The streets rising up from Plaza de Lavapiés toward La Latina and El Rastro form one of the most atmospheric parts of old Madrid: narrow, hilly, with washing lines above and tiled facades, bars that haven't changed since the 1960s, and a steady weekend procession toward the flea market. Calle del Ave María and Calle de Argumosa are the main social spines of the upper Lavapiés neighbourhood.
Calle de Argumosa in particular has become a terrace-bar street popular on summer evenings, with the advantage of being slightly less crowded than the Huertas area. The street gives good views back toward the Reina Sofía. Metro Lavapiés.