Barrio de Salamanca

The basics

To visit this posh and conservative quarter for shopping and sightseeing, plan to stroll the streets north of Goya Street. Find several designer boutiques along Serrano Street, including Prada, Chanel, and Dior, and a few moderately-priced retailers like H&M, Zara, and COS. As you walk, you can detour to the Puerta de Alcalá, stroll the walkways of Retiro Park, and find the world’s grandest Spanish flag flying in Plaza de Colón.

Things to know before you go

• Be prepared to spend big bucks in the Barrio de Salamanca, since the neighborhood is known for high-end dining and shopping.
• Art enthusiasts can stop by Fundación Juan March, a museum on Calle de Castelló.
• Don't miss two key landmarks: the Puerta de Alcalá, an archway at the gateway of Retiro Park, and the Plaza de Colón, which features a Christopher Columbus statue.

How to get there

The Barrio de Salamanca is walkable from Madrid's central tourist districts, but also easily accessible by metro. Take metro line 4 to the Serrano or Velázquez stops, or the 5 or 9 trains to the Núñez de Balboa stop. You can also hop on a Madrid sightseeing tour, private chauffeured tour, or tuk-tuk tour. Many stop nearby, and typically include a visit to Retiro Park, just south of Salamanca.

When to get there

There's really no bad time to visit the Barrio de Salamanca, so plan to explore when it suits your preferred activities. Shoppers can visit early till late, but should avoid Sundays (when many of the area's boutiques are closed) and midday (when stores are shuttered for siesta). Restaurants here are open late, since Madrileños are known to eat dinner late.

Fine Dining and Tapas in Salamanca

The eateries in the Barrio de Salamanca are standout, and the options are diverse. Find regional Spanish cuisine—including seafood-heavy Galician and Asturian restaurants and the grilled meats typical of Basque cuisine. For a market experience, the Mercado de la Paz is a top choice, and the gourmet food court at Platea is perfect for sampling tapas. For cocktails with a view, head to El Corte Inglés, a high-end department store with rooftop dining.