Barrio de las Letras

Madrid

Barrio de las Letras
Barrio de las Letras
Barrio de las Letras
Barrio de las Letras
Barrio de las Letras

Once home to some of Spain’s most revered literati, this bohemian quarter today has streets lined with boutiques and theaters, atmospheric bars and restaurants. 

Literature and the performing arts abound on the cobblestone streets of Madrid’s Barrio de las Letras. This is where luminaries of Spanish literature lived, socialized and worked during the Golden Age of the 16th and 17th century. Find reminders and memorials to Cervantes, Lope de Vega and Quevedo, among others, in the Barrio de las Letras. Enjoy the neighborhood’s captivating ambiance while walking along pedestrian-only streets and musing at varied drinking and dining options.

The quarter’s narrow lanes, framed by elegant residences, are perfect to explore on foot. Antique dealers, bookstores, fashion boutiques and luthier workshops offer superb opportunities for window shopping. Pay attention to street names that celebrate literary giants and spot pavement inscriptions from the works of writers such as Miguel Cervantes and José Echegaray.

Calle de las Huertas is the busy heart of the area, where beerhalls, cafés and restaurants spill onto the pavements. Pull up a seat, order a cold beer or glass of wine and snack on delectable tapas and Basque and Mediterranean dishes. More restaurants surround Plaza de Santa Ana, a paved square with statues of dramatist Calderón de la Barca and poet Federico García Lorca.

Glimpse into the life of Lope de Vega at the Casa Museo Lope de Vega, which preserves the original layout and furniture of the writer's former home. Reserve your guided tour in advance to guarantee access.

First built in the 1500s, the Church of San Sebastian is another landmark with literary connections. It was the venue for the baptism of Ramón de la Cruz and the funerals of Cervantes and Lope de Vega.

Enjoy an evening of entertainment at the notable theaters. Teatro Español is one of Europe’s oldest performance venues and has several intimate auditoriums. Watch Broadway musicals and concerts at Teatro Calderón. Ateneo de Madrid is a place for art exhibitions, live music and poetry readings.

Barrio de las Letras sits in the eastern section of Madrid’s Centro neighborhood. It’s served by the Antón Martín, Atocha and Puerta del Sol subway stations.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Barrio de las Letras

Radisson RED Madrid
Radisson RED Madrid
4 out of 5
Atocha 123, Madrid, Madrid
The price is P8,160 per night from Jul 28 to Jul 29
P8,160
P8,976 total
Jul 28 - Jul 29
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (554 reviews)
"Good location, clean room, good bathroom. Some of the public areas were disappointing, the bar area was nice, but service was abysmally slow."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

Radisson RED Madrid
Far Home Atocha
Far Home Atocha
2 out of 5
Calle Atocha, 45, Madrid
The price is P3,701 per night from Jul 3 to Jul 4
P3,701
P4,072 total
Jul 3 - Jul 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hostal in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (561 reviews)
"The best hostel I visit in Madrid"

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025

Far Home Atocha
Casa de Las Artes, member of Meliá Collection
Casa de Las Artes, member of Meliá Collection
4 out of 5
Atocha 83, Atocha, Madrid, Madrid
The price is P14,870 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
P14,870
P16,357 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Prado Museum and Puerta del Sol are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (163 reviews)
"Historic, phenomenal check-in experience, beautifully restored – stunning"

Reviewed on Jun 25, 2025

Casa de Las Artes, member of Meliá Collection
Hostal Alonso No Limit Madrid
Hostal Alonso No Limit Madrid
2 out of 5
Espoz y MIna 17 3ero, Madrid
The price is P2,920 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
P2,920
P3,211 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi and housekeeping. Popular attractions Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor are located nearby.
8.4/10 Very Good! (6 reviews)
"La atencion del personal excelente.nuy cordiales.lindo ambiente."

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025

Hostal Alonso No Limit Madrid
Hotel Villa Real, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Hotel Villa Real, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts
5 out of 5
Plaza de las Cortes 10, Madrid, Madrid
The price is P8,922 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
P8,922
P9,814 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"All really excellent"

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2025

Hotel Villa Real, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Barceló Torre de Madrid
Barceló Torre de Madrid
5 out of 5
Plaza de España, 18, Madrid
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P11,509 per night from Jul 31 to Aug 1
P11,509
P12,660 total
Jul 31 - Aug 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,881 reviews)
"Great Stay in brilliant location"

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Barceló Torre de Madrid
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Barrio de las Letras

Barrio de las Letras showing outdoor art

Huertas

Calle de Cervantes 2 and Congress of Deputies are just a few worthwhile attractions to visit in Huertas. Travelers also love the fantastic nightlife, fascinating museums, and popular shops.

Huertas
Puerta del Sol showing street scenes, a sunset and a city

Madrid Centro

5/5(1 area review)

Known for its fascinating museums and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Madrid Centro. Check out top attractions like Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, and jump on the metro at Sol Station or Gran Via Station to see more of the city.

Madrid Centro
Spain featuring swimming, general coastal views and tropical scenes

Sol

If you're spending time in Sol, check out sights like Puerta del Sol or Plaza Mayor and hop on the metro to see more the city at Sol Station or Callao Station.

Sol
CaixaForum Madrid showing outdoor art

Golden Triangle of Art

Golden Triangle of Art is popular for its fascinating museums. Explore top sights like Prado Museum and Paseo del Prado, and you can get around town on the metro at Estación del Arte.

Golden Triangle of Art
Lavapies featuring a fountain

Lavapiés

Enjoy the fascinating museums in Lavapiés. Teatro Nuevo Apolo is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Lavapies Station or Embajadores Station to see more of Madrid.

Lavapiés
Chueca featuring cafe scenes and a city as well as a large group of people

Chueca

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Chueca, you might enjoy attractions like Gran Via and Plaza de Chueca. You might also enjoy the neighborhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Chueca Station to see more of the city.

Chueca

Barrio de las Letras