Salamanca
Salamanca: the back story
Neighbourhood guide
About Salamanca: the back story
Salamanca was laid out in the 19th century as a grid of broad streets east of the Paseo de Recoletos. Today Serrano and Ortega y Gasset hold the luxury flagships, Jorge Juan the restaurants, and the Mercado de la Paz feeds the neighbourhood.
Shopping
Calle de Serrano and Ortega y Gasset for the flagships; the Mercado de la Paz on Calle de Ayala.
Eating
Ramón Freixa Atelier (Two MICHELIN Stars) on Velázquez; Bib Gourmands Treze, Varra and Tres por Cuatro.
Shop in the morning, lunch on Jorge Juan.
Museums
The Museo Lázaro Galdiano, a collector’s house, is at the north end of the district.
Our advice: walk the side streets; many of the best shops are off Serrano.
Why it's on our list
- Shopping
- Eating
- Museums
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Salamanca: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Salamanca: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro stations
- VelázquezL4250 m3 min walk
- GoyaL2L4450 m6 min walk
- Príncipe de VergaraL2L9500 m6 min walk
Key sights
- El Retiro1.4 kmWalk 17 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 8 min
- Thyssen-Bornemisza1.7 kmWalk 21 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Museo del Prado1.8 kmWalk 22 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Puerta del Sol2.3 kmWalk 28 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Museo Reina Sofía2.4 kmWalk 30 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Plaza Mayor2.6 kmWalk 32 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Santiago Bernabéu3.0 kmWalk 37 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 12 min
- Royal Palace3.0 kmWalk 38 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 12 min
- Templo de Debod3.2 kmWalk 39 minCycle 13 minCar or taxi 13 min
- Madrid-Barajas Airport12 kmCar or taxi 36 min
Main railway stations
- Sol (Cercanías)2.2 kmWalk 28 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Nuevos Ministerios (Cercanías)2.3 kmWalk 29 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Madrid Puerta de Atocha2.3 kmWalk 29 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Príncipe Pío3.3 kmWalk 42 minCycle 13 minCar or taxi 13 min
- Madrid Chamartín5.3 kmCycle 21 minCar or taxi 18 min