One of the city's most important squares is Puerta del Sol. The name of this place means the gate of the sun, and although the name may come as a surprise today, because the square is located in the city center, in the 15th century an eastern entrance gate to the city was located there.

The office of the president of the autonomous Community of Madrid is located in the square. There is also a sculpture from 1967 depicting a bear leaning against a strawberry tree - a symbol from the coat of arms. The square is also a memorial site. There are two commemorative plaques, one commemorating the rebels against Napoleon's invasion of Spain on May 2, 2808, and the other victims of the bombings of March 11, 2004.