La Latina District

Welcome to the heart of the La Latina neighbourhood. All these winding streets date back to medieval times, when this area was a cluster of suburbs outside the city walls. This is where traders arriving in Madrid would settle — and this history is reflected in the names of its squares and streets: Plaza de la Cebada (Barley Square), Plaza de la Paja (Straw Square), Plaza de los Carros (Cart Square), and many more. The district is called La Latina in honour of the humanist writer Beatriz Galindo, known as “La Latina”. She was Queen Isabella I’s tutor and founded a hospital here with her husband. Today, this neighbourhood is one of Madrid’s most festive areas, full of tapas bars. It’s home to some of the city’s most cherished local celebrations — from the San Isidro festival in mid-May to the Fiestas de la Paloma in mid-August. If you happen to be here at the right time… you just might find yourself swept up in the party.