STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

I had better luck with antique shopping than fashion shopping while in Madrid. I did go to some boutiques, but it was nothing to write home about. I've never been to Barcelona, but I'd love to go sometime!
 
Nicoley - El Rastro is fun if you haven't been, just keep a tight grip on your wallet or anything valuable you might have with you, and carry nothing on your back (I have never seen more rampant pickpocketing than I have in Madrid.)
 
1. Calle Preciados
http://www.10best.com/Madrid/Shopping/Shopping_Districts/index.html?bu...


Pedestrian-only strip with lots of stores: from women's and men's apparel to shoes, to specialty shops.







2. Calle Serrano


This is the most 'chic' Attraction of the city with many designer boutiques, art galleries, and specialty shops.







3. Calle Goya


This is a very popular Attraction in Madrid. There are many designer shops, women's and men's apparel shops and shoe shops.







4. El Rastro
El Rastro, Madrid, Spain


Located between the Cathedral of San Isidro and Glorieta de Embajadores it is Madrid most popular public market. You can find just a little of everything in here: from books and clothes to pet accessories, furniture and art.







5. Calle Princesa
Calle Princesa, Madrid, Spain


Very popular Attraction with many fashion stores.







6. Calle Montera


This is a pedestrian-only street with many apparel and shoe stores







7. Calle Bravo Murillo


This is a very popular Attraction with clothes and shoe stores selling at popular prices.







8. Calle Alcalá


Very popular Attraction with specialty shops and designer boutiques.







9. La Vaguada


This is the biggest shopping mall with more than 300 stores and also a cinema a bowling alley and many cafes.







10. Calle Gran Vía
Gran Via, Madrid, Spain


Many small and big shops with men and women fashion stores mixed in with cinemas, bars, and hotels

If you enjoy shopping, here are 3 shopping centres that you should think about visiting: the Moda Shopping Centre, the ABC Shopping Centre and the Jardin de Serrano. The Moda Shopping Centre is located near Madrid's football mecca, Santiago Bernabeu, and has a wide range of shops - from smart designer shops to jewellry shops and antiques shops. You can also find a number of places to have food or a drink. From one side of the centre you will see Madrid's largest building - the stunning Torre Picasso. From here you can walk across to the departmetn store El Corte Ingles and/or visit the shops on c/Orense.

The ABC Centre is located in a building that the well-known ('very' conservative!) newspaper ABC occupied until 1989. It has two principal entrances - one is the Paseo de la Castellana and the other c/Serrano, Madrid's 'poshest' street. It has a fine selection of shops, from clothing and jewellry to shops where you can buy nick nacks. During the summer its summer terrace (on the 4th floor) offers fantastic views across the city. There is a nice shop for kids there called Imaginarium, which even has a special 'little' door for them to go in through!

The third shop is located a short walk from the ABC Centro (right next to Serrano Metro stop) and though it's called Jardín de Serrano, it's located in c/Goya! This place has a neat selection of good quality shops and clothes boutiques - women's clothes, jewellery, picture framing shops, handbags, children's clothes, etc. You can also find the Mallorca restaurant, where you can have a good quality, reasonably priced meal or wonderful pastry in very pleasant surroundings.

As the latter is located at the start of c/Serrano, you can walk up to the designer shops which are located on or jutting on to this street.