10 Most Beautiful Streets to see in Madrid

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10 Most Beautiful Streets to see in Madrid

Madrid, Spain’s capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro.

It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters.

At the heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor.

Nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry.

From the grand boulevards to the minute alleys and side streets in Madrid each has very distinctive characters, giving you plenty to see and do.

Along the streets are earthy tapas joints and Cerveza pitstops, majestic palaces left over from the Moorish era, and plazas that hum and throb with life.

One of the most distinctive features of the Spanish capital is its walkability,  a compact city centre that easily connects the different neighbourhoods.

Discover 10 of the most charming streets to visit in Madrid.

1. Calle Fuencarral, Madrid, Spain

Image by Lourdes Cardenal from Wikimedia

Calle Fuencarral is one of the liveliest areas of the city.  Beginning at the Gran Vía, it extends until the Chamberí neighbourhood, although its nerve centre is in the Malasaña area.

The stretch up to the Bilbao roundabout, which is mainly pedestrianised, is full of shops with the most modern and commercial fashion brands. 

 It is home to various restaurants and cafeterias that are ideal to have a rest while out shopping and modern gastronomic spaces in San Ildefonso Market.

The History Museum displays objects of a diverse nature related to Madrid.

Step into the Fundación Telefónica Space, where a permanent exhibition on the History of Telecommunications can be seen.

This entire area is one of the most frequented in Madrid’s nightlife as there are many cocktail bars, discos, restaurants and theatres.

Tree-lined Calle Fuencarral draws the line between funky Malasaña and gay-friendly Chueca.

Life is slower here, with locals doing their shopping and enjoying coffee breaks.

2. Gran Via 28013 Madrid, Spain

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The historic Calle Gran Vía is a main artery within central Madrid.

It is lined with remarkable architecture, shopping, dining and entertainment options.

Running nearly a mile in length, the Gran Vía travels from Calle de Alcalá on the east, near the Plaza de Cibeles to the Plaza de España on the west.

Along the street, you’ll find a large number of notable buildings and examples of period architectural styles, famous plazas and public artwork.

As a major thoroughfare in Madrid, the Calle Gran Vía is travelled by visitors of all ages as they traverse the city.

Whether you’re quickly passing through on your way to another location in Madrid or you’re heading to one of the attractions along the street, this historic area is worth visiting.

The Calle Gran Vía can easily be reached via bus, car and metro.

3. Mayor Street, Madrid, Spain

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On the north side of the Plaza Mayor is Calle Mayor, Madrid’s main thoroughfare.

It was first laid out in the Middle Ages and connected the Alcazar, the site of the present-day Royal Palace, to a long-gone gate in the city wall.

The long street has been divided into three sections now – Almudena, Plateria, and Mayor.

A trip down Calle Mayor today is the highlight of Madrid. The street is lined with restaurants, bars, pubs and shops of every description.

The street begins near the Royal Palace at the Almudena Cathedral and runs east to the Gate of the Sun.

Along the way, you’ll pass Plaza de la Villa, Plaza de San Miguel, and just north of Plaza Mayor. Many small arcades and alleys lead off into shopping districts and more plazas.

The San Miguel market, where you can have a drink and have some delicious gourmet food, is also located along the street.

4. Calle  Huertas, 28014 Madrid, Spain

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Calle Huertas is the gateway to the enthralling Barrio de las Letras.

It carves straight into a beautiful district of tree-topped and café-filled Plaza del Angel before splintering into myriad side streets and alleys.

Almost fully pedestrianised, Huertas is a joy to wander and stroll.

It’s home to a few mid-sized palaces and occasionally opens onto bijou squares where Madrid locals clink coffees and flick the pages of newspapers.

Look out for the verses of Quevedo laid into the pavements, and come hungry if you can because this one place is a veritable tapas haven.

5.  Calle del Espíritu Santo, Madrid, Spain

Image by Lourdes Cardenal from Wikimedia

It is the most vintage street in Madrid.

Calle del Espíritu Santo in the heart of Malasaña is a typical neighbourhood street with a unique mix of street art, cobblestones and coffee shops.

Along this road, near San Bernardo Street and Corredera Alta de San Pablo Street, there are many clothing stores and second-hand shops.

It’s very crowded on weekends because it’s one of the main attractions of the Malasaña neighbourhood.

Here you’ll see locals walking their dogs, dragging their bikes along and chatting with friends.

Enjoy a delicious lunch at Greek & Shop on the corner, grab a coffee at the retro-chic Lolina Vintage Café, drop by Happy Day for a cupcake or kick back with a cocktail at Vacaciones Bar.

If local charm is what you’re looking for, this street is definitely one you shouldn’t skip.

6. Paseo de la Castellana, 28003 Madrid, Spain

Image by Luis Garcia from Wikimedia

commonly known as La Castellana, is a major street in Madrid,

The Paseo de la Castellana is the axis of the entire Spanish capital. It bisects a great portion of the metropolis from north to south.

Here you will experience the roaring football terraces of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium to the soaring  Christopher Columbus monument. 

There’s plenty to discover along its length. Perhaps you’ll drop in to watch the soccer stars of Real Madrid take to the turf.

Amid all that, the Paseo also links some key business areas – AZCA, CTBA – for those on a working trip to Madrid.

7. Calle de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain

Image by Alvaro Jaramillo from Wikimedia

Calle de Alcalá is among the longest streets in Madrid. It starts at the Puerta del Sol and goes on for 11 km, to the northeastern outskirts of the city. 

Calle de Alcalá picks up from Gran Via and continues the stream of magnificent architecture, from the  Puerta del Sol to the picture-perfect Palacio de Cibeles.

Along the way, you can enjoy the city’s most stunning views from the Azotea rooftop terrace of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, as well as from the impressive Banco de España building.

8. Paseo del Prado, 28014 Madrid, Spain

The Paseo del Prado is a culture rich stretch despite being just shy of 1 km from end to end.

Things start in the north at the Fuente de Cibeles and run south to the Estación del Arte metro stop.

Follow the Paseo del Prado to the Naval Museum.

Or there’s the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, which includes masterworks by Vincent Van Gogh and Canaletto.

Finish your walk at the Museo Nacional del Prado a repository of priceless Spanish art.

9.  Calle de Bailén, Madrid, Spain

Image by Juanillotn from Wikimedia

Without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most beautiful streets in Madrid is Calle De Bailen.

Along this street, you will find architectural gems such as Catedral Santa Maria La Real Almudena, Plaza de Oriente, Plaza De Espana and many more stunning sites.

Additionally, there are many bars and restaurants making it one great street to walk along.

it is most definitely well worth checking out if you are planning a holiday to Madrid.

The area of Jardines Sabatini or Campo del Moro has a romantic backdrop for a picnic and some entertaining street musicians.

The place also offers visitors a perfect background for photographing landscapes and monuments.

10. Calle de Segovia, 28005 Madrid, Spain

Image by Esetena from Wikimedia

Calle de Segovia offers the best access to all to the famous gardens and palaces on the west side of Madrid.

It links the sights and sounds of Centro to the meanders of the Manzanares River.

It’s possible to enter lovely parks and historical complexes from almost anywhere on Calle de Segovia .

First, there’s the fountain-gushing Parque de Atenas, a land of ornate water features and romantic arbours.

Marvel at the remains of the Muralla Árabe, the  Moorish fortifications of the city, which pave the way to the  Palacio Real de Madrid.

Explore  Madrid our suggested beautiful streets and get to learn and enjoy.

By strolling in the suggested streets you will take in the spirit of places like Chueca, Huertas or Malasaña neighbourhoods.

Discover Madrid in a way that will make your stay in Spain unforgettable.