Steps away from everything you want to explore
An unbeatable location in the heart of the city, Plaza de Isabel II, opposite the Opera Palace, a few steps from the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía, as well as a stroll through emblematic neighbourhoods such as La Latina, Huertas, Los Austrias, Malasaña and Chueca.
Curiosity of our neighbourhood
Didn't you know that one of our country's most international painters is buried in a square just 2 minutes from the hotel? It is Diego de Velázquez, a cross in the centre of the Plaza de Ramales marks the place where the disappeared Church of San Juan Bautista was located. It was one of the oldest churches in Madrid and had a chapel owned by the Order of Santiago, where the couple was buried.
The painter had managed, with great effort, to join this Order months before his death and was buried after a solemn ceremony. His tombstone bore this inscription:
"Here lies, O sorrow, Don Diego de Silva... in the company of heroes... while the painting wept with them"..
A century and a half later, during Joseph Bonaparte's stay in Madrid, the French King ordered the demolition of numerous buildings in the city centre in order to open up squares (hence the Madrid picares of the time nicknamed Pepe Plazuelas). One of the victims of his urban redevelopment was the church of San Juan Bautista, with the demolition of which the remains of the Sevillian genius are lost to this day.
Nowadays, if you look around this square, you will see some flagstones embedded in the ground marking what must have been the outer perimeter of the church that no longer exists. In addition, a column topped by a cross of Santiago reminds us that the remains of Velázquez, if they still exist, rest under its pavement. Fortunately, his works are eternal and the memory of their author will never be buried.
Harry and Sally's Watch
A hidden place that not many people know about to eat one of the best stews in Madrid with a menu based on traditional dishes, but with contemporary touches. The service is great, it is hidden away in calle Reloj nº 16. It is only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and is just 5 minutes' walk from the hotel behind the Senate.
Find out for yourself
Vinyl shops
Let's not forget vinyl record shopping if you are a fan of them, in the hidden streets between Callao and behind our hotel, you will find between Postigo de San Martín street and Navas de Tolosa street a variety of vinyl shops such as La Gramola, Discos La Metralleta, Escridiscos or Discos Babel. Unique places to find gems.
Follow the rhythm of the neighbourhood
La Bambolain Malasaña
A charismatic, endearing, emblematic venue of the Madrid nightlife, with the nicest bartender and manager in the whole city. Music from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. A trip back in time where you can enjoy a few dances, a meeting, whatever it is, and always have a good time. The "place to be" in the area if you want to have a drink during the week or where to start the night on weekends. Varied, fun and with a diverse and peculiar crowd and music.
This is where the good stuff starts
The Barley Market
It is the heart of La Latina, a traditional market (not for tourists) where the seafood stalls start to cook the seafood directly for you from 1pm onwards, which you can enjoy with an albariño or a cold beer at a very good price at the stalls themselves. There are also exhibitions and vintage shops next to the traditional fishmonger's, a place where you can mingle with locals and strangers alike, sharing something as typical of Madrid as a midday aperitif.
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The MiniBAR
Our favourite place for tapas and raciones, tucked away 2 minutes from the hotel, is a small bar with art exhibitions on the walls and incredible cuisine at a very good price. Nacho, the owner, is charming and is attentive as you try his crispy wild boar with seasonal vegetables, aubergine rolls or cheesecake and finish with a few cocktails.
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Chocolateria San Ginés
Among alleys that smell of history and cobblestones that have heard of everything, hides a place where time melts in a cup of thick chocolate. San Ginés is not a chocolate shop, it is a ritual. Madrilenian, traditional and unfiltered. It opens in the early hours of the morning and closes when no one expects it. Its churros crackle like applause and its chocolate hugs like a grandmother's embrace. There are no fashions here. Only tradition well served and tables that have seen eternal nights and mornings with hangovers.
Dare with the first sip.
Teatro Real
The Teatro Real is Madrid's opera house. It is located in the Plaza de Oriente, opposite the Royal Palace. Its construction began in 1818, and it was inaugurated in 1850. It remained an uninterrupted opera house until 1925, when it had to close due to structural problems in the building. It did not reopen its doors until 1966, as a symphony concert hall. Between 1988 and 1997, it underwent a major refurbishment to convert it back into an opera house.
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Il Barrio de la Latina
La Latina is a lively neighborhood set in the grounds of a medieval Islamic fortress, a labyrinth of narrow streets with numerous tapas bars and taverns. The Royal Basilica of San Francisco el Grande, with works by Goya, and the church of San Pedro el Viejo, which has a Mudejar tower, are two of the neighbourhood's landmarks. On Sundays, both the El Rastro flea market and the cafés and street food stalls in the area fill up with visitors.
I want to get to know the neighbourhood
Barrio de las Letras
The main artery of the Barrio de Las Letras, Calle Huertas has engraved on its cobblestones some of the most famous verses of 16th and 17th century literature, in honour of illustrious neighbours such as Miguel de Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Francisco de Quevedo and Luis de Góngora. That spirit of a ludic neighbourhood with its many taverns and inns is still alive today.
How to get there
San Miguel Market
More than 100 years have passed since the Mercado de San Miguel was inaugurated as a food market. Today, this historic building is one of the world's leading gastronomic markets, allowing visitors to take a tour of the essence and flavours of every corner of Spain.
How to get there
