Paseo de la Castellana

Chances are that on your visit to Madrid you’ll cross over the Paseo de la Castellana — or an extension of it — at some point. That’s because it’s the city’s main north-south thoroughfare, and, along with its continuations Paseo de Recoletos and Paseo del Prado, it passes by many of the city’s most popular sights.
La Castellana, as it is usually called, in fact begins at Plaza de Colón and reaches to the northern border of the main city. Along this stretch, it goes by many of the capital’s biggest bank buildings and, perhaps most notably, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home to the Real Madrid soccer team. It also travels through (rather, under) Plaza Castilla, one of the city’s largest squares, which serves as a main transport hub. Cutting through exploration-worthy neighborhoods such as Chamberí and Salamanca, the avenue is also bordered by tree-lined walkways, playgrounds, and many outdoor restaurant terrazas — all making it a great destination for a drive, stroll or bike ride.

Practical Info

La Castellana is quite long, so you will almost certainly not want to walk its entire length. That said, countless buses and Metro lines run along its course, as well as the hop-on hop-off bus tour, all making it an easy-to-see Madrid destination. Note that south of Plaza de Colón, La Castellana’s continuation streets pass by the Prado Museum, the Thyssen Museum, and ultimately reach Atocha Train Station and the nearby Reina Sofia Museum.