Shopping heaven on your doorstep

You have arrived in magnificent Madrid, a European capital with so much to offer, and decide that some shopping is in order. Well, your base at our NH Collection Madrid Suecia couldn’t be better placed, away from the frenetic main street but in short walking distance to three of Madrid hottest shopping scenes. Let me guide you through each of them.

Great shopping on Gran Vía

Just around the corner from us is the mouth of Gran Vía, a mile-long street leading into the very center of the city. Both sides of the road are filled with all your favorite high street fashion retailers, including the likes of Zara, Cortefiel, Adidas, DKNY, Mango and H&M, not to mention Spain’s largest Primark store. No matter what you’re looking for, you’re unlikely to go home empty handed. The mainstream brands take much of the commercial space and immense window displays catch the eye amidst the crowd. In between you are graced with spectacular architecture – each with their own story that you can investigate later – and tourist-orientated cafes, bars and restaurants are intermingled throughout. You’ll also have ample opportunity to pick up a little memento from your trip at the numerous souvenir shops along the way.

The trendiest side street

As you can probably imagine, a thoroughfare the size of Gran Vía through the center of the city is interconnected with a plethora of intriguing side streets, all with their own personal shopping identity. If time permits, check them all out, however if I had to pick just one that shouldn’t be missed it would be easy. Calle Fuencarral leads off at the Gran Vía metro station and is my favorite place in the whole of Madrid to pick up some new threads. Its pedestrianized walkway has its own unique vibe about it and I often find myself bouncing back and forth between the small doorways of Quicksilver, Levi’s, Camper, Gas, Calvin Klein and the rest.

All the latest Avant-garde trends can be found here and terraced squares give you the perfect excuse to top up your caffeine levels or sip on cool refreshments while admiring your new items, planning your next acquisition, or simply watching the eclectic mix of people going by.The danger of Calle Fuencarral is that, despite it being a side street to the dominant Grand Vía, it too offers a multitude of further avenues and lanes with so much more to tempt you. Shoe addicts beware of Calle Augusto Figueroa!

Boutiques with a twist: shopping delights

Likewise, the nearby neighborhood Barrio de las Salesas is another heavenly area for those who prefer a little twist to their shopping addiction. You will not find the main brands here but all sorts of small and unique boutiques that will make the experience unbeatable.

Try the interestingly named Margarita se Llama Mi Amo on Calle Fernando VI if you are looking for a blossoming understanding. This trendy flower shop is a beauty in itself, drenched in natural light, and will certainly fulfill anyone’s budding needs or, at the very least, live long in the nostrils with the incredible aromas that greet you. Two other shops on this delightful street are also worth a visit. Do Design offers a distinctive concept where fashion and design go hand-in-hand with light refreshment. Enjoy a nice cup of tea, for example, while checking out the latest trends or taking in an art exhibition. Yube on the other hand is a multi-brand shop that specializes in accessories. Although you’ll have the opportunity to purchase some of the more internationally known brands, the selection is carefully managed so that only the trendiest items make it to their prized shelves.

Worldwide collections and spoiling yourself

Calle del Barquillo provides an eclectic mix of bars, cafés and shops as it cuts through the neighborhood. Anclademar, at number 37, is a perfect example of the variation and a place where you can treat yourself to all sorts of items brought to Madrid from around the world. Nicaragua, Syria, Portugal, Africa… they all find a suitable place in here so pop in and indulge your intrigue. A little further along the street you’ll come across Shaheko – run by the man himself – where menswear design and quality combine to meet the taste of most. They also specialize in accessories, with a style described as between preppy and sporty, although smart casual is the main concept here.

The northern end of Calle del Barquillo connects with Calle Belén and at number 18 is a treat for those who like to start, finish or intertwine their shopping experience with a bit of a make-over. If that’s you, then Manu Moreno Make up & Hair is the place to complete your day. So, although you may be surrounded by museums, street culture and imposing capital buildings when you stay at our NH Collection Madrid Suecia, it’s nice to know that a shopping adventure is interwoven throughout our neighborhood.

About Pablo Rodríguez

Hello! My name is Pablo Rodríguez I became a part of the NH Hotel Group in 2015. After a long time living between London and Amsterdam I decided to come back to stay in the magnificent city of Madrid. I started working in the Guest Relations team, a role that I have a natural passion for. The most remarkable thing about my role is the opportunity to meet so many exciting people as well as to be part of very unexpected situations based on our customer’s requests. There is nothing more satisfying than to see a smile on a customer’s face after your interaction with them. That is really the biggest reward for me, to make someone happy. As a bonus, it also gives me the chance to get to know the city that I love in many ways so it’s always a WIN-WIN situation for me.