Salamanca district
Madrid’s “golden mile”, quiet museums and one of the city’s best tortillas.
The Salamanca district was built in the 19th century as an extension of the city, with a grid of wide streets promoted by the Marquis of Salamanca. Today it is Madrid’s most elegant area: luxury shops, stately buildings, galleries and high-end restaurants.
For visitors it has two big draws: shopping (from international brands to Spanish labels) and several excellent, uncrowded museums. It also borders the Retiro, so it pairs easily with a walk in the park.
What to see
Calle Serrano and the “golden mile”
Serrano, Ortega y Gasset, Goya, Velázquez and Claudio Coello are home to luxury and fashion stores. Even if you are not shopping, the wide pavements and 19th-century facades make a pleasant walk.
National Archaeological Museum
On Calle Serrano, sharing a building with the National Library. Home to the Lady of Elche, the Visigothic Treasure of Guarrazar and fine Roman and Islamic collections. One of Madrid’s most underrated visits.
Lázaro Galdiano Museum
A mansion with a garden on Serrano holding José Lázaro Galdiano’s private collection: Spanish painting (Goya, El Greco, Zurbarán), enamels, jewellery and decorative arts. Allow an hour and a half.
Fundación Juan March
On Calle Castelló, with carefully curated temporary exhibitions and classical concerts, many of them free.
Plaza de Colón
At the western edge, with one of Spain’s largest flags and the Fernán Gómez theatre beneath the square.
Retiro Park
The Retiro borders the district along Calle Alcalá and Calle O’Donnell: enter by the Puerta de Alcalá or Calle Menéndez Pelayo to see the lake and the Crystal Palace.
Detailed guides: Retiro Park · Cibeles and Puerta de Alcalá
Where to eat and go for tapas
Mercado de la Paz on Calle Ayala is an old-style food market and home to Casa Dani, famous for its potato tortilla (go early, there is a queue at lunchtime). Bars around the market are good for a quiet vermouth.
The Jorge Juan, Lagasca and Ayala area concentrates modern Spanish restaurants and fashionable terraces. It is pricier than the old centre, but many places offer a set weekday lunch (menú del día) at reasonable prices.
Well-known places are mentioned for information only; we have no commercial relationship with them. Businesses change, so check opening hours before you go.
Getting around
Metro Serrano and Velázquez (line 4), Goya (lines 2 and 4), Núñez de Balboa (lines 5 and 9) and Retiro (line 2). Distances are longer than in the old town: from the Archaeological Museum to the Lázaro Galdiano is about 25 minutes on foot, or a few bus stops along Castellana or Serrano.
More detail in our metro and commuter train guide.
Tips
- A very safe, calm area and ideal on a rainy day: two museums, shopping and lunch indoors at the market.
- Many small shops close at lunchtime and on Sundays; department stores and chains usually open on Sundays too.
- The Movistar Arena (formerly WiZink Center), venue for big concerts and basketball, is on the edge of the district near Goya.
- To get back to the centre by metro from Serrano, line 4 connects with line 2 at Goya or line 10 at Alonso Martínez.