The Top 10 Things To Do And See In Puerta Del Sol Madrid

Located just a short walk from the Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol is Madrid‘s most famous and central square. Originally the site of one of Madrid’s gates, facing east and adorned with an image of the sun, the square owes its current form to a major renovation work carried out between 1854 and 1860. Discover this unique place with our top picks of Madrid’s Puerta del Sol.

Kilometre Zero Stone Slab

Just outside the Casa de Correos, tourists can see a stone slab on the pavement, marking the so-called Kilometre Zero: the official starting point for Spain‘s six national roads. The original stone, placed in the plaza in 1950, has been deteriorated over the decades but in September 2009 was replaced with a newer and brighter one which can now be seen in the place.

1. Church of San Ginés

Church

Just around the corner from the Puerta del Sol, the Iglesia Parroquial de San Ginés de Arlés is one of the oldest religious sites in the Spanish capital. Links to this church date back to the ninth century, while there appears to have existed a hermitage sited here in the 13th century, eventually rebuilt in its current form in the 17th century. The temple is dedicated to St. Genesius of Arlés, the patron saint of notaries and secretaries. The church keeps on display a stuffed crocodile, belived to have originated from the Americas as a gift for the Catholic kingsand queens of the empire.

2. Chocolatería de San Ginés

Bar, Cafe, Restaurant, Dessert Shop, Candy Store, Spanish, Dessert

Right next to the Church of San Ginés, tourists can discover this unique venue that serves Chocolate con Churros, a traditional Spanish dish that’s generally eaten for breakfast, consisting of a cup of hot, thick chocolate into which people dip long sticks of fried dough. Located on Pasadizo de San Ginés, this traditional white-marbled bar was established in 1894 and has literally been selling the delicious treats ever since!