La Latina & Cava Baja

What to expect

La Latina is one of the oldest parts of Madrid, named after Beatriz Galindo, nicknamed La Latina, who founded a hospital here in 1499. Its steep, narrow streets sit just south of Plaza Mayor, and Calle de la Cava Baja and Cava Alta are the heart of the area's tapas scene. The old inns and taverns along them have been feeding travellers for centuries.

A visit here is about eating and drinking rather than ticking off monuments. You walk from bar to bar, taking one small plate and a drink at each, along Cava Baja and around Plaza de la Paja and the little squares nearby. On Sundays the Rastro market spills into the streets above, and the area is at its liveliest around lunchtime. Plan two to three hours for a proper tapas crawl.

Don't miss

• Cava Baja and its old taverns
• Plaza de la Paja
• The tower of Iglesia de San Andrés
• Calle de la Cava Alta
• Tapas bars at lunchtime

Tips for your visit

• Eat one tapa per bar and move on; that is how the local custom works.
• Go on a Sunday after El Rastro, when the area is at its busiest and friendliest.
• Book a table if you want a sit-down meal in the evening, especially at weekends.
• Ask for the house specialities; many bars have one dish they are known for.