The Puerta del Sol might technically be called a "gate" rather than a square, but don't let that fool you – this is Madrid's beating heart, where ten streets converge and half the city seems to pass through at any given moment. I've stood here countless times, watching the endless flow of people, and there's something oddly mesmerizing about being at what feels like the center of everything.

The name comes from an old fortress that once stood here in the 16th century, its main gate decorated with a sun symbol. That fortress disappeared centuries ago, but the name stuck. What you see now is completely different – a fully pedestrianized space that feels surprisingly spacious despite the crowds.

The most imposing building here is the Real Casa de Correos, an 18th-century structure that started life as the main post office. These days it houses the Madrid regional government, but most people know it for the clock tower added in the 19th century. That clock, donated by a clockmaker named José Rodríguez de Losada, has become famous across Spain for marking midnight on New Year's Eve. Since 1962, television broadcasts those twelve chimes to millions of Spaniards eating their traditional twelve grapes.

Madrid's entire road network radiates from here – there's actually a plaque marking kilometer zero embedded in the pavement, though it's easy to miss among all the foot traffic. This central position makes Puerta del Sol incredibly practical for getting anywhere in the city, which explains why it's such a natural meeting point.

The square works well as a starting point if you want to visit Puerta del Sol and explore the surrounding area. Mayor Street leads toward the Plaza Mayor, while Arenal takes you toward the opera house. Alcalá Street stretches east toward Retiro Park. The metro connections underneath are excellent too – three lines converge here.

What strikes me most is how this space manages to be both thoroughly touristy and genuinely functional for locals. It's not just a photo opportunity – people actually use it to get places, meet friends, or simply cut through on their way somewhere else.

Discover all the secrets of Puerta del Sol with our complete Madrid audio guide to understand the layers of history beneath this bustling crossroads.