My Favorite Places
Barrio Salamanca
If your budget is unlimited, then it is without a doubt lovely for you to go shopping at Prada, Armani, Loewe in Serrano Street and the surrounding streets of Barrio Salamanca. If not, then you can still do some window shopping or just take a look at all the people who are walking there. Also side by side with the expensive brands are affordable stores like Zara, Massimo Dutti or El Corte Inglés department store.
Calle Fuencarral
Calle Fuencarral leads from Gran Via, via Glorieta de Bilbao to Glorieta de Quevedo and is one large shopping street. Glorieta de Bilbao is a hip shopping street with famous brands and a young audience. Glorieta de Quevedo is a quiet local shopping street, where mothers with children shop and go to playgrounds.
Alpargateria Casa Hernanz
At Alpargateria Casa Hernanz are espadrilles being made since 1840 . The whole of Madrid knows this store and when the summer begins it can be really busy here. The espadrilles are available from baby sizes up to size 50, and also in over 50 colours.
Callejón de Jorge Juan
Small coloured houses and many plants form the backdrop of Callejón de Jorge Juan, one of the cutest streets of Madrid. The shops here are small but fine, so to speak. Hip, Parisian brands such as Isabel Marant, Vanessa Bruno and American Vintage, have opened their boutiques here.
Princípe Pío
Príncipe Pío shopping centre, located in a 19th century train station in Madrid is truly a shopping mall. You can find shops of all major brands, a food court and a movie theater. A must for shop lovers, especially on a rainy day.
Mercado San Miguel
Since 1916 this covered market of iron and glass in the heart of old Madrid, sold meat, fish and vegetables. First time to local residents, nowadays especially to gourmets. Even more fun than past all the walk and culinary souvenirs stalls (from cheese to wine), is to eat up all the goodies you bought on the spot.
Mercado del Libro
All year round you can rummage between (antique) books on the mercado del libro, a row of wooden books stalls in the Cuesta de Moyano. You will find everything: old books, antique books and discount. In stall 15 books sold from 1 euro.
El rastro
Madrid’s great outdoor El Rastro flea market is held every Sunday morning. For the best bargains you go very early (from 8 o’clock!). Follow from metro stop La Latina the row of people to the stalls with clothes, souvenirs, leather goods, toys and books. After a round of Rastro the people usually go eat Madrid tapas in La Latina and all day it remains still very cozy in this neighbourhood.