Madrid Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol	The heart of the city
	The Puerta del Sol is the heart of the city. This plaza is officially the centre of the nation: a stone slab in the pavement outside the Casa de Correos on the south side marks kilometre zero, from where Spain's six national roads begin. Around Puerta del Sol, there are a large number of shops and interesting places to visit.
GOOGLE MAPS Puerta del Sol Plaza de Opera METRO IN THE AREA Sol (L1, L2 and L3) / Opera (L2, L5 and R)

The Puerta del Sol is the heart of the city. This plaza is officially the centre of the nation: a stone slab in the pavement outside the Casa de Correos on the south side marks kilometre zero, from where Spain's six national roads begin. Around Puerta del Sol, there are a large number of shops and interesting places to visit. An statue of a bear pawing a madroño bush lies on the north side; this is both the emblem of the city and a favourite meeting place. Immediately north of Sol, calle Preciados and calle del Carmen head towards the Gran Vía; both are pedestrianized and constitute the most popular shopping area in Madrid.

From Puerta del Sol, towards the east runs the Calle de Alcalá. Alcalá continues to the roundabout Plaza de Cibeles, with the statue of the goddess Cibeles on her chariot ridden by lions, a symbol of the city of Madrid. Here, is Alcalá's intersection with Madrid's grand north-south axis called Paseo de Recoletos & Paseo de la Castellana to the north and Paseo del Prado to the south.

Towards the west run calle Mayor and calle Arenal. Calle Mayor takes you to the Plaza Mayor and to the Plaza de la Villa -Madrid's City Hall-. The Plaza Mayor is to the left as you walk along Mayor. In and around the plaza, you'll also find lots of bars and restaurants where you can try traditional dishes. Calle del Arenal, is a pedestrians walkway that ends at Plaza de Isabel II, right in front of the Teatro Real (Madrid Opera House) -map with location-. Along the street, you'll find Calle de Bordadores on your left, and behind it, the Plazuela de San Ginés and the famous Chocolatería de San Ginés, open 'til the wee hours of the night for hot chocolate & churros, a Madrid tradition. Calle de Bordadores is called Calle de San Martín on the other side of Arenal. Head up San Martín and you'll arrive at a pretty plaza holding the 16th century Real Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, founded by Pricess Juana, daughter of emperor Charles V (Carlos I of Spain), who is buried there. The interior holds 17th century Belgian tapestries. Continue north from Descalzas and you'll hit Plaza de Callao & Gran Vía.

Links of interest

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