Of the 21 districts of Spain’s capital, Salamanca is one of the most historic, located in the northeast of the city. It lies surrounded by seven other areas and covers over 540 hectares of land. It is one of the richest districts and a very wealthy part of Madrid, hosting some of the most expensive streets in all of Spain.
The key appeal of Salamanca is its vast shopping opportunities, hosting some of Madrid’s wealthiest residents where the stores are upmarket and exclusive, perfect for fashion-conscious travellers, particularly on the streets of Serrano and Ortega y Gasset. Although many top designers sell along these roads, hidden gems among the smaller, local shops are also waiting to be found. The area is attractive in itself, with beautiful wide streets and impressive old mansions dating back to the 1800s, some of which people can visit, such as the niche Museo Lázaro Galdiano. Tourists can experience plenty of traditional cuisine in the classic Spanish cafes, restaurants and tapas bars, or stay in the grand hotels of the area.
As the Spanish capital, Madrid itself is easily accessible, hosting the major travel hubs of Barajas Airport and Madrid Airport, with shuttle services going directly into the city centre. While there, the district of Salamanca can be reached by the national rail, called RENFE, or via local buses. The metro runs throughout the city and stops at the stations of Serrano, Goya and Retiro in the heart of Salamanca.
Salamanca shows the development of bourgeois society during the improvement of Madrid. Entirely urbanised by 1927, the architecture of this district shows the city’s growth from once being enclosed within a town wall, to becoming open to the expansion of urban development once these walls were torn down. The title of the district is named after a local citizen involved in this project, who encouraged investment into the potential of Madrid.