Malasaña is the Brooklyn of Madrid.
Malasaña named the Brooklyn of Madrid
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Malasaña the Brooklyn of Madrid.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. Madrid's verdict went to Malasaña ahead of Lavapiés, Chueca and Carabanchel, which take the runner-up positions.
"We named Malasaña the Brooklyn of Madrid, and it was not a hard call. The place runs on its own clock, coffee at noon and out until five, a counterculture that aged into something comfortable without getting boring. Madrileños are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Malasaña's independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full Madrid verdict: brooklynof.com/madrid
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/madrid
Runner-up neighborhoods: Lavapiés, Chueca, Carabanchel
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.