A Day Exploring La Latina's Vibrant Tapas And Bar Scene

La Latina is one of Madrid’s most traditional and most exciting neighborhoods, especially for those planning to indulge in cuisine and cocktails. The area is known for its tapas – small plates of food often eaten standing up among friends and likely paired with a glass of wine or beer. Here’s a guide to La Latina’s bar and tapas scene, which is best explored on Sundays.

Start with the Rastro

Madrid’s largest flea market, the Rastro, occurs every Sunday of the month in La Latina. You can find pretty much anything here, from typical souvenirs to antique furniture to hand-crafted leather goods. Break up the shopping with beers or a snack at one of the many bars and restaurants that line the Rastro route. If you haven’t yet had breakfast, opt for a coffee or thick chocolate and churros.

1. Visit the Mercado de la Cebada

Bar, Market

One of Madrid’s most interesting food markets, Mercado de la Cebada offers the most authentic Spanish delights while still having a decidedly hipster scene. First, have a couple of tapas inside the market, like grilled octopus or goat’s cheese and caramelized onions on a baguette, and then head out to the patio to admire the street art, have a beer or listen to live music.

Mercado de la Cebada, Plaza de la Cebada, Madrid, Spain

The outside of the Mercado de la Cebada | © Guillermo de la Madrid/Madrid Street Art Project

2. Wander along Calle Cava Baja

Bar

Calle Cava Baja is filled with some of Madrid’s most traditional and oldest tapas bars. Stop into any bar that strikes you as interesting and order tapas by pointing at whichever one you want in the glass cases sitting atop the bar. One of the most famous spots is the Taberna El Tempranillo, known for their delicious meats and cheeses, not to mention smooth Tempranillo wine blends.

Taberna El Tempranillo, Calle Cava Baja 38, Madrid, Spain, +34 913 64 15 32

3. Try some fancy tapas

Bar

While tapas can always be enjoyed standing at the bar, trying a fancier spot for more gourmet tapas is fun too. Juana La Loca offers contemporary takes on more authentic varieties. Expect to see all the typical Spanish like omelette or croquetas, but don’t be surprised if they include ingredients like cabrales cheese, truffle or have an Asian-inspired twist.

Juana La Loca, Plaza Puerta de Moros 4, Madrid, Spain, +34 913 64 05 25

Tapas galore | © Jessica Spengler/Flickr

4. See the sun set at El Viajero

Bar

While El Viajero boasts three floors, the rooftop is the place to be for a Sunday evening sunset over the tiled roofs. Try a traditional tinto de verano drink (a red wine spritzer) paired with the delicious Canarian specialty tapas, patatas con salsa mojo. Once you’ve downed a few drinks the club-like second floor is loads of fun if you want to dance.

El Viajero, Plaza de la Cebada 11, Madrid, Spain, +34 620 63 81 59

Check out the sunset at El Viajero | © Lori Zaino

Dance the night away

Once you’ve had your fill of tapas, have a mojito and dance for a bit – Sunday evenings are actually the most popular time to do so at Vaova, which is typically packed shoulder-to-shoulder after 8-9pm on a Sunday evening. Get there early if you want to score a spot on one of the sofas. Then, if you’re still standing, stop into Graffiti Music Bar, aptly named for zone in which its located, filled with street art. This is the late-night spot to be, as they stay open until 3.30am.

Vaova, Plaza del Humilladero, Madrid, Spain, +34 913 64 10 17

Graffiti Music Bar, Calle Bailén, 39, Madrid, Spain, +34 615 69 63 03

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.