Chueca is actually part of the larger administrative zone known as Justicia. It is in the western part of Justicia.

Although the architecture in Chueca is some of the most traditional in Madrid, the neighborhood is anything but. It is the center of the LGBTQ+ community in Madrid and has some of the city’s most vibrant cafes, restaurants and clubs. After the huge success of 2017 WorldPride, which was the largest Pride event in Europe (over 2 million people attended) and the second largest in the world, it has become one of the world’s top LGBTQ+ destinations. During Madrid Pride the neighborhood is the center of all the celebrations.

The heart of the neighborhood is Plaze de Chueca, named after Madrid musician Federico Chueca, a composer of Madrid’s zarzuela music. Terraces line the delightful square which, when the weather is good, are filled with people drinking, eating, sunning themselves and people watching. Nearby is Plaza de Pedro Zerolo, named in honor of the Spanish politician Pedro Zerolo, one of the most important activists in the LGBTQ+ community to fight in Spain for LGBT rights. He was one of the biggest promoters of the LGBT marriage law, approved 3th of July 2005, and was as also responsible for the sexual identity law that recognized transsexual rights.

Chueca lies to the north of the Grand Vía, roughly between Calle Fuencarral and Paseo de Recoletos. From Plaza de Chueca, trendy boutiques and interesting restaurants spill out in all directions. Many of the balconies and businesses in Plaza de Chueca proudly display the rainbow flag; it also lines the walls of the Chueca Metro Station. During Pride, a giant rainbow flag is flown in the Plaza de Pedro Zerolo for the course of the event.

Plaza del Rey is a lesser known, but very beautiful square in the southeast of Chueca. It is a very peaceful plaza that contains the House of Seven Chimneys, one of the few remaining civil examples of sixteenth century architecture in Madrid. Rather obviously, its name refers to the seven chimneys found on its roof. For years it was rumored to be haunted. When the building was restored at the turn of the nineteenth century, workers discovered the skeleton of a woman together with some gold coins, dating back to the sixteenth century. They don’t know who she is or who killed her- some think it was King Philip, who commissioned the house so he could have a place to rendezvous secretly with his lovers.

Chueca’s western border is Calle Fuencarral, one of Madrid’s most important streets for shopping. It is lined with bars, restaurants, boutiques and international brands such as Intimissimi, Lush and MUJI.