A Walking Tour of Puente de Vallecas

<p>In this episode, I take you on a self-guided walking tour of Puente de Vallecas: one of Madrid's most fascinating and overlooked working-class neighbourhoods. From its industrial origins and Civil War history to flamenco, Venezuelan street food, and one of the best sunsets in the city, this is a full day out that will make you see Madrid differently.</p><ul><li>The difference between <strong>Puente de Vallecas</strong> and <strong>Villa de Vallecas</strong> — and why it matters</li><li>The neighbourhood's history: from industrial district to shantytown to Civil War battleground</li><li>Why the M-30 ring road has shaped (and divided) this part of the city</li><li>The story of <strong>Robert Capa's house</strong> on Calle Peroncel, the controversy over its future, and the wider debate about Civil War memory in Spain</li><li>Beautiful <strong>1920s tiled facades</strong> on Avenida de Monte Igueldo, including a surviving lechería (milk bar) front</li><li>Lunch at <strong>Teke Madrid</strong> — Venezuelan street food including <em>papitas de yuca</em> and <em>tequeños</em></li><li><strong>Neo-mudéjar brickwork houses</strong> hidden throughout the neighbourhood</li><li>The elegant <strong>Boulevard de Peña Gorbea</strong> and its 1920s apartment blocks</li><li>The statue of the <strong>Abuela Rockera</strong> — Vallecas's very own rock grandmother</li><li><strong>Bar La Bombonera de Vallecas</strong> — a local antifascist institution</li><li><strong>Rayo Vallecano</strong> — La Liga's working-class club, <em>el orgullo de la clase obrera</em></li><li>Drinks at <strong>La Trinchera</strong>, a rock and punk live venue inside the Mercado de Numancia</li><li>Flamenco at <strong>Taberna Flamenca El Cotijo</strong> — and why it's the best-value flamenco in Madrid</li><li>Dinner at <strong>Restaurante Puerto Fonce Badón</strong>: <em>huevos rotos con morcilla</em> for two at €14</li><li>Watching the sunset from <strong>Cerro del Tío Pío</strong> (Las Siete Tetas) — and the remarkable story of what those hills are made from</li><li>The <strong>Batalla Naval de Vallecas</strong> — Madrid's giant annual water pistol fight every July</li></ul><p><br /></p><ul><li>📚 <a href="https://www.themakingofmadrid.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Quiet Madrid</em> — Felicity's guide to the quieter side of the city</a></li><li>🎧 <a href="https://www.themakingofmadrid.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Audio tours of Madrid</a></li></ul>