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.

In the AZCA complex, you can find some of the city’s most famous skyscrapers such as Torre Picasso, Torre Europa the current headquarters of BBVA and Castellana 81. In addition to the skyscrapers, it also has different lower levels, a maze of ground floor spaces and passageways through which thousands of people pass, both professionals and pedestrians indulging in a bit of shopping.

Around 4 kilometres from the area of Azca you can visit the incredible Cuatro Torres Business Area located on Paseo de la Castellana, in the area of Chamartín. Here, you’ll find the Eurostars Madrid Tower, a five-star hotel located in the Torre PwC building, which has a spa, a massage centre, and Volvoreta, a Mediterranean restaurant with an outdoor terrace area. In the Torre Caleido tower, you can also enjoy the Caleido space, which has a shopping and restaurant area with a wide variety of fashion brands and an array of international cuisines to choose from.

Technology and commercial chains

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, Gucci, Bvlgari or Michael Kors.

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. An area where it is also common to find clothing and accessory stalls in the form of a flea market.

The Castellana 200 commercial centre is located on the Paseo de la Castellana, with a surface area of around 8,500 square metres, which is home to first rate fashion firms. 

And for football fans, inside the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium  (on Calle Padre Damián, next to the entrance to the Presidential Box) is the new Real Madrid store where you can stock up on official merchandise.