Puerta del Sol
Puerta del Sol features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Madrid. Give it roughly ~30 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type square
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Madrid Madrid guide
About Puerta del Sol
Madrid's bustling central square, kilometre zero of Spain's radial road network, home to the famous Bear and Strawberry Tree statue, and the place where all Spain eats 12 grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve.
The Puerta del Sol is the symbolic heart and geographic centre of Madrid, and by extension the centre of Spain itself. The name means 'Gate of the Sun', recalling a medieval city gate that once stood here. Today it is a semi-circular plaza permanently busy with tourists, shoppers, commuters, and protestors. On its south side stands the Real Casa de Correos, the former Royal Post Office built in the 18th century and now the seat of the Madrid regional government; on its clock tower is the bell whose twelve strokes at midnight on December 31st are broadcast live across Spain, accompanying the national tradition of eating one grape per stroke for good luck in the new year. On the pavement in front of the building, a bronze plaque marks kilometre zero, the point from which all distances in Spain are officially measured. A short walk away, the bronze Bear and Strawberry Tree statue (El Oso y el Madroño) is Madrid's most beloved emblem.
Did you know? Puerta del Sol is Kilometre Zero of Spain, every road distance in the country is officially measured from this point.
How long is a visit to Puerta del Sol?
Set aside roughly ~30 min for Puerta del Sol. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Puerta del Sol worth your time?
Puerta del Sol is among the 45 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Madrid, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Madrid
Hear the story of Puerta del Sol
Preview the Madrid tour free in the Gingerguide app.