Madrid’s Literary District: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Overview

The charming Huertas area has been Madrid’s literary hub ever since 1583. On this walking tour through Barrio de las Letras (known as the Literary Quarter), you’ll find out how writers shaped the city, from the Golden Age (Siglo de Oro) up to the present day. You’ll stroll through the district’s quaint streets to see where a world-weary Cervantes settled to pen Don Quijote, just down the road from his greatest frenemy, Lope de Vega. You'll also see where, centuries later during the Spanish Civil War, Hemingway whet his whistle in bars like La Venencia and Ceveceria Alemana. The tour ends at El Angel del Jardin, a picturesque garden and florist that’s haunted by the lively spirits of the neighbourhood’s long-dead writers. On this leisurely 60-minute walk through Barrio de las Letras, Madrid’s literary district, you'll find out how the area, the city and the country were shaped by some of the world’s greatest writers.