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Plaza de España, Calle de Ferraz and Calle de la Princesa, along with Paseo del Pintor Rosales and Paseo de Moret surround the noble and highly-populated district of Argüelles, a district with one foot in the 19th century and the other in the 21st; here, rationalist architecture mixes with modern buildings, traditional bars with nightclubs, retired elderly people with young students… and perennial family businesses with department stores and highly sophisticated boutiques. Although Argüelles was designed to be a residential district for the comfortable middle-classes, time has transformed it into a very heterogeneous and multipurpose area where nature, culture, business and gastronomy converge.

But Argüelles wouldn’t be what it is today if it weren’t for the universities, which bring a new lease of life to its streets with each academic year. The University Campus, brimming with Faculties, the Avenida de Séneca, overflowing with residence halls and in the heart of Alberto Aguilera, the Icade-Icai Universities (the Catholic Management Institute and the Higher Technical Engineering School) are just a stone’s throw away.

It is little wonder, then, that Argüelles has such a rich culture. Book shops, libraries, concert halls... and a whole part of the district devoted to cinema: between Plaza de España and Calle de la Princesa, Calle de Martín de los Heros and Calle de Ventura Rodríguez, there are a handful of movie theatres showing original language films, a bookshop specialising in cinema known as Ocho y Medio and restaurants, pubs, cafes and bars for all tastes where film lovers can convene before and after the film.

And, of course, there are shops which also reflect the wide diversity of the district. Surrounding the colossal El Corte Inglés building, which competes for the number one spot with the impressive Zara facade, you’ll find all types of shops, from the affordable youth fashion of Blanco to Uterqüe’s exquisite ready-to-wear and leather articles, not forgetting Mango Touch, Mango’s brand new accessories, footwear and best sellers store which has become synonymous with elegance and dressy clothing. Argüelles has Spanish fashion shops for all tastes, targets and budgets. Jeweller’s, shoe shops, boutiques, department stores... You can find your total look here.

To finish off a good days shopping, where better to go than the Parque del Oeste, one of Madrid’s main parks. It’s an ideal place to go jogging, walk the dog or relax on the grass, if time permits. Head towards the Templo de Debod and enjoy what is undoubtedly the city’s best sunset view.