Guide on Main Shopping Areas in Madrid
Although almost every neighborhood in Madrid is teaming with chain stores and/or independently owned stores, the city’s main shopping areas are as follows:
Gran Via
Gran Via, the large road connecting Alcala and Plaza de España, offers mainly chain clothing stores, such as Bershka, Sfera, Punto Roma, H&M and Zara. Many Madrileños shop in this area due to its central location and the fact that the shops offer competitive prices and a wide array of sizes. Plus the close proximity to Sol and other interesting shopping areas makes detours a comfortable option.
Metro: Gran Via and Callao
La Puerta del Sol
The Puerta del Sol has a lot in common with Gran Via. However it is slightly more diverse, with the three-building Cortes Ingles department store, FNAC electronics superstore, mobile phone stores and smaller touristy shops. This jumble of department stores and smaller shops share the same streets as chain clothing stores Mango, Zara, Pimkie, Miss Sixty and H & M. Sol caters primarily to tourists, but Spaniards also brave the plaza’s crowded streets to visit their favorite stores. The main shopping streets in Sol are Arenal, Preciados and Carmen.
Metro: Sol
Malasaña
Malasaña is a haven for people who find the chain store monopolies mediocre and bland. This bohemian neighborhood is home to more alternative and independent shops that sell skater, goth, rocker and punk wear. The area also has a nice selection of vintage and second hand shops. The neighborhood’s primary street, Fuencarral, is more commercial than the smaller streets that wind around it. However, even Fuencarral’s designer stores are aimed at a young hipster crowd, sporting brands such as Diesel, Puma and Miss Sixty.
Metro: Tribunal
Malasaña Shops (Of Particular Interest)
Templo De Susu (for second hand and vintage clothes)
Espíritu Santo, 1
T: 91 523 31 22
La Morgue (Goth clothing and accessories)
Espiritu Santo 2
T: 91 521 01 84
Upbeat Records (Clothing and music store)
Espiritu Santo 6
T: 91 522 7660
Cheuca
Chueca, like Malasaña, is predominantly made up of small, independent shops and boutiques. Chueca is Madrid’s gay neighborhood and, therefore, has a large selection of men’s casual clothing stores. Chueca is also known as the neighborhood for shoe shopping, but don’t expect to find gym shoes or practical footwear, Chueca’s shoe stores are all about fashion. Furthermore, Chueca is also home to a wide variety of sex shops – some classier than others – and gay themed bookstores.
Metro: Chueca
Salamanca
The district of Salamanca offers the priciest side of Madrid shopping and boasts all of the biggest designer stores, including Gucci, Prada and Tommy Hilfiger. The main shopping streets are Serrano, Velaquez and Goya. There is a huge array of clothing shops, including some chains, but also jewelry and furniture stores and a large Cortes Ingles department store.
Metro: Serrano, Velazquez, Goya
Salamanca Shops
Gucci
C/ Serrano 49
T: 914 311 717
Prada
C/ Goya 4
T: 914 312 459
Tommy Hilfiger
C/ Serrano 6
T: 917 812 366
Cortes Ingles
C/ Goya 76
T: 914 329 300
