Shopping: Bravo Murillo

Bravo Murillo is a very long street (more than 4 kilometres), cutting across some of Madrid’s most traditional and iconic neighbourhoods, from central, historic districts to working-class neighbourhoods to northern suburbs, more modern and cosmopolitan. It offers an interesting shopping itinerary where you’ll find variety, a lively atmosphere… and a bargain or two.

The street begins at the Quevedo roundabout, in the district of Chamberí, where you can spot a few interesting specialist stores. Ñaco (Quevedo, 5) you’ll find children’s clothes, and women’s outfits at Elisabeth Cross (Bravo Murillo, 4). They’re all fine examples of small business with character. Other shops include the jewellers Veracruz (Bravo Murillo, 279); the bakery, pastry shop and organic products store La Magdalena de Proust (Bravo Murillo, 54); and the wine merchant Bodega Santa Cecilia (Bravo Murillo, 50) which has a tasting room and offers advice thanks to their expert in-house sommeliers.

From the roundabout, head north. Still in Chamberí, you can get at sweet treat at Mallorca (Bravo Murillo, 7) or gourmet olive oil and other delicatessen at La Chinata (Bravo Murillo, 4). Specialist bookshops have mushroomed in the vicinity of the UNED headquarters (Bravo Murillo, 38). The National Distance Education University, UNED, is the largest Spanish university in terms of the number of students. The headquarters include a university bookshop. There’s also Sanz y Torres (Bravo Murillo, 45), selling most UNED textbooks.

At the Cuatro Caminos roundabout, Bravo Murillo Street comes to one of the busiest parts of town, marking the beginning of one of the most commercial sections. The Mercado de Maravillas – the largest municipal market in the city of Madrid, is an essential stop on your tour, where renowned chefs regularly come to buy quality produce – is a must here. The most popular fashion retailers have their shops in this section too: Etam, Lefties, Springfield, Mango (outlet), and others.

On the way to Plaza de Castilla, you’ll walk past the working-class neighbourhoods of Tetuán and Estrecho, where you’ll find retail stores of international chains like C&A or Mulaya, and another lively food market, the Tetuán Town Market.

Past Plaza de Castilla, you can browse the stalls at the big street market along Avenida de Asturias (open on Sunday and public holidays). Previously held on Calle del Marqués de Viana, this popular market used to be known as ‘Tetuán’s Rastro’.