Barrio de Salamanca is quite peculiar, both for its layout and for the neighbours whose homes used to sit in this most desirable area of Madrid. The neighbourhood was developed in the second half of the nineteenth century as an expansion planned under Queen Isabella II’s rule. The designer was Málaga-born José de Salamanca y Mayol, Marquis of Salamanca. He wanted to have an area for the exclusive residence of Madrid’s aristocracy and bourgeoisie. The carefully designed buildings here feature beautiful frontages that’ll catch your eye.

Historically, Salamanca has been a residential area for the Spain’s financial and political elite. In the past fifty years, it has attracted diplomats, business people and, together with them, sophisticated fashion stores.