GUIDE TO MADRID

Guide to Madrid
3 Mesquida
Religion still plays an important role in Spanish life
and Madrid is famous for its shops specializing in
devotional objects. Founded more than 40 years ago,
this family business furnishes churches and monasteries
as far afield as Ireland and Argentina and has made items
for the Pope’s summer residence outside Rome. The
store is a showcase of rosaries, statues, cribs, paintings,
icons and communion cups.
➤ Calle Mayor 22 • Map M4
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Manuel González Contreras
One of Spain’s most respected guitar workshops
was founded in 1882. Clients have ranged from the
classical virtuoso Andres Segovia to pop guitarist Mark
Knopfler. There’s a small museum of instruments dating
back to the 19th century, and it’s fascinating to see the
craftsmen at work (see Manuel González Contreras).
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El Flamenco Vive
If you’ve been won over
by Flamenco during your
stay, now’s your chance to
look the part. This specialist
store has everything –
colourful costumes and
accessories (fans, flowers,
ornamental combs), guitars,
books, sheet music, videos,
records and CDs.
➤ Calle Conde de Lemos 7
• Map L4
Casa Jiménez
A superb shop dealing mainly in mantones de Manila
. These embroidered, brightly coloured silk shawls
originated in China and found their way to Spain via the
Philippines. They gained popularity in 19th-century Seville
when the working girls of the tobacco factories wore
them. Also sells fans and mantillas , the traditional black
lace headdress still worn on formal occasions (see Casa
Jiménez).
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Terra Mundi
Apart from its tasty Galician cooking, this restaurant
sells regional produce: chorizo , tetilla (cream cheese),
fish soups, pear compote, strawberry liqueur and around
20 wines from the Rias Baixas region (see Terra Mundi).
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Casa Mira
This old fashioned store has been producing its
famous nougat (turrón ) for more than 150 years. Made
without artificial colouring or preservatives, it’s the
genuine article.
➤ Carrera de San Jerónimo 30 • Map P4
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Bodega Santa Cecilia
This wine cellar is popular not only for its range
(more than 4,000 labels), but for the quality and
affordability. The owners keep prices down by scouring
the countryside for lesser-known vineyards.
➤ Calle Blasco de Garay 72–4 • Map C1
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10 Cuenllas
This delicatessen is the place for top-quality cured
meats and cheeses. Spanish cheeses include Queso
Manchego, made from sheep’s milk, and the blue
cheese, Cabrales. For the finest cured hams, buy jamón
Ibérico or Pata Negra – a breed of pig fed only on acorns.
➤ Calle Ferraz 3 • Map B2
Shops in La Latina
diabetics.
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➤ Calle de Toledo 52–3 • Map M5
Caramelos Paco
The display windows of
this famous sweet
emporium are ablaze with
colour. Some of the flavours
– rice pudding, for example
– sound less appealing than
others. Sugar-free sweets for
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➤ Calle de Mira el Río Baja 18 • Map C6
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El Transformista
Delve into this Aladdin’s
cave for antique and
second-hand furniture –
everything from old mirrors
and table lamps to painted
plates and plastic chairs.
Arte Arabe
Shades of the Orient in this shop selling hookah
pipes, copper kettles, carved wooden boxes,
embroidered slippers, cushions, and much more.
➤ Calle de Carlos Arniches 2 • Map C6
4 Fotocasión
Stocks just about everything the photographer might
need – cameras, new and second-hand, film, camera
cases, tripods and other specialist equipment. Also sells
binoculars.
➤ Calle de Carlos Arniches 22 • Map C6
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Casa Lucas
This old-fashioned lechería (dairy) should be seen
if only for its decorative tiled frontage. The sign outside
with the cows reads “Pure milk for children and the
sick”.
➤ Calle de Carlos Arniches 25 • Map C6
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Julio Rodríguez
As the hand-painted wall sign indicates, this tiny
shop is crammed with foot-treadle antique sewing
machines. Also sells typewriters.
➤ Calle de Carlos Arniches 25 • Map C6
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Felipe Fermín
Wrought-iron enthusiasts, look no further. This
family business deals in everything from coal scuttles
and fire-guards to bellows, weather vanes and milk
churns.
➤ Ribera de Curtidores 18 • Map C6
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Shopping Spots