The Real Madrid footballer chooses Chamberí for his leisure plans. The district combines gastronomy, heritage, and a ghost metro station.
The Real Madrid footballer Vinícius Júnior has found in the Madrid district of Chamberí one of his favourite places to spend his free afternoons with friends, according to Defensa Central. The area, close to the city centre, maintains its traditional identity while becoming one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods.
The atmosphere begins with the aperitif and continues throughout the afternoon. In contrast to the hustle and bustle of large nightclubs, Chamberí offers a more relaxed environment for the Brazilian and his close circle.
The main attraction is Ponzano street, which has become a gastronomic reference. In just a few hundred metres, there are tapas bars, modern restaurants, taverns, cocktail bars, and international cuisine. The Madrid tourism website includes it among its trendy gastronomic streets, and its success has popularised the term ponzaning, which describes the custom of hopping from venue to venue during the same afternoon. Among the establishments that have contributed to its fame is Sala de Despiece, known for its shareable dishes. There are also alternatives on the nearby streets of Alonso Cano, Santa Engracia, and José Abascal.
Under the neighbourhood lies one of the great curiosities of the Madrid Metro. The old Chamberí station was part of the first line inaugurated in 1919, between Sol and Cuatro Caminos. It ceased operations in 1966 due to the difficulty of expanding its platforms and its proximity to Bilbao and Iglesia. Decades later, it was repurposed as a museum space within the Andén 0 project. Its advertising posters, tiles, and original platforms allow visitors to see what the subway was like in the first half of the 20th century, while trains on Line 1 continue to pass without stopping.
The cultural heritage of the district also includes the Sorolla Museum House, located on General Martínez Campos Avenue. It was the home and studio of the painter Joaquín Sorolla and preserves works, furniture, and personal items. The Ministry of Culture considers it one of the best-preserved artist residences in Europe, and its gardens are one of its most characteristic features.
Thus, Chamberí brings together in just a few minutes restaurants and terraces with a ghost station and the former residence of Sorolla, a combination that has made it one of the trendy neighbourhoods of the capital.
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