Guide to Madrid's Puerta del Sol

The Puerta del Sol is the heart of Madrid and the symbolic centre of Spain. This square, always in motion, concentrates centuries of history, monuments every visitor wants to photograph and the city’s most important transport connections. This guide brings together everything you need to know to understand and enjoy it.

Why the Puerta del Sol matters so much

Set in the middle of the historic centre, the Puerta del Sol is far more than a square: it is a meeting point, the stage for historic events and the place from which Spain welcomes each new year with the famous midnight chimes.

Here you will find Kilometre Zero, the point from which the distances of the country’s six radial highways are measured. It is also home to the emblem of Madrid, the statue of El Oso y el Madroño — the Bear and the Strawberry Tree — and the clock of the Casa de Correos, whose chimes set the rhythm of New Year’s Eve.

What to see in the Puerta del Sol

• Kilometre Zero: the plaque in the pavement from which the national highways begin.
• El Oso y el Madroño: the sculpture that symbolizes the city, the meeting point par excellence.
• The Casa de Correos clock: the star of the year-end chimes.
• The equestrian statue of Charles III: at the centre of the square.
• La Mariblanca: a replica of one of the oldest sculptures associated with the square.
• The Tío Pepe sign: Madrid’s most famous illuminated advertisement.

Each of these landmarks has a story of its own, which you can explore in detail in the articles of this guide.

How to get there

The Puerta del Sol is Madrid’s most accessible transport hub. It has the Sol Metro station (lines 1, 2 and 3) and the Sol Cercanías commuter rail station, which connects with the entire region. It is just a few minutes’ walk from the Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace and the Barrio de las Letras.

When to visit

The square is open 24 hours a day and is worth seeing both by day and by night, when the lighting brings out the buildings and the Tío Pepe sign. The busiest times are weekend afternoons and, of course, the night of December 31.

The surroundings and where to eat or stay

The Puerta del Sol is the perfect base for staying and dining in the centre of Madrid. In this guide you will find recommendations for where to stay and where to eat just steps from the square, so you can experience the historic centre without depending on transport.