Exploring Madrid – La Latina!

If you are planning on going to Madrid, there is a neighbourhood you absolutely need to visit. It is located in the old town of the city, has some of the most beautiful medieval streets in the world and hosts the best Tapas bars in the Spanish capital. Its name is no other than La Latina.

La Latina is one of the most genuinely authentic neighbourhoods of Madrid. On Sundays, the biggest open-air flea market in Spain is held in its grounds – El Rastro de Madrid. Whether you are looking for a new painting to decorate your walls, browse rare books, vintage clothes or even buy a new pet, you can be sure that you will be able to find it in El Rastro!

The streets of La Latina tend to be particularly lively in the evenings and at weekends. If you feel like having some delicious tapas and even some wine tasting, you really need to visit this district. Dishes can include one of the many types of olives, fish, meat, chorizo, cheese Spanish cuisine is well known for. As you can imagine, this is always served with a nice Spanish wine or a fresh cerveza.

You should definitely visit this neighbourhood during the festivities of La Virgen de La Paloma, which take place on 15 August. The streets are full of cheerful madrileños dressed up as chulapos and chulapas, dancing everywhere.You also cannot make a trip to La Latina without passing by the Neoclassic basilica of San Francisco el Grande with an especially impressive interior, beautiful paintings and the largest dome of any church in Spain! Just north of the basilica is the park/botanical gardens of Jardines de las Vistillas – an excellent place to relax, eat and stay to watch a beautiful sunset.

Whether you are looking for amazing parties or incredible food, you should not miss the amazing La Latina!

Apple Language Courses offers language courses at two Spanish schools in Madrid – Puerta del Sol and Retiro Park. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your preferences!

Carlos