Puerta del Sol

Along with Playa Mayor, this represents the bigger public squares in Madrid. You'll see the famous clock here too. Outside of all the tourists and typical US shops/fast food joints amongst other things, you can grab the Metro from Sol, which will connect you to the 1, 2, 3 lines as well as Cercanias. The 1 is what will get you to Atocha. While Google tends to overestimate the time it takes to walk from place-to-place in Europe, note that it's only about a 5 minute walk from the Plaza del Callao to Sol at most. Gran Via, Plaza Mayor, and the Palace are really not far. Consider this one of the central most meeting points in Madrid.

This was one of the highlights we wanted to see in Madrid. Unfortunately there was construction going on and the whole block was closed and boarded up. We were able too see the top of it, but not take any significant pictures. Bummer. Hope it looks amazing when they're done.

A lot of construction, very noisy, many dressed costumed frightening characters & beggars that got in our faces. Poor handicapped people were sleeping on cardboard. Saw a woman give a man a coin, it was t enough, he threw it at her & was cursing. Not impressed & we moved out of here as quickly as we could.

Super busy plaza. Kinda like Madrid's time square. Subway stop with access to most of the lines here They have music events and demonstrations A lot of shopping And a lot of pick picketers I hear . I prefer plaza mayor honestly

Central city square and transportation hub (underground), this is a very tourist-heavy location usually brimming with crowds especially in the spring-fall seasons after about 9am until 10pm. Expect street performers, people watchers, peddlers of various trinkets and souvenirs, strolling tourists, locals bustling to and from work. And don't forget the famous statue of a bear and tree, which is a symbol of Madrid. The square is surrounded in every direction by various retail stores and a plethora of restaurants (generally a street or two over). On pleasant evenings grab a bite to eat and sit outside on street-side tables--there are a multitude of options to satisfy your culinary cravings. Underground catch the Metro (subway), or regional train lines that connect to larger regional rail stations like Chamartin or Atocha. Ticket machines are located inside the stations, and are fairly easy to use--for those that don't understand Spanish you can choose to have options displayed in English.

La Puerta del Sol in Madrid is a busy public square smack dab in the center of the city (literally). My hotel was close by so I decided to take a walk around and ended up here. There is a famous statue of a bear and a Madrono tree and also a statue of King Charles III. An old post office building with a dome and bells on top flanks the square, which now serves as a government office of the President. Depending on when you are here you might see street performers or other entertainers out. There are a mix of tourists and locals alike. It is close to shopping so there are some people hanging out here before they go on to their next stops. I snapped a few photos but didn't stay here long since the actual plaza isn't one where you sit at a cafe and people watch like other big plazas. It is cool to see, but I also wouldn't go out of your way to come here.

It would be pretty easy to compare Puerta del Sol with Times Square in New York. They certainly have all the buskers, street hustlers, costumed character scammers and panhandlers a tourist could want. We even saw the local version of desnudas. That said, Puerta is WAY bigger and much cleaner and doesn't appear to have an Applebee's. Locals actually go there. There's a huge metro stop and plenty of nearby shopping and restaurants. If you're in Madrid, you won't be able to miss it - it's the center of the city. And sometimes, there's a pretty good mariachi band playing.

One of the more popular hangouts and meeting spots that I encountered during my time in Madrid. Aside from having a metro station that is a major junction of lines and being located in the key part of town where all the really super restaurants are located. I was here a couple of times, day time and night time. Even at 10:00 PM, La Puerta del Sol is a majorly happening spot. Tourists. Locals. Street performers from jugglers to musicians and even a mariachi band. And yep, a few beggars here and there too. Restaurants near by. Shopping near by. Bars and tapas near by. It's the center of Madrid!

One of my favorite spots in Madrid. Whenever I visit Spain for work, I stay in Tres cantos which is about half an hour ride to the north of Madrid. I take Renfe from my hotel room and get down here at Sol. This is my reference point to go anywhere. In the mood for shopping, go straight in to Calle Carretas, or go left to go in the direction of Gran Via, to go to opera plaza, take Calle Arenal on the right. Hungry for some good Spanish Tapas, go in any direction and you will land in a place that does not disappoint. I visited Sol during different times of the day, morning or night, this place never dies down. After 10pm in the evening, you will see flocks of young people swarming the streets. Chatter and laughter fills up the air. Street performers entertain you with a variety of talents, they never get boring!

Ahh, Puerto de Sol reminds me of lovely Disney! With all the street performers and love kids running around enjoying all the entertainment. Oh, boy! Did I feel like a big kid again when I arrived. This is the most quintessential place to start your trip when visiting Madrid. There's an abundance of tapa bars, cafes, and people watchers. Puerta Del Sol is the central hub in Madrid; you will end up here at least once a day, I promise! You'll find entertainers dressed as SpongeBob, Minnie and Mickey Mouse, and Winnie the Pooh. It's quite a large open area with fountains and some statues. Puerta Del Sol is definitely the place to stay if you want to be in the middle of everything! It's easy walking to all the attractions and nightlife in the city. I came during Christmas and New Years' time and truly fell in LOVE! This place is eventful during the holiday time. There are tons of tourists, but also many locals as well! You can see the combination of local people with the many tourists who visit the place. One of the reasons why this square is so well-known is be because of the "Bear and a madrone tree" statue, the City's symbol. Although I missed it, look out for the 'km. 0' from the kilometers of Spain roads. Madrid is a city that never sleeps. This area is always live and full of action. I truly enjoyed this area and would recommend staying here when visiting Madrid. P. S-Don't forget to pose with the bear!

La Puerta del Sol is pretty much the center of Madrid. There's not much to see in this plaza itself, there's just a bunch of street artists. There's shopping around it and lots of restaurants. Most likely you'll pass by this plaza on your way to other Madrid Destinations.

One of the main square in the old town, very busy place, besides this is one of the hot spot for the tourist, also for the local to meet up. I have been here couple times during my trip in the city. This place at day time is really different than at night. At the day time, this is full of people, the whole place is very much alive. The lovely city bear statue is just right next to the metro station. And the city hall as well. Also Real Casa de Correos looks brilliant. At night, The whole place lighted up, besides the shops, They also got some people selling stuff on stand. Still a lot people, I think it started to get quieter at 23:00. There are many good restaurant, so give it a look around.

This is a square in Madrid. The name means gate of the Sun. This is the center of the city's roads. Here you'll find New Years' festivities. In the 1400s the city was surrounded by walls and this was a gate in the wall. The gate is at the east, so it's called the gate of the Sun. There's a statue of Charles III. There's also a famous Tio Pepe sign. There's also a tree and strawberry tree. This is a symbol of Madrid.

This is a super busy square that is surrounded by a variety of restaurants and shops. This is a great metro stop to get off on if you want to be in the center of the city. There are always street performers here, and it is super decorated during the holidays!

This area is a very busy and full of life! There are plenty of things to do. In la Puerta de Sol, you're bound to find some action. I've only visited this area in the evening and it's been packed everytime! It is surrounded by shops, clubs, restaurants, bars, street performers, and more! This is where the statue of the bear and the strawberry tree lives. Take a picture!

Puerta del Sol is a historical common ground in the heart of the city. It's a great meeting place for groups, as many tours begin at this location. There are fountains to sit at, perhaps while eating a pastry or drinking a coffee from a nearby shop. Beware, there are also characters who will try to get you to snap a photo with them, then hound you for money afterwards. There's also some significant statues in the area, one being oso and the strawberry treee - make sure you rub it for good luck!

Puerta del Sol is named for a longtime medieval gate with the sun carved into it. It's a Madrid hub for transportation, political demonstrations, tourists, and of course pickpockets. It's not a particularly attractive place as it's mostly a cement filled space without benches or trees. A few interesting things include the statue of King Charles III, the Bear Pawing the Berry Bush Statue (Symbol of Madrid), the red-and-white building with the bell tower (Madrid's first Post Office and Franco's old Police HQ), and the otherwise harmonious architecture all around. During our recent (and too short) stay in Madrid, our Hotel was just a couple blocks from La Puerta del Sol. From a practical standpoint, Sol was the closest subway station. From a Community perspective, this place was packed during the evening before Día de la Hispanidad, and with Security to match. Later in our trip, we read about the October 15th Protests (aka Occupy Europe). Crowds also fill the square on New Year's Eve, as Spain's "Big Ben" chimes 12 times. Madrileños eat 1 grape for each ring to bring good luck through each of the next 12 months. Sounds like a plan to me!

Lovely place to stop in and see what's going on because there are street performers and people finding any way they can to make money. We were looking at a map to find our hotel and a guy dressed up as Pocoyo came over with two blow up balloons for my daughters. He asked for 14 euros for the balloons. My husband handed the balloons back to him and left. If you're getting a hotel in the area, make sure not to have it face the street. We told the hotel owner that we don't mind noise, we didn't realize that the noise would be so loud and would go on until 6am! Then at 7am, a trash truck comes by everyday cleaning things up! It's nice to be in the center of action, but maybe we overdid it by being RIGHT in the middle of it all. The good part is that public transportation is very easy to get to and from, around here.

Some general tips for staying in Madrid. In the summer temperatures normally go up to 90s but it is not too humid like other major u.s. east coast cities. It is warm but there is often a breeze in the air which is really nice. If Spain isn't your only destination and you are looking for souvenirs, I would recommend buying souvenirs from Madrid rather than say in Paris or Amsterdam. Postcards and small gifts are cheaper. For instance, a nice key chain can cost up to 4 or 5 euros in Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. But in Madrid you can possibly buy it under 2 euros. For tours, I would recommend New Europe tour. They have free walking tours and pub crawl in every major European cities. I did their free walking tour (tip-based tours) in Parid and Madrid. I went to Versallies with them in Paris. I did pub crawl (4 bars one club, 12 euros total. At one bar you can get unlimited beer for 45 minutes, free shots at two bars and free entry to the club) with them in Madrid. Their tour normally leaves on time so plan well so you get to the meeting point on time.

In Madrid, shopping should be done here if you are seeking cheap discounted clothes. Most of the metro lines will get you here. Don't get overwhelmed when you get off. Look for the street which is opposite of Calle Carmen. If you want to go and shop at El Corte Ingles, that's on Carmen. If you want to look for Spanish brand store, get yourself onto Calle de Carreta street, this is where you can find Lefties, Stradivarius, Pul & Bear, etc. Obviously Zara is on the same street too. July things are always on sale, it's dirt cheap. The issue i have with the shops is that it's always mobbed. Even some of the French brands that I often shop at in France are mobbed. And then there is a style issue. I'm a size petite 4, and I can barely fit anything in the store, it's designed for size 0 women. And for men clothing, it's more of a tropical clothing scene, think linen and short sleeves. Hard to get something for your loved ones in San Francisco where the chance of wearing linen is next to none. For high end clothing, head to Chueca. For more stylish shops, head to Malaga or Barcelona, I think you get more international style clothing than Madrid. It's a scene though, but at 2.99 Euro for a dress that can be only worn by a 8 year old in America, it's hardly worth it. Thankfully I did most of my shopping in Berlin, Barcelona and Malaga, this trip was more window shopping than actually buying things, but hey if you are a size 0, go crazy!

Not to be confused with Plaza Mayor this is a pretty place. The first day I walked through here at sunrise and it was gorgeous. The famous bear statue is in this location make sure to take a picture. Not much else to do besides walk around and look at all the cool architecture here though. I do like this place it reminded me of Time Square in NY. It is a really clean place that the city cleans daily. It even has a metro in it.

Le Puerta del sol is named after the city's long gone east gate, It is now the center of activity. It seems day or night ( and I have had some late nights in Madrid) the plaza is full of people. The plaza is largly flat on one side with a municipal building with a clock on one side (focus of Madrid's New Year celebration) and tourist shops and a large curved other side lined with Restraints, and stores like El Corte Ingles (Spain's major department store chain) Apple Computer Store and tourist stores in fact a pedestrian zone filled with hotels, restraints and shopping goes all the way back to Gran Via. The Square also has several sights to see, in front of the municipal building is a plaque Kilometer 0 from which the six main Spanish roads that start here are mesured and is often referred to as the center of Spain. There are Two large fountains. From Kilometer Zero off to your right is a statue of a Bear eating a tree (Madrids symbol). Almost straight ahead is a statue of King Carlos III on his house behind him on top of a hotel is the new location for the neon Teo Pepe sign (he use to live on top of the building where Apple is now), There are other statues that are escaping me at the moment. Finally there are entrances to the underground metro station here. And then there are the people, tourists taking pictures and getting there pictures taken, locals standing around chatting and hurrying through, Street performers breathing fire and other tricks, Living statues hoping for a donation, Older women trying to give away rosemary they picked in area parks ('Its free" yeah right) and pickpockets and picnickers everyone else,,,you have to see it for yourself.

I went there on Friday night and it was crazy busy. There were street vendors and so many street performers, it was fun to see them but also they were gathering crowd around them and making it harder to walk. There are so many stores to see and lots of restaurants to choose from. If you like window shopping, this is the place for you.

This must be the heart of Madrid. Is it the times square of Madrid? Not really because there are no flashing big giant screens. However, this is where the entertainers and street artists perform. This place is nonstop even at 3 AM. Young, old, tourists and locals always take a stroll through this lovely plaza and neighborhood whilst walking home or to your hotel. It's dirty, it's full of interesting people and life and it's really what makes it cool. There are all types of people here to watch. Whether you're into people watching or you are just having fun, this is your place if you are in Madrid. If you're staying at a hotel, stay within walking distance of this wonderful area. It is a good hub and it's fun to visit while coming in and out of your hotel.

This is the very center of Madrid! I recommend coming here and embracing the fact that it will be busy - it's a place with a lot of vibrancy and things going on. Be sure to keep your jacket pockets zipped up though, and keep a hand on your purse. The statue of the bear is obviously a Madrid icon, and you'll most likely have difficulty getting a shot without people in it. There is much more to Sol than that, though. Its quite a large area, and there are shopping streets (Calle de Arenal) all around, with plenty of shopping and people watching to be done. Worth a visit!

I asked my hotel receptionist if there was only one place we could see, what she would recommend and she suggested this spot and I can see why! It's bustling and has so much sky in the middle of this huge city! So this square has a monument from which either all roads in Spain were measured or its the center of Spain (I'm not sure which Or if both things are true - so take this as a caveat - as I couldn't quite understand the receptionist accent!) There's also a fountain and a statue in the square but the coolest other statue here is that of a bear grabbing some fruit from a tree, and this statue is placed slightly off center. In fact on my 1st visit to the square, I totally missed it in the evening, but saw it the next morning - it's located close to the Apple Store and is very adorable, so would recommend it for a photo opp. The monument for the 0 km also is easy to spot - just look for a crowd of people in front of this massive gothic building and all of them will be looking down. I tried two times to take a pic here and it's hard - lots of tourists and local's alike, but just preserver, I guess! Really liked walking around - it was a very vibrant and lovely square and I also love the name! Yelp Review 80/ 2017

Very busy square. I would call it the beating heart of Madrid. This square connects almost all the main attractions of Madrid- Plaza Mayor, Callao, Gran Via. The square itself is completely busy from early morning until late night. While I was in Madrid I was staying in a hotel just at the square and I must say this is the best location to stay at. Many great shops and restaurants in a 5-10 minute walk from Puerta del Sol and many pedestrian streets without any cars driving. On the east end of the square there is the famous symbol of Madrid, the statue of bear holding a strawberry tree. While in Madrid it is impossible to miss on that location.

My cousin and I stayed near La Puerta del Sol. The plaza itself isn't much to look at but it's the hub of the city where you can find El Corte Ingles, a metro station, the police station, street performers, street walkers, notable statues like el oso y el madrono (bear & berry bush) which is the symbol of Madrid, cafes, ice cream, and a movie theater. Everything you'd want to see or visit is walkable from this plaza. That's why we felt that our metro cards might have been a waste of money. However, it rained the first 2 days we were in Madrid so taking the metro and buses were better than walking in the rain. It was evident also that the locals didn't want to be out walking in the rain either because the plaza was mostly deserted. On a clear day, the plaza is packed with people, locals and tourists alike. Apparently the street performers congregate here like they do in Hollywood. Our tour guide noted that SpongeBob got in a fight with Dora the Explorer over some tips. Beware of pickpockets because they like to frequent areas with the most tourists. The plaza is also home to many demonstrations. They had Occupy Madrid here and they had to kick the demonstrators out eventually due to the unsanitary conditions. You could tell there was a heavy police presence since they are visible just south to the plaza. I wasn't sure if the police were just stationed there or if they took their breaks there seeing as they were a constant presence. Not a bad thing though. Even if you don't visit La Puerta del Sol, you'll eventually cross its path. If you do, take a look around because you're in the heart of Madrid.

Extremely crowded shopping area in Madrid, Spain, but it's the home of many top notch brand stores, has people selling goods on the streets, buskers and other street performers. Here is where you can find the Royal Madrid Store (if you are a soccer fan), several El Corte Ingles department stores, a soivenier-ish street to purchase all your magnets, the Apple store and youll also see a couple men walk around with bags they carry to lay on the streets as sell fake glasses, bags, etc. COME HERE TO SHOP and people watch

Bowing to no one, Tio Pepe dressed in colorful neon, towers over King Carlos III on horseback and a 30-foot tall portrait of newly-crowned King Felipe VI. In his wide-brimmed red hat, red bolero jacket and flamenco guitar, Tio Pepe is a rooftop advertisement sign for Andalucian sherry positioned high above the semi-circular Puerta del Sol. Puerta del Sol ("Gateway of the Sun") is the location of the original eastern entrance to Madrid, and once included a castle and a gatehouse. Today, it is an eclectic and energetic plaza considered the nucleus of Madrid's central district. We paid an obligatory visit to Madrid's most famous symbol, El Oso y El Madroño, a bronze statue of a bear stretching for the fruit of a strawberry tree. Then, we located Kilometer Zero (Km. 0), a sidewalk section denoting the origin of Spain's six national motorways. Finally, we looked up to the baroque Casa de Correos clock tower whose celebrated bells toll the 12 grapes of midnight every New Year's Eve. Unfortunately, this popular meeting place is teeming with street entertainers, levitation tricksters, and African knock-off hustlers. Disenchanted, we quickly escaped Puerta del Sol, with a final salute to Tio Pepe, that irreverent bottle of naughty Spanish white wine.

As regular readers of my reviews will know, I traveled to Madrid in July 2014 and I am reviewing a few places I have never got round to reviewing, and now it is time for the heart of Madrid (Why I have never reviewed Sol yet, I don't know but it is pretty cool and needs to be reviewed!) Sol is the city centre of the spanish capital and is the one of the most well known and most visited places in Madrid too. La Puerta del Sol, apparently means Gate of the sun (don't hold me to that, french is my 2nd language not spanish!) Sol is quite a big area, it has a good amount of shops and a metro station simply called "Vodafone Sol" (well it was when I visited) and it also has a few hotels as well. It is quite a nice place, although not the most modern of places, it is a quite cool place to visit and a must when visiting the fine, historic city of Madrid They is even a small arndale, with a Starbucks in, I like this even though it is quite confusing and it adds something to a cool area, which may be different to places like London and New York, but still near enough has everything. If I recall, they is also quite a cool tube station with a lift near enough in the middle of nowhere and it takes you underground, ready to board the metro. The rating for Sol is tricky, although it is quite a cool place, it still doesn't live up to what you would expect from a capital like Madrid, especially compared to the likes of New York City ( I know it isn't the capital of the USA) and London. Parts are quite confusing for new coming tourists but it still is near enough the heart of Madrid, with most of the things being here which are hip and cool (Although Celicioso in the Grand Via gives it a run for its' money being the only place I have given 5 stars too) I have decided on 3 stars because in some parts it is quite old fashioned and although it is a nice place, it doesn't strike me as the heart of a capital city, as honestly it is not like being in modern 2015 London, in some parts it is like London in the early 1960's.

wanna party like it's 2099??? this is where it's at! "la puerta del sol" or "the gate of the sun" is where street performers, vendors selling knock off purses, teenagers, senior citizens, locals and tourists alike, congregate. it's like new york city's times square, where everyone and everything come together and give off an infectious energy! this is also the site of the famous symbol which is shown on the coat of arms of madrid, a statue of a bear eating from a strawberry tree. it's quite big and also a great place to take a memorable photo in madrid. in the middle of the plaza is a statue of king carlos iii, sitting atop a horse. another great spot for a photo that will allow you to remember madrid. even the entrance to the metro has a special covering for the entrance, something which actually reminds me of the famous opera house in sydney, australia! this metro station is very busy at all hours of the day, so prepare to spend a few extra seconds getting into and out of this station. i loved visiting this landmark and would put this very high on the must see list (by day and by night) in madrid!

The geographical and social center of Madrid. In this big square, heart of the city, you can feel the movement of its inhabitants. It's like a thermometer. You can measure the status of Spanish society, because the square "Puerta del Sol" is the favorite for large gatherings, celebrations or demonstrations place. It is said all roads lead to Rome, but in Spain, all roads lead to Puerta del Sol. And is that for centuries, the radial roads that leave from the center of the country to other cities, start from here. Just outside the door of the "Palacio de Correos", the neoclassical building that watches the passersby, there is a plaque with the so-called zero kilometer of these roads. Puerta del Sol is also the center of the historic city of Madrid, and in every corner has a story or a legend. Today this big square is full of great shops such as Apple Store, Topshop or El Corte Ingles department stores as well as some fast food restaurants. But undoubtedly the most important moment of celebration for this square is the New Year's eve when thousands of people meet here to listen to the chiming clock of the Palace of Post and eat traditional twelve grapes of luck. In the surroundings of Puerta del Sol there are several pedestrian and shopping streets, as well as some of the most important monuments of Madrid. Also Puerta del Sol is a very important point of transportation, with many bus stops, several subway lines and train station.

A very busy part of Madrid Spain where there is a lot of people and entertainment. You will see people dressed as statues and live magic, dancing, etc. In the evenings it gets very crowded but it is worth it to walk around. Just make sure to watch your stuff!!

We learned that La Puerta del Sol isn't as big as it sounds. But we were told to head that direction since that's where all the food was. Just like any other major tourist landmark, we avoided eating inside the plaza. We also learned rather quickly that Museo de Jamon is not a museum. It's the Starbucks of Madrid, except yummier. There's one at every street corner.

We spent a lot of time in Puerta del Sol and the surrounding areas. Around there we were able to access El Corte Ingles for shopping which was a lot of fun as well. Puerta del Sol gets packed at night with a lot of younger people and some promoting clubs and bars. It gets a bit too packed for my liking in the afternoon but the energy in the plaza is exciting!

This is just a big meeting place for everyone. At night, this place gets packed with all the young kids, teens, and adults. Some of them are just here to stand around. What do you expect? It's just a plaza. There is a few cool things here though like the oso y madrono statue or the statue of King Felipe Vi. There is another thing here too.. something to do with longitude and lattitude but I forgot what. And I didn't look for it. :) Lots of public transportation end up here too so that is good.

This plaza is known to be the biggest tourist trap in the city. It's full of vendors, street performers, shops, and most importantly TOURISTS. Being that it is the central of Madrid, this is where everyone tends to start their day because all the sights are no more than a 10-15 minute walk in any direction. If you plan on mapping out your itinerary, this is a perfect reference point on your map. It's easy to navigate and there's always someone you can ask for directions. As for the plaza itself, nothing really caught my attention other than the fountain in the center.

my hotel is placed in walking direction to this place. I never took a cab in 3 full days. I'm not sure when people leave this area, it is an amazing 24/7 wonderland of chaos. It reminded me of Times Square-Union Square-Soho all at the heights at the same time. Any time the people were in droves. As long as you know where to get to from here, youre fine to just get here. This place was my starting point and ending point. LOVE MADRID

The centre of Madrid, don't miss it! But please please please be careful of the pickpockets which are a lot and go for the tourists like lions on a limpy gazelle.

The yelpers are right. La Puerta del Sol is not much to look at it. It's known as the heart of Madrid with a lot of tourist attractions near by such as the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, etc. Someone told me this was Madrid's Time Square similar to NEW YORK...wrong wrong wrong. There is the Sol metro station and notable statues. There are a lot of people walking around, some vendors, stores, and places to grab tapas. I would suggest getting a hotel in this area if you don't want to take their public transportation, because a lot of attractions are walking distance.

Extremely crowded square in the night, deserted marvel in the morning. This is definitely the heart of Madrid, with a metro station connecting to the rest of the city, street performers, and tones and tones of people. Definitely something you have to check out if you visit Madrid.

This plaza is a melting pot of activity. There is so much happening, so much to look at and so many people. This is the type of city shot you'd see on a postcard in the city. There is a wonderful fountain and statue which makes for an excellent photo when paired together. Then of course there's that symbol of Madrid! The Bear with the Tree. A great photo opportunity. When I visited we were lucky enough to have the presence of a large golden Christmas tree as well! Across the road from the statue of the horse is the spot where all the highways in Spain meet, pretty cool to stand on and be truly standing on the heart of Spain! It's also a great meeting spot if you get lost as many of the main shopping streets lead straight to it!

probably one of most popular squares in Madrid - its filled with restaurants and has a huge apple store (for dieing iPhones) and restaurants but watch out for pickpockets - there are plenty

Super central plaza in Spain, it really seems to be on the way to everywhere I wanted to go. There's a statue of a bear with a strawberry tree (I think the symbol of Madrid, someone correct me here?), a metro station, a delicious Gelato shop, El Corte Ingles, and what I liked most about it, has historically been a meeting place, which it still is, because there were several youth manifestations while we were there (the plaza was even closed one day), not that I was happy about the economic crisis, but I really loved seeing people showing their dissatisfaction in a meaningful, peaceful way. Go Spain!

This place is so lively once evening starts until late late night. It reminds me of San Francisco's embarcadero because of the street performers. There are also a bunch of guys who walk around selling beer all night over there.

La Puerta del Sol is full of energy and hustle and bustle. Yes, there are tons of people walking around...tourists and locals. There are also street performers too. Someone once told me that this is where you have to watch your belongings n(also Las Ramblas), especially in a crowded area. Anyways, you should be watching your stuff, either way. You can find your typical souvenirs on this street. This is a great central point on the map.We didn't stay near here, we walked from our hotel. Certain things in Madrid are quite far, so this is where the Metro comes in handy...or you don't want to walk in the hot sun too!

This is a wonderful location in Madrid. Lots of local color here

Beautiful square in the middle of the old town, from where you can reach most of the touristic places in the city: the Royal Palace, the Opera house, the Sabatini garden (or Campo del Moro), Plaza Mayor, San Miguel market, Gran Vía and Alcalá streets, Canalejas square, Huertas neighborhood (full of bars and restaurants with terraces to eat tapas and drink beer, wine, mojitos, sangría etc..), etc... This is a place to admire and to walk through, but there are not great buildings to visit by themselves.

Get your, "Sol Train" party on at the Plaza Del Sol and maybe pick pocketed too. Lol. (Sidenote- we witnessed one at the outdoor flea market. Be careful of this in Madrid.) This is really not a destination or a tourist attraction just a street plaza. Kind of like the entrance gate to all the fun. I am writing a review because it was the first thing that greeted us when we got off the train. The place has a lot of positive energy. When you get off the train and walk down the street on the way to the palace, the shops, the Plaza Mayor you can boogie your way there accompanied by strolling musicians and tons of wacky, fun, and not so fun fellow human beings. At the "Sol" they have some live entertainment and music, shops, banks etc. But they have that in other places too. I think I liked it because it was nice to be greeted with the musicians, a huge crowd of laughing, happy, singing and dancing folks just mingling around without a care in the world, as my first impression of Madrid. We did not go at night but I can imagine it to be a big fiesta there with all the bars and restaurants in the area. Lots of cool shops there. I got a pretty shawl and some cool jewelery nearby.