Columbus
Columbus Square, anchored on the main avenue of Madrid, el Paseo de la Castellana, is where Christopher Columbus extends his gaze to the surroundings of what is undoubtedly the coolest area of Madrid, bordered by Velázquez, Ortega y Gasset, and Serrano Streets with the Puerta de Alcala. The area is known as Madrid’s Golden Mile, where the shops of the most luxurious and prestigious brands in the world display their wares in magical shop windows. What’s on display inside is affordable to just a few.
It’s one of the most monumental areas in town and has the largest concentration of European art at the fittingly-named Walk of Art. Here you will find some of the best museums in the world with the space of just a few hundred meters: El Prado, Thyssen, Reina Sofia and CaixaForum.
In addition, the Parque del Retiro is the green and recreational area of Madrid, where locals go by the thousands to play sports, just walk, or sit at its beautiful outdoor bars to enjoy a drink.
South of Paseo del Prado, Atocha train station has a truly amazing tropical garden, the only of its type in all the world.
