Latina neighborhood
The latina neighborhood is one of the best aera in the capital and offers a multitude of things to do and see. What to do in Madrid’s Latina neighborhood ?
- Visit the historic area
- Visit Royal Basilica of San Francisco el Grande
- Eating tapas
- Visit the Rastro Market
- See the Segovia Viaduct
- Visit the Cebada market
- Eating at the Sobrino de Botin
- Shopping
When the sunny days come, the people of Madrid usually go out in the Latina neighborhood to make the most of the good weather.
If you’re planning to visit Madrid you’ll enjoy relaxing over a drink in this bohemian and historic part of the city.
If you are going to go on vacation in Madrid and if you are wondering what to do in Madrid then this article is for you.
In the following paragraphs you will find the top 10 things to do and see in the Latina neighborhood.
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Table of Contents
The historic area of the Latina neighborhood
One of the first things to do when coming to Madrid is to visit the historic centre of the city on the edge of the Latina district.
You will find an article entirely dedicated to this in our blog where we detail in detail the monuments to see and things to do in the historic centre of the city.
On the border of Latina neighborhood you will find part of the historic centre of the city, which will allow you to visit the most important part of Madrid while enjoying the atmosphere of the Latina aera.
The main monuments located in the historic centre of Madrid near the Latina quarter are the following:
The Madrid Opera House, a magnificent building that can be visited, the rear part of the opera house has a large terrace overlooking the Plaza de l’Oriente and the Royal Palace.
A unique point of view that will ensure you one of the most beautiful pictures of your stay.
The Royal Palace of Madrid can be visited all year round. For more information about visiting the Royal Palace do not hesitate to contact us directly.
The Almudena Cathedral, located in front of the Royal Palace of Madrid. Open all year round we recommend you to visit it.
Once the area of the royal palace is visited our itinerary will take you directly to the heart of the Latina district with two of the most beautiful churches of the Latina.
Latina neighborhood – things to do in Madrid
Visit the churches of the Latina neighborhood
In the Latina district you will find two important monuments in the history of Madrid; the Basilica of San Francisco El Grande and the Church of San Andrés.
These two holy places are not very well known by the big tourist groups, which will give you the opportunity to visit them without waiting and in a calm atmosphere.
Opposite the church of San Andrés is the museum of San Isidro, the patron saint of Madrid.
This museum traces the life of Madrid in the time of San Isidro. It is interesting to note that there is a second museum on the history of Madrid, this one is located in the Malasaña district, it tells the modern history of the city of Madrid during the Napoleonic era. This is the Museum of History of Madrid.
San Francisco Basilica
Latina neighborhood – things to visit Madrid
Continuing your visit to the Royal Palace of Madrid and the Almudena Cathedral, you can discover this magnificent 18th century basilica which is located in the Latina neighborhood, once you have crossed the Segovia viaduct it will be on your right.
The Basilica of San Francisco in neo-classical style has the largest dome in Spain and the fourth largest in Europe.
The main attraction of this basilica is the huge frescoes by Goya and Zurbarán.
Calle San Buenaventura, 1, 28005 Madrid, Spain.
The basilica is located not far from the royal palace. All you have to do is cross the Segovia Viaduct.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10:30 to 12:30 and from 16 to 18:00. Saturday from 10.30 to 12.30 and from 16 to 18 hours (if no religious act is official).
July, August and September: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 to 12:30 and from 17 to 19 hours.
San Andrés Church
Peaceful church in the center of the Latina neighborhood you will be pleasantly surprised during his visit.
Take advantage of your afternoon at La Latina to visit it after having tasted good tapas cava Baja.
Built in the 1600s (the oldest church in the city of Madrid) this church will transport you back in time.
With its magnificent dome, stained glass windows and gold leaf, its decoration will not leave you indifferent.
Once the visit is over (20 min) enjoy a coffee in the San Andres square.
Address: Plaza de San Andres, 1, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Telephone: +34 913 65 48 71
The museum of san isidro in the Latina neighborhood
In front of the cathedral you will find the San Isidro Museum, the patron saint of Madrid.
The San Isidro Museum will take you on a journey through the history of Madrid, from prehistory to the establishment of the court.
The museum’s permanent exhibition displays a total of 153 pieces.
Eating tapas cava baja
Latina neighborhood- cava baja Madrid
If you visit Madrid you must absolutely taste the Spanish tapas!
You will find a multitude of tapas bars in the city. If you would like to spend your day in the Latina neighborhood or just enjoy some tapas then we recommend the cava Baja.
In this street you will find tapas bars offering authentic and high quality cuisine. Suitable for every budget you will find the restaurant that suits you best in this famous street of Madrid.
Our tapas bar suggestions:
Casa Lucas (very popular wine bar in Madrid)
Taberna Txakolina (to eat Basque tapas)
Going to the rastro market in the latina neighborhood
The Rastro market, located in the district of La Latina is THE market where you can go shopping at the weekend. Much appreciated by Madrid’s inhabitants and tourists from all over the world, this market will bring out the negotiator in you!
Latina neighborhood- EL Rastro
Sunday shopping in the Latina neighborhood
Latina neighborhood- EL Rastro
The Rastro market is open at weekends and on public holidays, but it is mainly on Sundays that the best deals are made.
You will find different areas, a main street with new products, an area of antique shop more interesting for hunting, an area full of sellers of frames and paintings, an area where you will find some thrift shops and finally a more classic area like a garage sale, antique shop.
We advise you to come at 9:30 am / 10:00 am to take advantage of the best offers.
The market is quickly crowded around 12.00 am and it is more difficult to make good deals.
You will also find shops that sell fripe open during the week in the Latina neighborhood, cheaper and less touristic than the Malasana district, we advise you to go there during the week when the district is quiet.
Eating churros in the latina neighborhood
Eating churros in Madrid is an absolute must.
You have different very famous restaurants that offer very good churros like St Gines or Valor located in the historic center of the city.
A very little known address for tourists and adored by the locals is the Rastro, it is the Churrería Santa Ana opened in 1895, Calle de Santa Ana, 7, 28005 Madrid, Spain.
Here you can enjoy the best churros in the city and the hot chocolate will be of great use especially in winter. Churros and chocolate are sold for take away and can be eaten on the street.
Latina neighborhood – what to do in Madrid – churros
See the Segovia Viaduct
One of the most interesting architectural elements in the Latina neighborhood is the Segovia viaduct.
This viaduct is full of history and connects the area of the royal palace with the latina neighborhood. Take advantage of the visit to the royal palace to see this magnificent construction.
The Segovia Viaduct is famous for its architecture but also for its appearance in various films by director Pedro Almodovar.
We advise you to take from Segovia street, the sunset is magnificent.
Take a mercado tour of Cebada
Built in 1875 the structure of this market is based on the Halles de Paris. The mercado de la cebada close to the Rastro market is one of the central points of the city and many people from Madrid come to shop in this market.
There you will find fresh products from all over Spain, ideal for bringing back good products. You can also find tapas bars in the surrounding area.
You will find this market near the subway “La latina“.
Plaza de la Cebada, 15, Madrid, Spain
Latina neighborhood
See the Toledo Gate in the latina neighborhood
Madrid being in the past protected by a great wall forming a citadel, there are still many vestiges of this wall and in particular large arches.
Almost every quarter of the historic centre of Madrid has its gate. The latina neighborhood has the Toledo Gate (almost 20 metres high and made up of 3 arches) currently used as a roundabout, a true vestige of Madrid’s history.
We recommend you take a tour to see the size of this gate.
Eating in the oldest restaurant in the world
One of the most famous attractions at foodies is the restaurant Sobrino de Botin. It is the oldest restaurant in the world, you will discover a unique place with a low ceiling on 4 floors in the basement.
Very popular with tourists and gourmets, we advise you to book via their website to avoid queues and wait almost 40 minutes to eat.
An authentic place that we recommend to lovers of gastronomy and unique places.
Calle de Cuchilleros, 17, 28005 Madrid
Latina neighborhood
Shopping
Latina neighborhood is not very well known for shopping, but the narrow streets of the Rastro offer some nice surprises and you will find many shops where you can buy frippies at up to half the price of those in the Malasana district.
Going out for a drink in the latina neighborhood
The latina neighborhood is famous for its evenings, you will find a different atmosphere from the district of malasana.
Less hipster, you will not find a club as trendy as in malasana but small bars that close late.
If you like the bohemian atmosphere and rudimentary bars then this area is for you.
You will find your happiness near the tirso de molina metro station, a real meeting place for Madrid’s locals. The Cebada market area is also a very good place to find bars and enjoy an evening with friends.
(BONUS) Or eat in the Latina neighborhood?
If you plan to eat in a restaurant or tapas bar when you visit the latina neighborhood you will be lost in front of the huge range of restaurants on offer.
How do you know if the establishment is too touristy? Are the dishes of quality? Or do the people of Madrid eat in this neighbourhood?
We know the time when it’s time to eat and we have no idea where to eat.
To make it easier for you to prepare your stay we have made a selection of 4 good restaurant addresses and 4 good tapas bars for a successful meal or dinner.
If you would like to have a complete list of the restaurants in the city by district please visit our blog, where you will find the ultimate guide to the city’s restaurants.
TOP 4 List of good restaurant addresses in the latina neighborhood.
Discover our top 4 restaurants in Madrid’s latina neighborhood:
Astor: Mediterranean cuisine
Calle del Almendro 9 local B, 28005 Madrid Spain
Phone: +34 910 39 80 00
Cervecería La Mayor: Spanish Cuisine
Calle Mayor nº 77, 28005 Madrid Spain
Phone: +34 911 30 24 35
Casa Lucas: Mediterranean cuisine & wines
Calle Cava Baja 30, 28005 Madrid Spain
Phone: +34 913 65 08 04
Pajaritos Mojados: Gastronomic cuisine
Calle Humilladero 3 Detras Del Mercado de la Cebada, 28005 Madrid Spain
Phone: +34 912 21 88 89
TOP 4 List of the best tapas bars
la Latina Tapas in latina neighborhood
TOP 4 List of the best tapas bars
Discover our top 4 tapas bars in Madrid’s latina neighborhood:
Taberna la Concha : Tapas bar / tavern
Calle Cava Baja 7, 28005 Madrid Spain
Phone: +34 616 91 06 71
Taberna Almeria: Tapas bar / tavern
Calle Aguas 9, 28005 Madrid Spain
Phone: +34 913 64 15 71
La Perejila: Tapas Bar
Calle Cava Baja 25, 28005 Madrid Spain
Phone: +34 913 64 28 55
AlliOli Valencian Food: Valencian cuisine
Calle de Carlos Arniches 14, 28005 Madrid Spain
Phone: +34 646 41 46 29
If you come across this article while preparing for your stay in Madrid and you have the following questions:
What to visit in Madrid? What to visit in Madrid in 2 days? What are the best museums in Madrid? Where to eat in Madrid? What to do in the Latina district?
Then take a tour on our blog to find out what you’re looking for.
If you don’t have the answer then don’t hesitate to write to us, here is our email: info@madrid-discovery.com
