✨ At The Sun Places we know that luxury has an address in Madrid: the Salamanca District. More than a district, it is a destination in itself, a place where time stands still between 19th-century facades and dreamlike shops.
In 2026, this neighbourhood reaffirms itself as the beating heart of European luxury, a space where exclusivity, history and pleasure go hand in hand. Its streets, laid out in a perfect grid over 150 years ago, are today an open-air museum of luxury brands and haute cuisine.
To experience this, we invite you to stay in our Luxury Apartments in Madrid, the perfect refuge to feel at home in the most sought-after area of the capital.
The Salamanca District is not just a picture of luxury; it is the district that has managed to reinvent itself without losing its aristocratic essence.
Today, it combines the charm of its 19th-century architecture with one of the most sophisticated commercial and gastronomic offerings in the world.
In 2026, its appeal has only grown, attracting visitors from all corners of the planet seeking to experience the best of Madrid.
It is the preferred choice for lovers of good taste and for those who consider shopping and fine dining an art. And at the centre of it all, The Sun Places awaits you with its luxury apartments to turn your visit into an unforgettable experience.
📜 What is the history of the Salamanca District?
The history of the Salamanca District dates back to the second half of the 19th century, when the Castro Plan of 1860 drove the expansion of Madrid. It was the visionary businessman and banker from Málaga, José de Salamanca y Mayol, 1st Marquis of Salamanca, who gave the district its name.
His idea was to create a new neighbourhood for the Madrid aristocracy and bourgeoisie, a space of large city blocks and elegant streets that could rival the Parisian boulevards.
José de Salamanca invested a fortune in acquiring land, although the operation led him to ruin, and he died in 1883 without seeing the neighbourhood finished.
His dream did not end there. Its streets, designed with a regular grid-like layout, were fully urbanised by 1927, and over time, the area became the residence of the country's political, economic and diplomatic elites, a character it maintains to this day.
What were initially three-storey single-family homes with interior courtyards and wide carriage portals, today houses some of the most important architectural and commercial gems of the city.
🛍️ Where are the main luxury streets of the Salamanca District?
Luxury in the Salamanca District is concentrated in a handful of streets that form the famous "Golden Mile". Walking along them is to walk through the showcase of global fashion and trends.
- Serrano Street: It is the main commercial artery and the heart of the Golden Mile. Its pavements are lined with the flagship stores of the world's most prestigious brands: from Loewe, Chanel, Dior and Gucci, to renowned jewellers such as Suárez, Tiffany, Chocrón, and the first boutique of the exclusive Swiss watch brand Tudor that opened in 2025. The average spend in this area is one of the highest in Europe
- Ortega y Gasset Street: Parallel to Serrano, this street has been completely revitalised, reaching 100% occupancy of its premises. Here, high-end brands such as Cartier, Valentino and Hermès mix with art galleries, turning a simple stroll into a premium cultural experience
- Velázquez Street: With a more sober and tranquil elegance, this street combines luxury retail with residential buildings and corporate offices. It is home to emblematic hotels such as the Hotel Wellington and designer shops that seek an exclusive and peaceful clientele
- Callejón de Jorge Juan: This semi-pedestrian oasis between Serrano and Velázquez is the neighbourhood's best-kept secret. A corner with a unique European charm, where the terraces of trendy restaurants and cocktail bars become the epicentre of nightlife, attracting an elegant and cosmopolitan crowd. It is the place where fashion meets haute cuisine.
🍽️ Which Michelin-starred restaurants are in the Salamanca District?
The Salamanca District is a gastronomic paradise. Alongside its elegant shops, some of the temples of Madrid's haute cuisine are hidden, including several awarded by the Michelin Guide. For the most demanding palate, these are mandatory stops:
- Kabuki Wellington: This temple of Japanese-Mediterranean fusion, with a Michelin Star, is led by master Ricardo Sanz. Located in the elegant Hotel Wellington, its proposal turns sushi and Spanish ingredients into an experience of gastronomic art.
- Gaytán: Chef Javier Aranda holds a Michelin Star at this restaurant, known for its spectacular circular space open to the kitchen. Here, creativity and technique become a sensory show for the diner.
- Barbudo: One of the most anticipated openings, the result of a collaboration between chef José Carlos Fuentes (with a Michelin star) and renowned mixologist Juan Lizárraga. Barbudo reinvents traditional Madrid cuisine in the heart of the neighbourhood, offering everything from honest recipes in its dining room to signature tapas at its bar.
- Other temples of fine dining: In addition to the stars, the neighbourhood is home to other gastronomic icons such as the steakhouse La Ancha, the Cantabrian cuisine of Cañadío, the grill restaurant Carbón, and an excellent representation of the Italian dolce vita at Numa Pompilio and Bel Mondo. Every corner is an opportunity for a feast.
🎉 What exclusive events are held in the Salamanca District in 2026?
The Salamanca District is not only a commercial destination, but also a living stage that throughout the year dresses up to host unique events, many of them exclusively accessible, attracting a global audience.
- La Milla del Arte (March 2026): This event, celebrating its fifth edition, turns the heart of the neighbourhood into a meeting point for collectors and art lovers. During Madrid's Art Week, more than 200 works by masters such as Picasso, Miró and Chillida are exhibited in an ephemeral and free space, creating an unparalleled cultural experience.
- Vogue Fashion Night Out (VFNO) (September 2026): A magical night where fashion, music and culture take over the streets of the Salamanca District. The shops remain open until the early hours, turning the neighbourhood into a big party where brands offer unique experiences, musical performances and special discounts.
- Madrid Jazz Festival (October and November): The prestigious festival, one of the most important in Europe, has the neighbourhood as one of its epicentres, with concerts at nearby iconic venues such as the Teatro Fernán Gómez, Sala Villanos and Café Berlín, enveloping its elegant streets in jazz atmospheres.
- Christmas in the Salamanca District: Plaza de Colón is transformed into an enchanted forest with a Central European-style Christmas market and a magical family atmosphere, turning Christmas shopping into a fairytale experience.
🎭 What does the Salamanca District represent for Madrid, the Community of Madrid and The Sun Places?
The Salamanca District is the main epicentre of luxury shopping tourism and the exclusive urban experience in Spain. It is the destination chosen by international fortunes and celebrities to live, shop and enjoy.
Its influence transcends the commercial, also being a first-class cultural and diplomatic hub, where embassies and renowned art centres such as the National Archaeological Museum or the Juan March Foundation are concentrated. Its ability to attract investment and high-spending tourism is indisputable, constantly enhancing the Madrid brand. For
The Sun Places, the Salamanca District is the ideal setting. It reflects our philosophy of offering the best to our guests. The exclusivity, attention to detail and comfort of its streets are the same values that inspire us.
That is why The Sun Places has chosen this location for its Luxury Apartments in Madrid, allowing you to live immersed in luxury and comfort. This neighbourhood is at the centre of the constellation of events we have explored in other articles, such as the Carolina Herrera parade in Plaza Mayor 2026, the elegance on wheels of the IV Veteran Retiro Madrid 2026, the jewellery fair Madridjoya 2026, the equestrian jumping of the Longines Global Champions Tour Madrid 2026, the luxury tapas route of the Hotel Tapa Tour Madrid 2026, and the haute cuisine of the Michelin Starred Restaurants in Madrid.
✨ The perfect plan with The Sun Places to explore the Salamanca District
Friday: Arrival and first immersion
- After settling in, a walk along Serrano Street until dusk, with a stop at one of its iconic jewellers such as Rabat or Chocrón
Saturday: Shopping, art and cocktails
- In the morning, dedicate time to shopping on the Golden Mile. Our concierge service can arrange a "personal shopper" experience for you at the shops on Ortega y Gasset and Velázquez
- For lunch, nothing better than tapas at the innovative kitchens of Barbudo
Sunday: Relax and stylish farewell
- Start the day with a brunch at a luxury hotel, such as the Rosewood Villa Magna or the BLESS Hotel
- Afterwards, a leisurely stroll through El Retiro Park, just a few steps from the neighbourhood, awaits you
Ready to immerse yourself in the luxury and exclusivity of the Golden Mile?
📞 Contact The Sun Places so that your getaway to Madrid is perfect, with all the comfort and style you deserve.
But if you prefer other destinations, The Sun Places also has ready for you: Luxury Apartments in Barcelona, Luxury Accommodation on the Costa Brava, Luxury Apartments in Seville, Luxury Apartments in Cádiz, Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús, Luxury Accommodation in Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Luxury Apartments in Córdoba.