Madrid Neighborhood Guide: 4 City Districts for Getting Off the Beaten Path

25.09.2024 - 14:41 / matadornetwork.com

The city of Madrid is filled with enough sights and activities to keep visitors entertained for weeks. While first-timers might be tempted to stick to popular areas like the central Sol-Gran Vía and regal Austrias districts, there are historic landmarks, picturesque plazas, and outstanding culinary offerings throughout the vibrant Spanish capital. You’d need a lifetime to fully explore Madrid’s 131 neighborhoods, each with its own personality showcasing a distinct part of everyday Madrileño life. But you can get a head start by venturing to these underrated neighborhoods that hold tons of appeal for travelers — beginning with the fact that they’re less touristy.

El Retiro Park. Photo: MADRID DESTINO

At first glance, Retiro won’t strike you as an underrated neighborhood. It is, after all, home to the lush El Retiro Park, a favorite open space among both tourists and locals, and the world-famous Museo Nacional del Prado. But the neighborhood itself gets far less attention than it deserves. Largely residential, Retiro has wide, attractive boulevards like Ibiza and Alcalde Sainz de Baranda that give it a similar layout to Barrio de Salamanca next door — and much like its neighbor, you’ll find lots of upscale boutiques lining the streets.

Designer shopping is just one example of the finer things found in El Retiro. Art is another. Stroll through the park to admire the stately cast-iron architecture of the 19th-century Glass Palace for a taste of the neighborhood’s style. When it’s time for a snack, stop by La Paz Market to sample local cheese, cured meats, and to try a Spanish omelet, as well as stock up on wine to take back home. Other traditional culinary offerings to check out include La Castela and Laredo, while there are plenty of modern options such as Arzabal and Bakan.

You’re not far from nightlife when you base in El Retiro, either. After dark, pop over to nearby Ibiza to find countless more restaurants and a huge number of bars. Housed in a 19th-century building, Florida Park alone is divided into five entertainment spaces and known to keep the party going all night long.

With 39 five-star hotels in the area, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing a luxurious place to stay. Bless Hotel Madrid specializes in feel-good elegance with personalized experiences and beauty treatments, while Rosewood Villa Magna will feel like your posh private villa in the middle of the prestigious tree-lined Paseo de la Castellana.

Conde Duque. Photo: MADRID DESTINO

West of the alternative and arty Malasaña district, you’ll find a small neighborhood with blurry borders called Conde Duque. This relatively new barrio got its name from Centro Cultural de Conde Duque, a military barracks turned cultural center.