Plaza de Santa Ana
Plaza de Santa Ana
4.5
About
Tapas bars and clubs line this scenic plaza, making it one of Madrid's most popular nightlife hotspots.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area
Neighbourhood: Huertas
Also known as Barrio de las Letras, Huertas was once home to prominent literary figures, Miguel de Cervantes and Lope de Vega among them. The neighbourhood is committed to celebrating its rich heritage: Calle Huertas itself is inlaid with quotes from celebrated authors, street names pay homage to them, and second-hand bookshops pervade. Huertas receives a fair amount of spillover from the center — side streets around Plaza Santa Ana take on a foreign party atmosphere at night, and you always see young backpackers navigating the streets — but as you descend into the neighbourhood, everything becomes a little more cramped and slightly less refined, and takes on more of an underground feel. Live music is at the heart of Huertas: by night, its subdued bars are ideal for meeting friends, sipping cocktails, and chatting quietly while enjoying jazz or singer-songwriter performances.
How to get there
- Vodafone Sol • 3 min walk
- Antón Martín • 4 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
9,307 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,351 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,809 reviews
Excellent
1,206
Very good
1,293
Average
257
Poor
35
Terrible
19
Steve_of_N21
London, UK3,273 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This was probably my favourite of all the Plazas we visited in Madrid. It is book ended by the Spanish Theatre at one end and the ME Madrid Reina Victoria hotel at the other , and then has tapas restaurants along both sides, all of which provide covered seating sections on the square itself. Due to the theatre it is also home to the monuments to Calderón de la Barca ( famous poet and writer of operas) and Federico García Lorca, one of Spains most famous poets. It’s lively at any time but really comes into its own after dark. It will not be the cheapest tapas or beers you have in Madrid, but it is worth the extras couple of euros just to enjoy the vibe.
Written May 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
redhead_roaming
Seattle, WA2,860 contributions
May 2022
We knew this plaza was a good place to visit while in Madrid but we really didn't know too much more than that. On May 21st, 2022 (a Saturday), we were having dinner & a show nearby and we had extra time so we stopped by (around 8pm). It's definitely more geared towards people who want to sit down and have a meal but there are a couple playgrounds here. Our kids enjoyed playing for a bit before the rain came in. They playgrounds aren't huge but our kids, at the time, were not even 2 years old so the few pieces of equipment combined with the lower age range for these playgrounds was perfect for our kids. There were only a 2-3 other kids in total so that was the cherry on top.
Written April 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikael F
Helsinki, Finland31,149 contributions
Dec 2022
The Plaza de Santa Ana and the nearby small streets have hundreds of tapas bars, terrace cafes, pubs, and restaurants.
There are many striking buildings lining the square like Teatro Espanol and ME Reina Victoria Hotel.
Two statues pay tribute to two great Spanish personalities: the famous Spanish playwright Pedro Calderon de la Barca and Federico Garcia Lorca, a poet and dramatist killed by the Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War.
This square is a pleasant place to just sit and watch the passers-by, have a refreshing drink at one of the open-air terrace cafes, or enter one of the many bars to sample tapas with a glass of wine.
There are many striking buildings lining the square like Teatro Espanol and ME Reina Victoria Hotel.
Two statues pay tribute to two great Spanish personalities: the famous Spanish playwright Pedro Calderon de la Barca and Federico Garcia Lorca, a poet and dramatist killed by the Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War.
This square is a pleasant place to just sit and watch the passers-by, have a refreshing drink at one of the open-air terrace cafes, or enter one of the many bars to sample tapas with a glass of wine.
Written January 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MDOGP
Dallas, TX1,227 contributions
Oct 2020
This is a nice square in the heart of Madrid, close to the Ateneo, the Royal Academy of History, and of course Teatro Nacional.
There are many restaurants and terraces just to relax.
This square was built during the Napoleonic invasion in Spain (1808-1813). It has a strong literary connection with the statue of Federico Garcia Lorca and Calderon de la Barca.
There are many restaurants and terraces just to relax.
This square was built during the Napoleonic invasion in Spain (1808-1813). It has a strong literary connection with the statue of Federico Garcia Lorca and Calderon de la Barca.
Written October 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda H
Largo, FL180 contributions
Apr 2023
Our hotel was a few blocks walk from this wonderful plaza. We ate lunch or dinner there every day we were in Madrid. The plaza is surrounded by many wonderful restaurants. We enjoyed sitting and watching the activities in the plaza. While there are many tourists who come to the plaza, it is filled with local people. There were many young couples with their babies and strollers and a small park where children can play.
Written May 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TSB5
Fort Lauderdale, FL5 contributions
Jul 2022
Loved this small plaza in the heart of the centro. Many wonderful little places to enjoy a wonderful glass of Spanish tinto or cerveza. The shop owners are helpful if you need directions and don't speak fluent Spanish. I found myself wandering around alot as I was navigating the city. Always loved returned to Santa Ana. Don't miss this quaint spot.
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travellover6128
San Francisco, CA2,966 contributions
Apr 2011
After having visited Plaza Mayor on a number of occasions for drinks and food, a work colleague recommended we try Plaza de Santa Ana. The words he used to sum up this area were 'real Spain, a lot less tourists and much cheaper', so off we went!
It's just as easy to get to as all the other places in Madrid and it certainly has a different atmosphere to Plaza mayor. There seem to be many more Spanish people here and a lot less tourists taking pictures of everything.
We arrvied at about 9pm and the area was buzzing with people. Many of them sitting outside, which gave a great atmosphere. All the bars and cafes have outside and inside seating areas and there is a fantastic choice to choose from. We left at about 11.30pm and the area was even busier but it was a really safe and fun atmosphere and certainly not intimidating. People were just sitting around eating and drinking with friends.
There are still the usual street sellers, trying to tempt you with very odd looking souveniers but no where near as pushy as other places.
Plaza de Santa Ana is not as pretty as Plaza Mayor but if you have already seen the latter and want to go elsewhere for food or drink then I would certainly recommend it
It's just as easy to get to as all the other places in Madrid and it certainly has a different atmosphere to Plaza mayor. There seem to be many more Spanish people here and a lot less tourists taking pictures of everything.
We arrvied at about 9pm and the area was buzzing with people. Many of them sitting outside, which gave a great atmosphere. All the bars and cafes have outside and inside seating areas and there is a fantastic choice to choose from. We left at about 11.30pm and the area was even busier but it was a really safe and fun atmosphere and certainly not intimidating. People were just sitting around eating and drinking with friends.
There are still the usual street sellers, trying to tempt you with very odd looking souveniers but no where near as pushy as other places.
Plaza de Santa Ana is not as pretty as Plaza Mayor but if you have already seen the latter and want to go elsewhere for food or drink then I would certainly recommend it
Written April 28, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wombat1223
Charlottesville, VA4,142 contributions
The Plaza Santa Ana is a good sized plaza (although nowhere near as large as the more famous Plaza Mayor or Puerta del Sol nearby) ringed with trendy and very overpriced restaurants and bars. The best of these is the Alemana (try their croquetas) and the worst might just be the Ocacho (where one time we waited near to 2 hours and never got our food and then had to argue to get our drinks comped). There is plenty of space on the terazas for eating (although you will pay a premium for these seats) and you can watch the gentrified neighborhood residents' children play on the playground into the night when it's time to go in for dinner (around 10 and 11pm). The very beautiful Hotel Reina Victoria (a Melia hotel) is on one side, and on the other is the Teatro Español (which is the descendent of the very first theater of Spain – think Shakespeare's Globe, but still there).
So why should you come to the Plaza Santa Ana? Maybe you shouldn't. But you should come to the neighborhood it's in. The neighborhood is an old one. It was once home to Cervantes, Lope de Vega (they lived on the same street actually) and has recently (in the last 20 years or so) been dubbed the Barrio de las Letras. Take a stroll down Huertas (which is a lovely street) and grab an ice cream near the florist on your way into the Plaza (their ice cream is to die for!). Pop into the incredible Joyeria Lopez (marked with a Lo and fish symbol – the Spanish for fish is pez) to see the antique silver and jewelry on Calle Prado. Stroll down Calle Prado to head to the famous museum. Wander down Calle Leon and pop into the funky ethnic jewelry stores, the outdoor hiking place. Skip eating in the plaza and try the menu (prix fixe lunch) at Lacon on Echegarray or have tapas at La Trucha, or Taverna Toscana. If someone hands you a flyer for a restaurant skip it for sure!
Head out Leon to Atocha and wander into the Anton Martin Market. Stop for a pastry at the Pasteleria America. Try the pastel de membrio which is my son's favorite or anything with yema (sweet egg yolks).
You'll be happy you came.
So why should you come to the Plaza Santa Ana? Maybe you shouldn't. But you should come to the neighborhood it's in. The neighborhood is an old one. It was once home to Cervantes, Lope de Vega (they lived on the same street actually) and has recently (in the last 20 years or so) been dubbed the Barrio de las Letras. Take a stroll down Huertas (which is a lovely street) and grab an ice cream near the florist on your way into the Plaza (their ice cream is to die for!). Pop into the incredible Joyeria Lopez (marked with a Lo and fish symbol – the Spanish for fish is pez) to see the antique silver and jewelry on Calle Prado. Stroll down Calle Prado to head to the famous museum. Wander down Calle Leon and pop into the funky ethnic jewelry stores, the outdoor hiking place. Skip eating in the plaza and try the menu (prix fixe lunch) at Lacon on Echegarray or have tapas at La Trucha, or Taverna Toscana. If someone hands you a flyer for a restaurant skip it for sure!
Head out Leon to Atocha and wander into the Anton Martin Market. Stop for a pastry at the Pasteleria America. Try the pastel de membrio which is my son's favorite or anything with yema (sweet egg yolks).
You'll be happy you came.
Written December 15, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,165 contributions
Feb 2020
This square is centrally located, lying in the heart of Madrid. Whilst it’s not a must-see, it is a pleasant, attractive space and it’s not heaving with crowds and tourists like Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. If you need a break and want a more relaxing, open space to sit for a coffee, then this fits the bill and is only 5 mins walk from Puerta del Sol.
There are a few attractive cafes with outdoor seating under umbrellas and from here, you are very close to the bars and restaurants and night-life of Calle des Huertas.
The thing that caught our eye and made us stop was a grand, old building, the Madrid Reina Victoria. An institution for over 100 years, it was most famous for being the favourite hang-out of celebrity matadors. At night, it’s very prettily illuminated and apparently has an excellent roof-top bar (although we did not go up).
The statue of a man standing facing the National Theatre and about to release a dove is the poet and playwright, Federico Garcίa Lorca. He died at only 38, when he was arrested and shot in 1936 by right-wing Franco officials during the Spanish Civil War. For decades there was a lot of mystery and denial surrounding his death but about 5 years ago, official police documents were released that reveal a lot more about his execution.
There are a few attractive cafes with outdoor seating under umbrellas and from here, you are very close to the bars and restaurants and night-life of Calle des Huertas.
The thing that caught our eye and made us stop was a grand, old building, the Madrid Reina Victoria. An institution for over 100 years, it was most famous for being the favourite hang-out of celebrity matadors. At night, it’s very prettily illuminated and apparently has an excellent roof-top bar (although we did not go up).
The statue of a man standing facing the National Theatre and about to release a dove is the poet and playwright, Federico Garcίa Lorca. He died at only 38, when he was arrested and shot in 1936 by right-wing Franco officials during the Spanish Civil War. For decades there was a lot of mystery and denial surrounding his death but about 5 years ago, official police documents were released that reveal a lot more about his execution.
Written December 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil K
Liverpool, UK829,647 contributions
Sept 2019 • Friends
Located in the heart of the Huertas neighbourhood is Plaza De Santa Ana, in my opinion one of the most interesting plaza's in Madrid.
Under the reign of Jose Bonaparte, ( Napoleon Bonaparte's brother ) the Carmelite Monastery Of Santa Ana was demolished and between 1810 and 1880 this plaza took shape with the exception of a few buildings that were demolished to make the way to Teatro Espanol more easy and improve the look of the plaza.
The plaza itself is superb,its got two monuments, one to Frederico Garcia Lorca and to Pedro Calderon De La Barca which look superb, very popular selfie magnets ,theres also some great architecture here ,besides the beautiful theatre building Teatro Espanol just off the plaza you have Hotel Reina Victiria which looks amazing especially at night when illuminated, looks magical, the plaza is brilliant and the streets leading into the square are also superb,packed with a great variety of pubs,bars and restaurants.
A great plaza,well worth checking out if your in the area or planning a holiday to Madrid.
Under the reign of Jose Bonaparte, ( Napoleon Bonaparte's brother ) the Carmelite Monastery Of Santa Ana was demolished and between 1810 and 1880 this plaza took shape with the exception of a few buildings that were demolished to make the way to Teatro Espanol more easy and improve the look of the plaza.
The plaza itself is superb,its got two monuments, one to Frederico Garcia Lorca and to Pedro Calderon De La Barca which look superb, very popular selfie magnets ,theres also some great architecture here ,besides the beautiful theatre building Teatro Espanol just off the plaza you have Hotel Reina Victiria which looks amazing especially at night when illuminated, looks magical, the plaza is brilliant and the streets leading into the square are also superb,packed with a great variety of pubs,bars and restaurants.
A great plaza,well worth checking out if your in the area or planning a holiday to Madrid.
Written September 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Los mercados que conozco del centro de madrid (san miguel, san idelfonso, san anton, san fernando y mercado de la cebada) están todos a 10 - 15 min caminando. Un saludo
Written April 30, 2018
AHC295
Kollund, Denmark
Hey guys, can you recommend the best place for tapas and wine at Plaza de Santa Ana?
Written April 25, 2018
vnees02
Indianapolis, Indiana
We will be staying at the Westin Palace Hotel. How far a walk is the Plaza de Santa Ana? Thinking of doing tapas lunch-what establishment would you recommend? Thanks
Written March 31, 2018
I would suggest going to the Mercado. The choice is amazing. The wine selection equally excellent.
The atmosphere is relaxed.
Food and drink choices for every taste.
Prices from acceptable to ridiculous.
Everything is so fresh.
Written April 4, 2018
They're all ok... Depends on how you like tapas or if you prefer raciones. I like the tapas at Lateral but the service sucks big time. If you feel like eating tapas somewhere else you can go to other places near Sol, like Alhambra, or any in Calle Álvarez Gato (or around there). I also like Txakoli and Orio but they're a little bit more expensive. Alternatively, choose a place in La Latina from Calle Cava Baja/Alta
Written August 19, 2016
We are booked into Preciados Hotel and would like to know what is nearby that location -
thanks much - jenni
Written January 21, 2015
You are not far from Santa Ana Plaza. You just have to get to Puerta del Sol and from there take Carrera de San Jeronimo (name of a street) and then take Calle del Principe to your right and walking down that street you will arrive to Santa Ana Plaza. Hope you have a great stay!
Madrid is wonderful!!
Written January 21, 2015
hi staying in hotel in santa ana for 2 nights looking for nice restaurant to eat dinner bit nervous about food as am very plain eater dont even like garlic but happy to have chick dishes or steak any ideas ?
Written January 6, 2015
We had dinner at one of the restaurants on the plaza (don't remember which one, but facing the big hotel it was on the right side). I had delicious grilled salmon and a salad. There are lots of "simple choices" with fish or chicken and vegetables. Enjoy Madrid!
Written January 7, 2015
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