The Top 15 Things To Do And See In Puerta del Sol, Madrid

The statue that dominates the centre of the square is that of Charles III on horseback. The king was nicknamed “the best king-mayor of Madrid” for the many projects he undertook to improve the city during his reign (1759-1788) – doing everything from building hospitals to founding Spain’s lottery, which remains wildly popular to this day. Recommended by Jessica Jones.

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.

Kilometre Zero Stone Slab | Cristina Candel / © Culture Trip

The famous plaza is also home to the most famous symbol of the Spanish capital: a 20 ton statue of a bear feasting of fruits from a tree. It gets its name from the original name of Madrid: ‘Ursaria’, which means ‘land of the bears’ in Latin. According to the legend, there were high numbers of bears in the adjacent forests, which, together with the strawberry tree, have been the symbol of the city from the medieval era.

Any tourist’s journey in Madrid‘s Puerta del Sol will start with the famous Clock of the Puerta del Sol, simply because it is one of the main protagonists on New Years Eve and other major timing events. Here, on the last night of the year, Spaniards and tourists alike are full of excitement. The story behind the clock of the ‘Gobernación’is somewhat funny. A few centuries ago, the majority of people used public clocks on the street as a guide, as they lacked personal watches. The problem was that this particular clock did not work properly, so the public administration changed it on many occasions. Eventually, an official watchmaker from the Spanish Navy was requested to create a clock that would finally provide accurate time. He donated the clock to the people of Madrid, which was inaugurated in 1866. Since then, the clock has not stopped providing the exact time to both locals and passers-by.

Apart from the emblematic El Oso y El MadroñoPuerta del Sol’s premises also include a reproduction of the Mariblanca statue, with the original being on display at the Municipal Museum, depicting either Venus or Diana the Hunter, and a statue of the Bourbon King Carlos III. It is believed Mariblanca marks the spot where a fountain previously stood, while the statue of King Carlos III was placed here by popular demand; as a token of Madrid’s appreciation for the improvements he commissioned for the city.

Above the shop on the corner of Calle de Carretas is a plaque that the vast majority of people walk straight past but one that marks an important historical moment that took place on the square – the assassination of Prime Minister José Canalejas. He was browsing a bookshop when was shot by anarchist Manuel Pardiñas.
The square is a place of commemoration – the façade of the Casa de Correos building holds plaques dedicated to citizens to were killed in the March 11 2004 train bombings and all those who helped their fellow Madrileños that day. Another plaque on the building pays homage to citizens who rose up against French troops on May 2 1808. Recommended by Jessica Jones.

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.

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!

The oldest building on the Puerta del Sol is today the headquarters of the Madrid regional government. It was built by French architect Jacques Marquet between 1766 and 1768 and was originally the city’s main post office. It was the headquarters of the Ministry of the Interior and State Security during the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco. Recommended by Jessica Jones.

Madrid is certainly one of the capitals of fashion and shopping in Spain, and Preciados is one of the most important shopping hubs of the Spanish capital. It starts in Puerta del Sol and ends at the Plaza de Santo Domingo. Dubbed the most commercial street in Madrid, Preciados is also home to some uber-expensive real estate and apartments. Although popular for the countless couture and high-street shops, this street is also famous for housing the English Court and other international franchises.

One of Madrid’s most famous bakeries is handily located right on the Puerta del Sol. La Mallorquina was founded in 1894 and ever since has been one of Madrileños’ favourite places to pick up a sweet snack. The bakery, which has two takeaway counters and a coffee counter downstairs along with a sit-down café upstairs, is famous for its napolitanas – delicious pastries filled with either a custard-like cream or chocolate (€1.30). Recommended by Jessica Jones.

Nobody parties quite like the Spaniards do, so nightclubs in Madrid are an absolute must. Just a short walk from Puerta del Sol, night-owls can find Palacio de Gaviria, an architectural gem of the 19th century that was inspired by the Italian Renaissance. The imposing staircase invites people for a walk in a place that has only become more charming with time, surrounded by magnificent frescoes created by Joaquin de Espalter. For almost two decades, the palace has hosted thousands of events, providing a spot that can become a club, press room, fashion show runway, conference centre and more!

The Puerta del Sol has long been the centre of protests and demonstrations in the city and was the centre of the 2011 indignados movement. The movement was a reaction to Spain’s crippling economic crisis and the country’s high unemployment rates and began with hundreds of thousands of people packing into the Puerta del Sol on May 15, 2011 to protest. It’s common to see protests on the square most weeks, from anti-bullfighting demos to protests against the government. Recommended by Jessica Jones.

This giant sign dominates one end of the Puerta del Sol plaza. Tio Pepe is a brand of sherry made from the palomino grape. The sign has enjoyed its fair share of changes, but its popularity became more obvious in 2011, when it was taken down as the original building was being refurbished. After a three-year absence, the sign was re-lit at number 11 Puerta del Sol in May 2014. Forty tons lighter than its predecessor, Tio Pepe is a joy for locals and tourists alike, shining over the Madrid skyline as a veritable icon of this central plaza.

Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen y san Luis obispo is a Catholic church located close to Puerta del Sol, and is one of the most famous and visited churches in the Spanish capital. This church is what remains from the old Monastery of Carmen Calzado. Originally, it was dedicated to San Damaso. The church is a complex building, having been built in the 17th century by the architect Miguel de Soria and sculptor Mateo de Cortray, the creator of the door that opens into the street.

If you happen to be in Madrid over New Year, then the Puerta del Sol is a must-visit. People pack into the square in the run-up to midnight for the celebrations, which are broadcast live on Spanish television. It is traditional to eat 12 grapes on the 12 gongs of midnight that ring out from the clock on the Casa de Correos building. It is said that if you successfully eat the 12 grapes, you will have luck and prosperity for the year to come. Recommended by Jessica Jones.