Madrid, the capital city of Spain, is divided into 21 districts. Each district has its own unique character and history that has contributed to the development of the city as a whole. In this article, we will explore the history and background of each district in Madrid and highlight some of their most notable features.
Lucky for us, the offical Tourist Office of Madrid created a wonderful interactive map of each district.
Table of Contents
Centro
Centro: Centro is the heart of Madrid, and it contains the city’s most famous landmarks and tourist attractions, such as Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Gran Via. The district is also known for its nightlife, with many bars, restaurants, and clubs.
Arganzuela
Arganzuela is located in the south of Madrid and is known for its parks and green spaces, such as Madrid Rio and the Enrique Tierno Galván Park. It also contains some of the city’s most important cultural centers, including the Matadero Madrid and the Madrid Planetarium.
Retiro
Retiro is home to the famous Retiro Park, one of the largest parks in Madrid. It also contains many museums and galleries, such as the Prado Museum and the Reina Sofia Museum, and is known for its elegant architecture.
Salamanca
Salamanca is one of Madrid’s most exclusive neighborhoods, known for its high-end shops, restaurants, and bars. It also contains many embassies and diplomatic residences and is home to the famous El Retiro Market.
Chamartín
Chamartín is located in the north of Madrid and is a popular residential area. It is also home to some of the city’s most important business centers, such as the Cuatro Torres Business Area and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of the Real Madrid football club.
Tetuán
Tetuán is a diverse district with a mix of residential and commercial areas. It is home to many immigrants from around the world and has a vibrant cultural scene. It also contains the famous Paseo de la Castellana, one of the city’s main avenues.
Chamberí
Chamberí is a charming district with a mix of residential and commercial areas. It contains many parks, such as the Parque Canal de Isabel II, and churches like the Basilica Parroquia La Milagrosa, one of the best examples of eclectic architecture characteristic of Madrid churches of that time. The exterior features Neo-Mudéjar architecture while the interior features mainly Neo-Gothic.
Fuencarral-El Pardo
Fuencarral-El Pardo is located in the north of Madrid and is known for its natural beauty, with many parks and green spaces. It also contains some of the city’s most important shopping centers, such as the Plaza Norte 2 and the Heron City.
Moncloa-Aravaca
Moncloa-Aravaca is a district located in the west of Madrid and is home to many important educational institutions, such as the Complutense University of Madrid and the Technical University of Madrid. It also contains many cultural centers, such as the Lope de Vega Theater.
Latina
Latina is located in the southwest of Madrid and is known for its vibrant cultural scene. It contains many theaters, cinemas, and art galleries, as well as the famous Casa de Campo Park.
Carabanchel
Carabanchel is a diverse district with a mix of residential and commercial areas. It contains many important historical sites, such as the San Isidro Museum and the Puente de Toledo.
Usera
Usera is a district located in the south of Madrid and is home to many immigrants from Asia and Latin America. It is known for its diverse food scene and is home to many cultural centers, such as the Usera Cultural Center.
Puente de Vallecas
Puente de Vallecas is a district located in the southeast of Madrid and is known for its working-class neighborhoods. It is also home to many important cultural centers, such as the Vallecas Theater and the Entrevías Cultural Center.
Moratalaz
Moratalaz is a residential district located in the east of Madrid. It is known for its quiet streets and green spaces, such as the Parque de la Cuña Verde de O’Donnell and the Laberinto del Parque de Valdebernardo.
Ciudad Lineal
Ciudad Lineal is located in the northeast of Madrid and is known for its bustling commercial areas. It contains many shopping centers, such as the Arturo Soria Plaza and the Alcalá Norte.
Hortaleza
Hortaleza is a district located in the northeast of Madrid and is known for its multicultural population. It contains many parks and green spaces, such as the Parque Juan Carlos I and the Parque de la Quinta de los Molinos.
Villaverde
Villaverde is located in the south of Madrid and is known for its industrial areas. It is home to many factories and warehouses, as well as the Cementerio Municipal de Villaverde and the San Cristóbal Industrial Park.
Villa de Vallecas
Villa de Vallecas is a residential district located in the southeast of Madrid. It is known for its modern architecture and green spaces, such as the Cerro del Tío Pío Park and the Vallecas Municipal Forest Park.
Vicálvaro
Vicálvaro is located in the southeast of Madrid and is known for its agricultural history. It contains many farms and orchards, as well as the Vicálvaro Cultural Center and the San Cipriano Park.
San Blas-Canillejas
San Blas-Canillejas is located in the east of Madrid and is known for its business centers. It contains many industrial parks and office buildings, as well as the El Capricho Park and the Plenilunio Shopping Center.
Barajas
Barajas is located in the northeast of Madrid and is known for its airport, the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. It also contains many historical sites, such as the Castillo de la Alameda and the Parque El Capricho de la Alameda de Osuna.
