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 P7,669 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
P7,669
P8,436 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
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! (615 reviews)
Приятная гостиница со свежим ремонтом
"Мы ночевали только одну ночь, и все было прекрасно. Оксана на ресепшене была очень гостеприимной. Здание, конечно, некрасивое и неинтересная крыша."

Reviewed on Aug 2, 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 P11,715 per night from Aug 19 to Aug 20
P11,715
P12,886 total
Aug 19 - Aug 20
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! (181 reviews)
"Traveled with my wife and 2 kids (teens) We had a connecting room which was great. Facilities are clean, modern and secure. Beds are comfortable. Pillows are comfortable. Clean. Morning buffet was fantastic. And more importantly the staff !!! Yevgeniy was somehow always available to answer any questions. ..."

Reviewed on Jul 29, 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
Stay at this hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi and housekeeping. Popular attractions Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor are located nearby.
7.4/10 Good! (10 reviews)
"El lugar es comodo, limpio y seguro, muy cercano del centro de madrir y de facil accesibilidad"

Reviewed on Jul 25, 2025

Hostal Alonso No Limit Madrid
Far Home Atocha

Far Home Atocha

2 out of 5
Calle Atocha, 45, Madrid
The price is P4,022 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
P4,022
P4,424 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hostal in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (582 reviews)
"Great place, clean and with good staff and in a busy area"

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

Far Home Atocha
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 P7,923 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
P7,923
P8,715 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
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! (1,001 reviews)
"Restricted access by car. Impossible to drive to the hotel front door as the streets are blocked due to some construction."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 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
The price is P10,292 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
P10,292
P11,321 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
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! (1,996 reviews)
"Nice and clean"

Reviewed on Aug 3, 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

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Huertas

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

Huertas
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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
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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 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

Travelers love Embajadores for its fascinating museums, and you can see more of Madrid by jumping on the metro at Lavapies Station or Tirso de Molina Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like El Rastro and Puerta de Toledo.

Embajadores
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Lavapiés

Enjoy the fascinating museums in Lavapiés. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Lavapies Station or Embajadores Station to see more of Madrid.

Lavapiés

Barrio de las Letras