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 neighbourhood’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 theatres. 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 neighbourhood. 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 €115 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
€115
24 Aug - 25 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! (624 reviews)
"Great modern option in Madrid"

Reviewed on 7 Aug 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 €180 per night from 21 Aug to 22 Aug
€180
21 Aug - 22 Aug
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! (183 reviews)
"A beautiful hotel with lovely staff. We especially liked the breakfast; a great buffet and you could choose one option from the menu. The library was a very comfortable place to sit and unwind after a day exploring Madrid. The staff were happy to bring a drink to us too. We slept very well in the ..."

Reviewed on 6 Aug 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 €47 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
€47
25 Aug - 26 Aug
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.
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 25 Jul 2025

Hostal Alonso No Limit Madrid
Far Home Atocha

Far Home Atocha

2 out of 5
Calle Atocha, 45, Madrid
The price is €57 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
€57
18 Aug - 19 Aug
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! (586 reviews)
"Great place, clean and with good staff and in a busy area"

Reviewed on 5 Jul 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 €131 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
€131
17 Aug - 18 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! (1,001 reviews)
"Restricted access by car. Impossible to drive to the hotel front door as the streets are blocked due to some construction."

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Hotel Villa Real, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Radisson Blu Hotel, Madrid Prado

Radisson Blu Hotel, Madrid Prado

4 out of 5
Calle de Moratin, 52, Madrid, Madrid
The price is €140 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
€140
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (791 reviews)
"muy buen servicio en general ia recepcionista Sofia muy buen trato y servicial en todo momento asii como la recepcion en general"

Reviewed on 7 Aug 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Madrid Prado
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

Default Image

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
Default Image

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
Default Image

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
Default Image

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
Default Image

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
Default Image

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

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: