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Lavapiés, multicultural by definition, was, in the middle ages, an Arab and Jewish neighbourhood located outside of the city's walls. In 1492 the Arabs and Jews were expulsed and coverted into a popular district. In the 1980s and 90s this area was renovated and became, and still is, a young bohemian and alternative area.

Limited by Calle Atocha to the east and Ronda de Valencia to the south, Calle de Embajadores to the west and Calle de la Magdalena to the north, the heart of this area is Plaza de Lavapiés. Not far away you'll find Reina Sofía Museum, extended in 2005 by the French architect and designer Jean Nouvel. The Reina Sofia museum is famous for its collection of modern art including Guernica and Pablo Picasso. In the surrounding area you'll also find various important art galleries.

The area is full of bars, cafés and restaurants, and ethnic boutiques, all reasonable priced. The heart of the social scene in Lavapiés is Calle Argumosa, with an alternative style and terraces al-fresco. From here you can get to Reina Sofia musuem and Ronda de Atocha (Atocha metro nearby), crosses with Paseo del Prado.

Whoever is searching for lively nightlife should go to the streets Calle Ave Maria and Calle Colegio. Here you'll find places frequented by "bohemian-intellectuals", like the café Barbieri known for its antique decoration and its innumerable mirrors,  or rock and flamenco bars like Bar Candela.

We can't fail to mention Plaza de Tirso de Molina, which lends its name to Tirso de Molina, a theatre author from the 17th century who created Don Juan from El burlador de Sevilla. This square is the intersection between various areas of the city, to the north Sol, to the south Lavapiés, to the west La Latina and to the east Huertas.

From here to the west you'll get to Plaza de Cascorro, home to El Rastro, the open air market which takes places every Sunday and holiday.

From Tirso de Molina, to the east, in Calle Santa Isabel 3, you'll find Cine Doré, home to Filmoteca Española, known for its rich and varied cinema programmes in original version.

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