Window Shopping on Gran Vía in Madrid

Gran Via

Madrid—like any major international city—is quite stylish. People dress well and with such majestic architecture throughout, it’s hard to imagine not dressing up for a walk down the street. Especially a street as majestic as Gran Vía.

Gran Vía runs down the city and it’s where you’ll find all the hip, trendy shops that I’ve always loved about Europe. As part of Madrid’s tourism campaign, Gran Vía has hosted some exciting stuff in the past month.

Who doesn’t love dancing down the middle of the street? I, however, just window shopped because I’m a backpacker on a budget. These are some of the things I found and wanted, but obviously kept my wallet closed.

Something I noticed: the street is very colorful! Which matches really well with the posters celebrating the 100 años de la Gran Vía.

Shopping on Gran Via

Shopping on Gran Via

Shopping on Gran Via

Shopping on Gran Via

Shopping on Gran Via

Funny car on Gran Via

Shopping on Gran Via

Shopping on Gran Via


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About author
Twenty-something graphic designer from Boston (via Texas), but currently living in Berlin. Likes beaches and busy cities. Follow me on Google+
16 total comments on this postSubmit yours
  1. I know! It's weird to have so few possessions and to have no prospect of those possessions growing anytime soon.

  2. Europe has the coolest sneakers in my opinion!

  3. Clothes shops are a great way to see what a city is like. And what I've taken away from Madrid is… color!

  4. Museu de Jamon — love that place! It's a giant deli with a TON of meat, but if you can get past it, they have 1€ cañas and 1€ jamon bocadillos! CHEAP and delicious.

    And re: the naked bike ride — crazy! I just learned nudity is not prosecuted nor illegal in Madrid. I think they have nude events every now and then because I remember hearing about it periodically.

  5. Same with you, I only did window shopping there! Gran Via always reminds me of the Jamon Museum :) Did you see that too? So tempting to come from outside, but the Jamon smell was so strong.
    I still remember one time we approached Gran Via from the underground subway staircase. Hundreds of naked man and women were riding on bicycles cheerfully flooding the road! Apparently it’s an annual event to raise public awareness to be more kind to cyclists. What a sight! I actually wrote a bit about that here if you want to check it out:
    http://www.vagabondquest.com/australia/from-the-mass-naked-photo-sessions-to-the-mass-naked-bike-rides/

  6. Same with you, I only did window shopping there! Gran Via always reminds me of the Jamon Museum :) Did you see that too? So tempting to come from outside, but the Jamon smell was so strong.
    I still remember one time we approached Gran Via from the underground subway staircase. Hundreds of naked man and women were riding on bicycles cheerfully flooding the road! Apparently it’s an annual event to raise public awareness to be more kind to cyclists. What a sight! I actually wrote a bit about that here if you want to check it out:
    http://www.vagabondquest.com/australia/from-the-mass-naked-photo-sessions-to-the-mass-naked-bike-rides/

  7. Oh that car is so cool and that tie shop must be the most colourful tie shop on earth!!! I think we are kindred spirits!!! I swear half the pics I got in Europe were of things in shop windows (I’m a Chair and Alessi girl) I am to Alessi what a bee is too honey!!!

  8. Oh that car is so cool and that tie shop must be the most colourful tie shop on earth!!! I think we are kindred spirits!!! I swear half the pics I got in Europe were of things in shop windows (I’m a Chair and Alessi girl) I am to Alessi what a bee is too honey!!!

  9. just looked through these again. so amazing.

    • aw thanks Denise! All I can think when walking down the streets of Madrid is how underdressed I am and how badly I want to buy cool, new clothes. Even the H&M here has way cooler stuff than we’d see in Boston.

  10. just looked through these again. so amazing.

    • aw thanks Denise! All I can think when walking down the streets of Madrid is how underdressed I am and how badly I want to buy cool, new clothes. Even the H&M here has way cooler stuff than we’d see in Boston.

  11. i am loving the colors and those shoes are too cool

  12. i am loving the colors and those shoes are too cool

  13. wow that would be really hard to turn down, but think of all the space you saved in your bag

  14. wow that would be really hard to turn down, but think of all the space you saved in your bag

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