Madrid, the capital and the largest city of Spain takes pride in its great cultural and artistic heritage. Along with this, Madrid happens to be a modern and contemporary city with some of the liveliest nightlife in the world. Tourists find no dearth of places to visit in Madrid. One of the best known ad busiest places in this city is the Puerta del Sol (Spanish for “Gate of the Sun”). The square is famous for its clock whose bells mark the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes and the beginning of a new year. The New Year’s celebration has been broadcast live on TV since 31 December 1962.

The plaza is located right in the heart of Madrid and happens to be the centre for the local transit system, a favourite meeting spot for locals, a visible area for festivals or political demonstrations, and a opportune location for tour guides, street performers, pickpockets and anyone else looking to take advantage of all the tourists on hand. Immediately to the southwest of the square lies the Plaza Mayor; the Palacio Real, the official home of the Royal Family, is further west. Parliament and the museum district are to the east and the train station Atocha is to the southeast.

There are a number of architectural works to be seen in this plaza. There is the the Statue of King Charles III on horseback, facing the Royal Post Office. In front of the building of Royal Post Offcie is Kilometer Zero, a plaque showing the point where the measuring of national highway system begins. On the east side of the plaza is the famous Bear and the Madroño Tree Statue, a bear climbing a madroño tree, which is the symbol of Madrid. Nearby the giant neon Tío Pepe sign sits above the plaza and is a famous fixture of this area.

Being the hub of the transport network of Madrid, this square connects several commercial and recreational areas together. The square happens to be a shopper’s paradise with various shopping establishments in and around the area, like the several El Corte Inglés department store buildings in Preciados Street, La Mallorquina cafe, and numerous, ever-changing restaurants. The area remains active late into the night and early morning since nearby bars and dance clubs often only start entertainment at 1 am. Street music is also common in the area. Side streets close to the square also contain residential flats, some small offices, and tourist hotels.