Azca
Between the Paseo de la Castellana and the Calle Orense
This business and commercial area is known for its avant-garde buildings as the Torre Europa, Torre Picasso and the building of Bilbao Viscaya Bank
Lavapies Neighborhood
This was a Hebrew neighbourhood and was where the Jewish community of Madrid settled. Today, it still preserves the old fashioned Madrid air, although lately it stands out because of the multicultural environment of the inhabitants. In this neighbourhood you will find La Corrala de Mesón de Paredes which was declared an Artistic Historical Monument. The yards are popular 16th century housing with galleries and common services and in the patios the neighbours used to spend most of their time.
Alcalá Street
It is one of the most important roads in the city, not only because it is home to one of the main economic centers of Madrid, but also because it has been extending through time and presently it travels as far as north the Arturo Soria Street. The section that interests us most is where it ends, at the Plaza de Ventas.
Arenal Street
It was an old sandy road during medieval times; but today this road leads to the Royal Palace from Puerta del Sol and has numerous buildings from the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.
Atocha Street
At number 85 Calle Atocha there are still remains of the old printing press of Juan de la Cuesta, from where the first copies of don Quijote were reproduced
Felipe IV Street
This is one of the most beautiful streets in the city. It is perpendicular to the Paseo del Prado and has big buildings such as The Hotel Ritz on one side, the Prado Museum on the other side and the Church of Jerónimos at the back.
San Bernardo Street
Its original layout connected this road to the neighbourhood of Fuencarral. Small humble homes were built along this road and at the end of the 17th century it became the residence of the high bourgeoisie and nobility of Madrid The Marquises de Grimaldo y Villena, the Dukes of Altamira, the Dukes of Montealegre and the Dukes of Talada had homes here.
Nuncio Street
A beautiful street that becomes alive in the summer with the outdoor terraces of the various cafes. Taking a stroll down this road in the evening is very pleasant.
Calle Mayor
During the 18th century the court used this street for taking strolls, but today there are hardly any remains of the old constructions. On this street there are the best jewellers, silversmiths, embroiders, shoemakers and handicraft shops.
Montera Street
It was one of the most travelled roads in the 19th century thanks to the great number of shops. Nowadays little has changed since it continues to attract tourists and Madrid natives to its cinemas and many stores that are located in this area.
Serrano Street
It is one of the most elegant streets of the city. It takes the name of the General Serrano, an important figure during the last and risky decades of the 19th century.
Callejon de Álvarez Gato
This street is famous for its two mirrors, one concave and the other convex. The reflections in these mirrors were used by Valle Inclán as a metaphor for the grotesque which was his way of depicting the distorted vision of Spanish reality at the end of the 19th century.
Cava Baja
In this street and the other parallel street called Cava Alta, there are all types of bars, taverns and restaurants. Today, this is where you will find the most typical old restaurants of the capital.
Cuesta de Moyano
This street is famous for its book stalls. Here second-hand books, editorial novelties or old editions are sold. All kinds of people come to visit, whether they just want to take a look around.
Gran Vía
It is one of the most representative images of Madrid, with many cinemas. Shopping centers and some interesting buildings, which were true innovations in Spanish architecture when they were built. This street was created at the beginning of the 20th century and was very controversial since many buildings had to be demolished on order to make it.
La Latina
It is one of the most traditional areas of Madrid. Old houses flank its streets; some of the buildings are in ruins, but fortunately they are being rehabilitated.
Nuevos Ministerios
Paseo de la Castellana
In 1932 and by the order of Indalecio Prieto the Minister of Public Works, this group of buildings was built Ander the direction of Secundino Zuazo and the German Hermann Jansen.
