If you’ve ever been curious about the origins of some of the Madrid neighborhood names then this is for you. This metropolis of 3.4 million inhabitants boasts 21 districts, and 131 different neighborhoods, all with a distinct vibe and name. However, not many people, not even the locals, know the history behind the names, so here are 10 of the best to get you started.
10 Madrid Neighborhood Names explained
Los Austrias
Officially called El Madrid de los Austrias, this centrally located neighborhood (barrio) is the oldest neighborhood in the Spanish capital. So, it is fitting that we need to give a swift Spanish history lesson here.
Isabel and Ferdinand, also known as the Catholic Monarchs, gave birth to Charles V. He would later go on to become Holy Roman Emperor and forge a union with the powerful Habsburg family in Vienna. Charles V’s son, Philip II became King of Spain in 1556, and was instrumental in the formation and growth of Madrid, making it the capital of Spain. Thus, because of the family’s Austrian connection, the first neighborhood was known as Los Austrias.
Today some of the iconic sites of Los Austrias include: Plaza Mayor, Mercado de San Miguel, Teatro Real, The Royal Palace, and Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena.
Insider tip: Want to get to know Los Austrias better? Step into the heart of Spanish royalty on our Royal Madrid: Skip-the-Line Palace Tour with Gardens. Our expert guides will reveal hidden ruins, historic squares, and the grandeur of the palace itself. Finishing in the serene Sabatini Gardens, why not join us for an unforgettable journey through Madrid’s oldest neighborhood!
Puerta de Sol
The large central square known as “Sol” is the hub or central point of the city. In fact, Puerta de Sol began life in the 15th century as a gate to the city, hence the name “puerta,” which translates as gate or door. The name “sol,” or sun, comes from the fact that there was an image of the sun on the gate to denote that it was facing east, where the sun rises.
Nowadays, Puerta de Sol plaza is a hive of tourist activity that many locals try to avoid. But as a visitor, you have to visit at least once, like Times Square in New York or Piazza San Marco in Venice.
Fun fact: This is also where you will find Kilometre Zero. There is a bronze medallion marker inlaid in the pavement which marks the location of 0km, the starting point of all national roads. This not only symbolizes the heart of the country’s road network but has also become a must-see spot for visitors who want a photo at “the heart of Spain.”
La Latina
Smack in the center of Madrid, La Latina takes its name from Beatriz Galindo. She was a writer and humanist and was the tutor of Queen Isabel, the Catholic Queen, and her children. Because Galindo was so impressively skilled in speaking, writing, and teaching the Latin language, she earned the nickname, “La Latina.”
The neighborhood is a tangle of narrow, curving cobblestone streets, many of which spill out into little plazas. While wandering around La Latina, pay close attention to the street and square names. These got their names based on the merchants who stayed here while they sold their goods at the market. For example: Plaza de la Paja (Straw Square) and Plaza de la Cebada (Barley Square) are just two examples.
Fun fact: Every Sunday morning, from 10am until around 3pm, La Latina is the home of El Rastro, one of the largest open-air flea markets in the world. It has hundreds of stalls selling an incomparable variety of new and used, modern and vintage, or artisan and antique objects.
Barrio de las Letras
As the name suggests, Barrio de las Letras is known for its literary inhabitants who spent time here during the 16th and 17th centuries. This was the Golden Age of Spanish writing and literature due to master wordsmiths such as Cerventes, Góngora, Lope de Vega, Triso de Molina, and Quevedo.
However, while the neighborhood itself is nearly 5 centuries old, a lot of the buildings you see here today are from the 19th and 20th centuries. The ambient, narrow streets of Las Letras are flanked by numerous restaurants and bars and are a great place to relax and soak up the city atmosphere.
Insider tip: Want to get to know the Literary Quarter up close and personal? Join us on our Madrid Tapas & Wine Tour . We’ll enjoy bites and drinks from quirky taverns to historic spots turned chic eateries. Come with us for an evening that will leave you savoring every moment of your stay in Madrid.
Salamanca
This grid-like neighborhood north of the center was developed in the second half of the 19th century. This was when the city began to expand, thanks, in part, to Queen Isabella II.
This Madrid neighborhood name comes from the designer José de Salamanca y Mayol, the Marquis of Salamanca. His vision was a neighborhood inhabited by the city’s political and financial elite. He got his wish. Today the neighborhood of Salamanca is one of the poshest areas of the city. 5 star hotels, and premium restaurants, cafes, and upscale shops are frequented by “pijos,” (the Spanish word to describe preppy or posh people).
Malasaña
North of Gran Via and east of Plaza de España, Malasaña is the place to be, with hip bars, cafes and intriguing street art. It is the cradle of the movida madrileña, the artistic counterculture movement that took place in the late 1970s and into the ‘80s in the wake of the death of dictator Francisco Franco.
The name Malasaña, literally translated as “Bad Fury,” is actually derived from Manuela Malasaña. She was a heroine and victim of the May 2, 1802 massacre that took place here, when the Madrileños rose up to fight the occupying French troops under Napoleon.
Lavapiés
Lava = Wash + Piés = Feet: Washfeet. Lavapiés might be the most curious neighborhood name in all of Madrid. No one is actually sure how the neighborhood began being called Lavapiés. However, many attribute the moniker to the fountain in the neighborhood’s main square, Plaza de Lavapiés.
These days Lavapiés is well-known for its diverse immigrant community and there are restaurants that represent a wide spectrum of cultures. The area is also known for its hip cafes and bars, counter-culture book shops, clothes stores and graffiti.
Chueca
Perhaps the least interesting thing about Chueca is the origin of its name. The plaza of this barrio took its name from Federico Chueca. He was a composer of Zarzuela, a genre of music that combines opera and a lot of drama.
Chueca was once a degraded no-go zone for non-locals. But its fortunes began to change in the 1970s. And a decade later in the ‘80s, the neighborhood became home to many people from the LGBTQ community. Stroll around this uber-trendy area today and you’ll see an intriguing mix of people and demographics, all happily in a co-existence together.
Vallecas
Historians can’t agree on exactly where the name originates from. The Valle de Cas, or Vallecas, first appeared in writing in 1202. It refers to an oak forest just outside of Madrid, likely the place where the neighborhood now sits. There was a villa here, which is why the neighborhood is officially called Villa de Vallecas.
But, is Vallecas spelled “Vallecas” or “Vallekas”? It depends on who you ask. Indeed, during the Franco dictatorship, the neighborhood was a center of resistance. Spelling the name of the neighborhood with “k” instead of a “c” is a political act, a transgressive statement about the neighborhood’s stance on politics.
Today, the diverse neighborhood southeast of the center of Madrid is known for its working-class denizens, its ethnic diversity, and its counter-culture vibe. The bustling area is filled with no-frills but fun bars, including a few heavy metal-themed bars.
Prosperidad
In 1625, Philip IV ordered a new wall to be built around Madrid. And just over 200 years later, the city was expanding so quickly that the old walls could no longer contain it. And so, on July 19, 1860, the city officially decided to take down the walls and let the city spread far and wide.
That’s when a man named Prospero Soynard comes into play. In 1862, Soynard acquired some land north of the city, so he could divide it up and sell it. On December 14, 1862 bricklayer Pedro Prado and carpenter Gregorio Mayorga bought two plots of land from Prospero Soynard. The two men quickly began constructing houses in the area that would be called Prosperidad.
Today the neighborhood, located about three miles northeast of Puerta del Sol in the center of Madrid, is a thriving residential neighborhood and is part of the larger Chamartin District.
FAQ´S – Madrid neighborhood names
When was Madrid founded?
Madrid’s origins date back to the 9th century, when the Moors established a fortress on the banks of the Manzanares River. This small settlement, known as Mayrit (or Magerit), eventually grew into the thriving capital city we know today.
When did Madrid become the capital of Spain?
Madrid officially became Spain’s capital in 1561, when King Philip II moved his court there from Toledo. The decision was largely strategic, Madrid’s central location made it the perfect administrative and political hub for ruling the entire country.
What’s the story behind the bear and strawberry tree?
According to legend, the bear represents the strength and resilience of Madrid’s people. The strawberry tree (madroño) symbolizes the richness of the land that once surrounded the city. The pairing became Madrid’s official emblem in the 13th century. It can still be seen today in the statue at Puerta del Sol, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
What is the longest of the Madrid neighborhood names?
The longest neighborhood name in Madrid is “Casco Histórico de Vicálvaro”, which translates to “Historic Centre of Vicálvaro.” This neighborhood is part of the Vicálvaro district and encompasses the original village that was incorporated into Madrid. It is the largest neighborhood within the district and has a rich history dating back to the 19th century
If this has given you a taste for Madrid, and the different barrios we mention above then join one of our expert local guides to learn even more about this historic capital city. Stroll through Madrid’s iconic streets, uncover its vibrant history, and savor its rich culture on our Madrid in a Day Tour. From royal palaces to hidden gems, let our expert guides bring the city to life.