Plaza de Santa Ana (Santa Ana Square), Madrid

Santa Ana Square is located close by to Gate of the Sun and Huertas Street, in Madrid's central Letras District. It was built in the 17th century and was known originally as Corral de la Pacheca and Principe. In addition to several monuments, namely to Pedro Calderon de la Barca, the Spanish Golden Age writer, and Federico Garcia Lorca, Grenadian poet, this square is a home to numerous restaurants, cafes and tapas bars.

Spanish Theatre, the oldest theater in Madrid, is also found here, on the eastern side. On on the western side of the plaza is a luxury hotel, now known as ME Madrid Reina Victoria. Built in the early 19th century, this hotel gained fame as the one favored by popular bullfighters, including Spain's #1 torero Manolete who was a regular guest here, back in the 1940s, and always reserved room number 220 out of superstition.

The abundance of tapas bars, cafes, beer houses, and restaurants around the square makes the place particularly busy, and in summer the buzz continues until late at night. Back in the day, this vivacious neighborhood was frequented by illustrious personalities such as Ernest Hemingway who, among other places, particularly favored the nearby Palace Hotel and German Beerhouse to quench his thirst with a glass of beer.

If you're a discerning tapas hunter with a thirst for beer, you will find the variety of hip gastrobars in the area most satisfying. If you want to enjoy a city view of Madrid while eating, head to the terrace restaurant on the top floor of Me Madrid Reina Victoria hotel