Puerta del Sol

I wasn't expecting to find la Plaza del Sol the first time I saw it. I was looking for an apartment to stay in and before I started to walk, it was really the only place I had in mind as a priority. I remember I had to get off at 'Sol' and walk down a couple of streets. My friend and I were chatting when we left the metro but the conversation came to an abrupt end when we got off the metro and encountered the Plaza del Sol.

The first thing that you will wrap yourself up in is the beautiful architecture of the buildings. It's something historical that remains intact (since it's continuously restored). You will be able to find a never ending amount of very modern trades and shops but implicated in the same architectural and cultural style that characterises Madrid.

The three main reasons for why you should visit the Plaza del Sol:

• The kilometre zero begins there. All the streets in Spain calculate their mileage taking the Plaza del Sol in the centre of Madrid as their initial point and this has been so for a long time.



• You will find the oldest building, the Post Office. That's right. This building is historial since a beautiful traditional was born out of it's construction. The tower's clock found in the building was donated in the nineteenth century and is the protagonist of the bells to welcome the New Year. People usually come to the Plaza del Sol on the 31st December with the ancient tradition of bringing their 12 grapes, which they eat (one per second) seconds before welcoming the New Year. The event is so traditional that it has been broadcast on television every year for 50 years. If you're Mexican, you will be able to understand that coming to eat the grapes here is like the shouting in the Zócalo.



• You can go to take a photo with the famous bear and strawberry tree statue. Despite not being as old as the rest of the buildings, the statue is very important for the Madrilenian community since it represents the heraldrid arms (Blasonry culture) and for many, it is the symbol of Madrid.

It's excellent if you go at night, considering that it's one of the meeting points to go to Madrid's bars and clubs. The vast majority are in the centre. You will find many promoters attempting to promote their bars or clubs for you to go to and many of them give you special offers which could end up being convenient. The centre usually represents an unsafe place in many countries but it's different in Madrid since the square is so inhabited and safe during the night that you won't be afraid to walk through it; as well as being well illuminated. There are many young people wandering around the square looking for their friends, for a bar or that are returning home, so it is habitable all of the time and has police patrolling the area.

During the day, you will be able to find restaurants selling the famous tapas. I recommend you to go to the 'Museo del Jamón' (translating to Ham Museum); a restaurant where you can have the famous tinto de verano (red wine with lemonade and ice) and the such well known Madrilenean tapas. You will be able to try the Iberian ham, which in fact is found hanging in the area. It's an excellent place to taste traditional Madrilenean food.

Tinto de verano

Museo del jamón

The souvenir shops invade this area. Despite not being the cheapest (I have found the cheapest in the Rastro market, which is only on Sundays), they have been the most varied and original. If you are in a hurry around the city, buying them here can be a good option.

How much does it cost?

Being a public square, everything can be admired for free. Nevertheless, I will give you the approximate prices of some things:

• Tapas: 2 euros
• Tinto de verano: 2 euros
• Fridge magnet: 3 euros
• Postcard: 25 cents
• Water: Around 1 euro 50 cents (beer is cheaper)
• Clubs: Entry is up at around 10 euros, drinks not included.
• I recommend you strongly to go to 100 Montaditos if it's a Wednesday or Sunday, considering that its entire menu is at a euro, including the 'tinto de verano'.

How to get there?

Getting there by metro is the easiest option. Just take the yellow or red line and get off at Vodafone Sol station. When you get off, you will be right in the middle of the square.

Recommendations

• Right now being summer, it's hot so were a hat and sun glasses.
• Many points of tourist interest are found in close proximity to the plaza del Sol, such as Plaza España, Teatro Real (Royal Theater), the opera, Palacio Real (Royal Palace), Almudena cathedral, Alcalá Gate, the Gran Vía (main road), the Círculo de Bellas Artes, the Retiro... Madrid isn't such a big city so you can get anywhere in the centre on foot.
• As in any other country, you have to take precautions. Pickpockets love distracted tourists who walk around with open bags and their phones in their back pockets. Watch over everything properly and keep your belongings in sight.