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 theatres, 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 RM576 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
RM576
RM633 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
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! (565 reviews)
Comfy rooms and great location
"I had a very nice stay at Radisson Red. Check in was easy and the staff were helpful. I traveled solo on this trip and enjoyed the free WiFi and the air conditioning during the heat wave. The lobby and décor were nice. The corridors in the room level were a little dark, but the rooms were very clean, ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2025

Radisson RED Madrid
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 RM947 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
RM947
RM1,042 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
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! (166 reviews)
"This hotel is absolutely beautiful. The rooms are clean, have good accomodations and products. They leave water for you every day, one bottle per person. The AC is perfect, which really matters in the hot humid June July Madrid weather. They have a nice coffee machine and tea kettle, plus snacks/drinks ..."

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Casa de Las Artes, member of Meliá Collection
Far Home Atocha
Far Home Atocha
2 out of 5
Calle Atocha, 45, Madrid
Fully refundable
The price is RM249 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
RM249
RM274 total
14 Jul - 15 Jul
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! (568 reviews)
"Great place, clean and with good staff and in a busy area"

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Far Home Atocha
Hostal Alonso No Limit Madrid
Hostal Alonso No Limit Madrid
2 out of 5
Espoz y MIna 17 3ero, Madrid
The price is RM214 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
RM214
RM236 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
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 16 Jun 2025

Hostal Alonso No Limit Madrid
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Santa Ana Apartments Las Letras
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Santa Ana Apartments Las Letras
3.5 out of 5
Calle del Principe 11, Madrid
The price is RM501 per night from 6 Aug to 7 Aug
RM501
RM551 total
6 Aug - 7 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Madrid. Enjoy concierge services, premium bedding, and an in-room coffeemaker. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (617 reviews)
"This location was excellent and easy to get around Madrid from this location"

Reviewed on 7 Jul 2025

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Santa Ana Apartments Las Letras
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 RM595 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
RM595
RM654 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
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! (1,005 reviews)
"Quiet, clean and central location"

Reviewed on 7 Jul 2025

Hotel Villa Real, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts
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

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Huertas

4.5/5(85 area reviews)

Congress of Deputies and Plaza de Santa Ana are just a few worthwhile attractions to visit in Huertas. Travellers also love the fantastic nightlife, fascinating museums and popular shops.

Huertas
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Madrid Centro

4.5/5(745 area reviews)

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
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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 of the city at Sol Station or Callao Station.

Sol
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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
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Embajadores

El Rastro and Puerta de Toledo are top sights in Embajadores, and you should be sure to explore the fascinating museums. Hop aboard the metro at Lavapies Station or Tirso de Molina Station to see more sights in the area.

Embajadores
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Lavapiés

Lavapiés is highly notable for its fascinating museums, and you might want to visit top sights like Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and El Rastro. See more of Madrid by jumping on the metro at Lavapies Station or Embajadores Station.

Lavapiés

Barrio de las Letras