Malasaña

Overview

Malasaña is Madrid's countercultural heartland—the neighbourhood that birthed the Movida Madrileña, the explosive cultural movement that erupted after the death of Franco. Today it retains its rebellious spirit through independent shops, street art, and a local identity.

Highlights

• Plaza del Dos de Mayo: The neighbourhood's central square, named after the 1808 anti-Napoleonic uprising, now a tree-lined gathering spot surrounded by terraces.
• Vintage Shopping: Calle del Espíritu Santo and surrounding streets are packed with vintage clothing shops, independent bookstores, and curiosity shops.
• Street Art: The neighbourhood is an open-air gallery of commissioned murals and guerrilla street art.

History

Named after Manuela Malasaña, a 15-year-old seamstress killed by Napoleonic troops during the 1808 uprising for carrying scissors (mistaken for a weapon). In the 1980s, the area became ground zero for the Movida Madrileña—a cultural explosion of music, film, art, and fashion led by figures like Pedro Almodóvar and Alaska.

Visitor Tips

• Nightlife: Malasaña is one of Madrid's best neighbourhoods for bar-hopping, with a mix of dive bars, craft beer spots, and tiny music venues.
• Morning: Visit the independent coffee shops and bakeries that line Calle del Espíritu Santo and Calle de la Palma.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.