Shopping: Azca-Castellana

Considered to be the financial hub of the Spanish capital, AZCA is the district where the most iconic skyscrapers and office buildings are to be found. Characterised by the hustle and bustle of daily business activity, it offers restaurants and coffee shops, shops selling clothes and accessories, and department stores.

The AZCA Complex is the beating heart of the district. It stands north of the city, bounded by Paseo de la Castellana, Calle de Orense, Calle de Raimundo Fernández Villaverde and Avenida del General Perón. The original design, inspired by New York’s Rockefeller Center is by architect Antonio Perpiñá, from 1957. It was approved in 1964. When construction work started, the area was still in the suburbs of Madrid.

Together with the Cuatro Torres Business Area, in Chamartín, AZCA features some of the most amazing skyscrapers in Madrid, including Torre Picasso, Torre Europa and the BBVA headquarters in Madrid – a maze of upper floors and ground-level hallways negotiated by thousands of people every day.

Since this is a business area, you can find a high number of mobile and tech stores. However, it’s also a district for fashionistas. El Corte Inglés has one of its largest department stores in La Castellana, with direct access from the Nuevos Ministerios underground station and stands from luxury fashion and jewellery brands like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior or Gucci.

Most fashion and décor retailers have their shops on or around Calle de Orense: Zara, Mango, Promod, H&M, Intimissimi, Hema, Soloio, Springfield, Sfera, and others. Fashion is also the star on Avenida del General Perón, where you’ll find less popular, alternative brands like Compañía Fantástica.

The area even features a shopping centre: Moda Shopping Mall, where you can buy jewellery, beauty products, gifts or household goods, or browse for a fancy dress or a pair of shoes in top-brand shops like Purificación García, Roberto Verino, Geox, Sebago, Naf Naf, Benetton, Adolfo Domínguez or Bimba & Lola. In addition, Moda Shopping often plays host to free-admission exhibitions and fairs.