Ten streets radiate from Sol, so you can easily venture out to many of Madrid’s most famous landmarks nearby, such as the main boulevard of Gran Vía, Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real, Almudena Cathedral and Mercado de San Miguel. If you need to pack your Madrid sightseeing into a day and don’t mind overpriced tourist rates, then staying in Sol is a strategic decision. It’s packed with landmarks, including the equestrian statue of King Charles III, the beloved Bear and Strawberry Tree sculpture that represents the Madrid coat of arms, and the Casa de Correos (post office), which is crowned by a famous clock that counts down to midnight on New Year’s Eve, as revelers eat the traditional 12 grapes along with each chime. The symbolic center of Spain and its main crossroads, Sol is a bustling plaza that has been the city’s social hub since the 19th century. No visit to Madrid is complete without seeing its main square, the Plaza de la Puerta del Sol (or simply 'Sol').
Sol (Centro) Best neighborhood for sightseeing The Almudena is among the many treasures of Sol in Madrid © F.J.
