The Puerta is located in the very heart of Madrid.
It serves as the kilometre zero from which all radial roads in Spain are measured.
This is demonstrated by a plaque on the floor of the square, marking the exact point of Km.0.
The old plaque was replaced in 2009, after the old one had become faded after years of foot traffic.
It is also the reference for street numbers in Madrid, which begin at the street-end that is closest to Puerta del Sol.

Immediately to the southwest lies the Plaza Mayor; the Palacio Real, the official home of the Royal Family, is further west.
Parliament and the museum district are to the east and the train station Atocha is to the southeast.

Under the square lies a public transport hub served by lines 1, 2 and 3 of the Madrid Metro.
A commuter service was inaugurated on 27 June 2009, four years behind schedule.
The lateness of the construction was in part due to the discovery of the remains of the Church of Our Lady of Good Success during the excavation of the main chamber.
The new station connects the Puerta to Madrid's commuter rail system and, by extension, to Spain's railroads via direct connections to Atocha and Chamartín railway stations .

The square connects several commercial and recreational areas together, and thus both it and the surrounding streets consist mainly of shopping establishments catering to locals and tourists alike, like the several El Corte Inglés department store buildings in Preciados Street, La Mallorquina cafe, and numerous, ever-changing restaurants.
The area remains active late into the night and early morning since nearby bars and dance clubs often only start entertainment at 1 am.
Street music is also common in the area.

Side streets close to the square also contain residential flats, some small offices, and tourist hostels.
The Puerta is located in the very heart of Madrid. It serves as the kilometre zero from which all radial roads in Spain are measured. This is demonstrated by a plaque on the floor of the square, marking the exact point of Km.0. The old plaque was replaced in 2009, after the old one had become faded after years of foot traffic. It is also the reference for street numbers in Madrid, which begin at the street-end that is closest to Puerta del Sol.
Immediately to the southwest lies the Plaza Mayor; the Palacio Real, the official home of the Royal Family, is further west. Parliament and the museum district are to the east and the train station Atocha is to the southeast.
Under the square lies a public transport hub served by lines 1, 2 and 3 of the Madrid Metro. A commuter service was inaugurated on 27 June 2009, four years behind schedule. The lateness of the construction was in part due to the discovery of the remains of the Church of Our Lady of Good Success during the excavation of the main chamber. The new station connects the Puerta to Madrid's commuter rail system and, by extension, to Spain's railroads via direct connections to Atocha and Chamartín railway stations .
The square connects several commercial and recreational areas together, and thus both it and the surrounding streets consist mainly of shopping establishments catering to locals and tourists alike, like the several El Corte Inglés department store buildings in Preciados Street, La Mallorquina cafe, and numerous, ever-changing restaurants. The area remains active late into the night and early morning since nearby bars and dance clubs often only start entertainment at 1 am. Street music is also common in the area.
Side streets close to the square also contain residential flats, some small offices, and tourist hostels.
Puerta del Sol