio, around the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor; Embajadores, which includes La Latina and Lavapiés; Cortes, with the Barrio de las Letras and the Congress of Deputies; Justicia, which corresponds to Chueca; Universidad, i.e. Malasaña and Conde Duque; and Sol. It is small, can be crossed on foot in half an hour, and is a low-emission zone where private traffic is restricted.
Which neighbourhood to choose
- First time in Madrid, a few days: Sol, Ópera or Huertas, to have everything within walking distance.
- Art lovers: the Barrio de las Letras or around the Prado and Atocha.
- Nightlife: Malasaña or Chueca, knowing it is noisy at night.
- Families: Retiro, Salamanca or Chamberí, quieter and near parks.
- Low budget: Lavapiés, Argüelles or the areas around Atocha and Príncipe Pío stations.
- Luxury and shopping: Salamanca, with the "golden mile" of calle Serrano.
For hotels and recommended areas see where to stay in Madrid.
Tips
- The central neighbourhoods are close together: no need for the metro between Sol, La Latina, Huertas and Malasaña.
- Each neighbourhood has its municipal market: San Fernando in Lavapiés, La Cebada in La Latina, Antón Martín in Huertas, San Antón in Chueca, La Paz in Salamanca, Vallehermoso in Chamberí (see markets and shopping).
- The August neighbourhood festivals, San Cayetano, San Lorenzo and La Paloma, turn La Latina and Lavapiés into great street parties (see festivals).