Chueca

Chueca is Madrid's gay district with a really welcoming vibe for everyone. The plaza fills up with people having drinks, and the restaurants are solid. One of the safer neighborhoods for walking around at night, with good foot traffic and a strong community feel.

Plaza de Chueca fills up with people having afternoon drinks at the outdoor terraces, and you'll see rainbow flags year-round since this is Madrid's gay district. The restaurants around Calle Hortaleza range from trendy brunch spots to traditional Spanish places, with staff who generally speak English and are used to international visitors. Pride week in June turns the whole area into one big street party. It's one of the safest neighborhoods to walk around at night because there's always foot traffic and a strong community feel. Solo dining is completely normal here - you'll often see people eating alone while people-watching from the terrace tables.