Barrio de Las Letras
Barrio de Las Letras
4.5
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The area
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Neighbourhood: Huertas
Also known as Barrio de las Letras, Huertas was once home to prominent literary figures, Miguel de Cervantes and Lope de Vega among them. The neighbourhood is committed to celebrating its rich heritage: Calle Huertas itself is inlaid with quotes from celebrated authors, street names pay homage to them, and second-hand bookshops pervade. Huertas receives a fair amount of spillover from the center — side streets around Plaza Santa Ana take on a foreign party atmosphere at night, and you always see young backpackers navigating the streets — but as you descend into the neighbourhood, everything becomes a little more cramped and slightly less refined, and takes on more of an underground feel. Live music is at the heart of Huertas: by night, its subdued bars are ideal for meeting friends, sipping cocktails, and chatting quietly while enjoying jazz or singer-songwriter performances.
How to get there
- Antón Martín • 2 min walk
- Vodafone Sol • 6 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
9,254 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,351 within 6 miles
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4.5
586 reviews
Excellent
367
Very good
189
Average
25
Poor
4
Terrible
1
JessyPage
Washington DC, DC4 contributions
Oct 2019
This is an area of Madrid where all the famous writers and poet lived during the Spanish golden age. Now this whole area is full of nice bars and cafes. It makes for a great place for bar hopping at nights. Its usually safe at night and at weekends you can see crowds everywhere. I am already missing going there again.
Written 14 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil S
4 contributions
Sept 2021
One of the most chic neighbourhoods of Madrid. It is right in the city center and has a lot a places to see and do. you will find a lot of bars in Santa Ana square and the places a full till past midnight.
Written 20 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie
127 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
We stayed in this neighborhood and LOVED it. This barrio is full of unique shops and boutiques (fave is Madrid Al Cuba), great restaurants, bars, Essential Flamenco, music and coffee shops. It is cultural during the day and buzzing at night. It feels
Like a place where locals mix with tourists. Beautiful area of Madrid.
Like a place where locals mix with tourists. Beautiful area of Madrid.
Written 30 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adomvatik
Tel Aviv, Israel375 contributions
May 2024 • Family
We just visited Piazza Sant Ann adjoining piazza Angel and surrounding streets. we didn't make a profound barrio stroll (time!).
we did it at night and it was wonderful. Don't miss it!
Suggest planning for dinner there.
we did it at night and it was wonderful. Don't miss it!
Suggest planning for dinner there.
Written 5 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve_of_N21
London, UK3,274 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We chose a hotel in the Barrio de Las Lettras for our visit to Madrid, and what a fantastic decision that was.
This Barrio is the beating old heart of Madrid. A maze of narrow cobbled streets that house many traditional bars and Tabernas, and independent cafes and small shops. Also home to Plaza de Santa Ana , one of the most intimate squares in Madrid and Calle de Las Huertas, its main historical street.
It is worth exploring this Barrio during the day, but especially at night when it is lively and never dull.
This Barrio is the beating old heart of Madrid. A maze of narrow cobbled streets that house many traditional bars and Tabernas, and independent cafes and small shops. Also home to Plaza de Santa Ana , one of the most intimate squares in Madrid and Calle de Las Huertas, its main historical street.
It is worth exploring this Barrio during the day, but especially at night when it is lively and never dull.
Written 2 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikael F
Helsinki, Finland31,149 contributions
Dec 2022
Barrio de las Letras, also known as Huertas, was once home to some of the greatest Spanish writers of the 17th century. The streets are paved with recognizable quotes from writers such as Miguel Cervantes, etc.
Today, the area has plenty of nightlife activity in bars, taverns, and other venues around Calle de las Huertas and Plaza de Santa Ana.
Today, the area has plenty of nightlife activity in bars, taverns, and other venues around Calle de las Huertas and Plaza de Santa Ana.
Written 9 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ogi0
Sofia, Bulgaria22,768 contributions
May 2021
Once upon a time lived here some of the most famous Spanish writers, now it is a very picturesque neighborhood in the center of Madrid. There are many theaters, restaurants and cafes. The architecture is remarkable and always very lively.
Written 13 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dalton1skiing
London2,698 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Unlike another reviewer I never felt unsafe in this area, nor did I see prostitues, although I didn't go out very late at night. Some great restaurants away from the plazas and most have lunch specials (menu del dia) for 8-10 euros. Our favourite being La Sanabresa on calle amor de dios. There are inscriptions in Spanish along the calle de la huertas. The area has a mix of locals and tourists and was far less tacky than the Plaza Sol area.
Written 15 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniela
Hong Kong, China48 contributions
Aug 2014 • Solo
I think Barrio de las Letras (neighborhood of words?) has to be one of my favorite places in Madrid.
The streets are small, narrow and filled with shops, restaurants, stands, bars, etc.
You get lost turning every corner and be sure to look at the floors being that famous quotes are written in the stone... Thus, the neighborhood name.
There is a lot to see, drink and eat... A feel of old school Europe as the locals ride their bikes or head up to their buildings... Beautiful.
The streets are small, narrow and filled with shops, restaurants, stands, bars, etc.
You get lost turning every corner and be sure to look at the floors being that famous quotes are written in the stone... Thus, the neighborhood name.
There is a lot to see, drink and eat... A feel of old school Europe as the locals ride their bikes or head up to their buildings... Beautiful.
Written 8 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norberto T
Community of Madrid, Spain106 contributions
Feb 2022
Very friendly place to be very close to the famous Plaza San Ana. You are close to the Palacio delos Diputados, within 10 minutes walk of El Prado museum and surrounded by many great places to drink and dining
Written 13 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paula, te sentiste segura caminando por el Barrio de las letras? Soy Española pero hace 15 años que no voy. Nos vamos a quedar en un hotel al lado del Prado.
Gracias
Written 9 March 2016
Por mi experiencia personal, puedo decir que me sentí segura todo el tiempo. Pasé una temporada viviendo cerca y normalmente caminaba en el perímetro de Plaza del Sol, Calle de Carreta, Carretas, Carrera de S. Jerónimo y Paseo del Prado. Nunca tuve ningún susto ni experiencia desagradable.
Written 11 March 2016
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