Madrid, a city that combines history and modernity, offers a variety of exclusive areas for those looking to live in luxury real estate. High-end properties in the Spanish capital are located in neighbourhoods that not only stand out for their elegance and sophistication, but also for their quality of life and access to first-class services. We explain which are the best areas according to luxury real estate agents in Madrid and the reasons why these areas have become the preferred ones for those who want to live in Madrid with the utmost luxury and exclusivity.
La Moraleja: Exclusivity and privacy out of town
La Moraleja is the most prestigious residential estate in Madrid. It is the place of residence of important businessmen, artists, diplomats and famous Real Madrid players. It is characterised by its large villas and mansions that easily reach 1,000 m2 in size, guaranteeing their owners a great deal of privacy.
Most of the urbanisation is occupied by detached villas with private gardens and swimming pools, but small communities of semi-detached villas and flats can also be found. These are gated communities that share gardens and facilities. These are more abundant in the area of El Soto and El Encinar.
Although it is a residential area, its proximity to the city and the high purchasing power of its residents means that a multitude of shopping centres, hospitals and sports clubs have been built in the surrounding area. It is also one of the areas of Madrid with the highest concentration of private and international schools, so you can enjoy any service and activity without having to go to the city.
Reasons to live in La Moraleja
- Large luxury homes with extensive gardens.
- Variety of housing types: villas, townhouses, penthouses and flats.
- All the necessary services: prestigious schools, shopping centres, sports centres and hospitals.
- It is a quiet and safe area.
- Famous and prestigious neighbours.
- Proximity to the international airport.
La Moraleja is ideal for families looking for a higher quality of life, and the advantages of a life surrounded by nature, but do not want to move too far away from the city, or renounce all kinds of luxuries.
Pozuelo: the richest municipality in Spain
Pozuelo is the richest municipality in Spain thanks to the number of luxury urbanisations in the municipality. Its large houses, its natural surroundings and its proximity to the city centre, make it an area of choice for many Spanish fortunes, businessmen and politicians. It is divided into several independent urbanisations, each with its own unique characteristics. From the privacy and prestige of La Finca or Somosaguas, to smaller and more family-oriented urbanisations such as Montealína, Monteprincipe and Monteclaro.
The most exclusive urbanisations, and where the best homes are located, are La Finca and Somosaguas. La Finca has become in the last 15 years the luxury urbanisation of reference in Spain. Thanks to its security and its large modern style mansions, many celebrities have chosen it as their place of residence. All the streets of the urbanisation are privately owned, and its outer perimeter is fenced. Only guests of the neighbours have access to the interior. This guarantees a high level of privacy and security for its residents.
Very close to the Finca is Somosaguas, one of the most traditional and consolidated luxury residential areas in Madrid. Created in the 1950s, it is one of the traditional areas of residence for politicians, bankers and Madrid’s nobility. Almost its entire surface area is made up of large private plots with large detached villas.
Reasons to live in Pozuelo
- A multitude of luxury urbanisations to choose from.
- All the necessary services: prestigious schools, shopping centres, sports centres and hospitals.
- Proximity to the centre of Madrid.
- Famous neighbours.
Aravaca: Luxury and nature
Located in the western part of Madrid, Aravaca is the district with the most urbanisations within the city. It is a unique place, surrounded by nature and protected forests, just 5 minutes from the city centre. It is the ideal area for families looking for a natural environment and living within the city. It is divided into three areas with a very similar residential structure, with independent houses and small developments of chalets or low-rise apartment buildings.
Valdemarín: This is the area closest to the city and the one that has undergone the greatest urban development in recent years. It is worth highlighting the new construction projects that are being built on its plots. They are usually closed developments, with few neighbours, and villas with modern architecture and the latest technology.
El Plantío: This is the most commercial area of Aravaca. It arises from old holiday home colonies that give a historical aspect to the place. The houses that can be found in this area are terraced houses and flats in buildings of no more than four storeys.
La Florida: This is an old urbanisation, planned at the beginning of the 20th century, where large houses, mansions and palaces were built. Nowadays its houses are being renovated, which is making the urbanisation more dynamic and filling it with younger people.
Reasons to live in Aravaca
- Good communication with the city centre.
- Many options for housing types.
- Quiet streets and lots of green areas.
- Family atmosphere.
Barrio Salamanca: luxury in the heart of Madrid
The Salamanca neighbourhood is undoubtedly the most select and elegant area of Madrid in which to live. It is a residential neighbourhood that has managed to modernise without losing its charm and classic architecture. It has the most exclusive shopping streets in the city, such as Serrano, Claudio Cuello, Ayala and Hermosilla, which is where the shops of the most famous luxury brands are located. It is also an area surrounded by historical monuments, museums and large open spaces, such as the Retiro Park and the Plaza de Colón. Living in the Barrio de Salamanca means having all the luxury of the city just a few steps away from your home.
Although it is an old neighbourhood in Madrid, almost 200 years old, the quality of its buildings is quite good. Since its foundation, it was intended to be the residence area of the city’s bourgeoisie, which is why the best buildings in the city were built, with stately portals, interior courtyards, high ceilings, large rooms and glass galleries on their balconies. This architecture, today of great historical value, is visible in most of the buildings and gives the district an elegant and stately atmosphere.
Reasons to live in Barrio de Salamanca
- Very central area and well communicated with the rest of the city.
- Luxury: this is the most exclusive area of the city. The most luxurious shops, restaurants and bars are in this area.
- Buildings and houses of great quality and possibilities.
- Neighbours with high purchasing power.
Barrio de Salamanca is an ideal area if you like to live in the city centre, but at the same time you are looking for elegance, exclusivity and luxury, which other areas of Madrid cannot offer.
Retiro and the Jerónimos: an oasis of luxury in the city
Adjacent to the Barrio de Salamanca and the Retiro Park, the great green lung of Madrid, we find Retiro and Los Jerónimos. It is an area with very similar characteristics to the Salamanca neighbourhood. Central, elegant and with many stately buildings. However, it is different because of its proximity to the park and its streets are much less commercial and therefore quieter.
The streets near the Church of Los Jerónimos are the most exclusive. The Paseo del Prado, where the city’s most important museums and hotels are located, stands out. Calle Alfonso XII, bordering the Retiro, where most of the houses have views of the park. And Calle Montalbán, where you will find the most representative buildings in the area.
Reasons to live in Retiro and Los Jerónimos
- Central and quiet area.
- Surrounded by parks, green areas, historical monuments and museums.
- Luxury houses of large dimensions.
In short, Retiro y los Jerónimos is the perfect area for people who want to live in a quiet and exclusive place, but without moving away from the cultural and leisure life offered by the city centre.
Chamberí: a classic and modern touch
Chamberí is one of the most classic and typical areas of Madrid. Located in the very centre of the city, it stands out for its wide avenues and tree-lined areas. It is a commercial and residential neighbourhood that maintains its traditional charm, with modernist, neo-Gothic and Mudejar buildings of great architectural richness.
The most luxurious and exclusive areas are Almagro and Trafalgar, as they are close to the Paseo de la Castellana and have the best buildings and palaces in the district. Almagro is an elegant neighbourhood, with a wide range of shops and restaurants. While Trafalgar is a historic neighbourhood, with many monuments and emblematic buildings. The area has undergone a renovation in recent years, with new luxury properties that respect the historic style, but incorporate contemporary features.
The Chamberí district is a very popular area for living, working and studying. It has a wide range of services and is just a stone’s throw from the city centre, where the city’s nightlife is concentrated.
Reasons to live in Chamberí
- The quieter streets of the city centre.
- Variety of shops and leisure facilities.
- Younger and more dynamic environment.
- Good communications with other areas of the city.
Chamberí is a perfect place for urbanites and young families who want to get the most out of city life and not miss out on anything.
Chamartín: the perfect balance between luxury and functionality
Chamartín is an area in the north of the city that was born in the middle of the 20th century as a result of the expansion of the city and offers an ideal balance between luxury and functionality. Its buildings are much more modern than in other more central neighbourhoods, as it was planned as a residential rather than commercial area. This is evident in its urban planning, with wide, tree-lined streets, many parks and few shopping areas.
The most exclusive area of Chamartín is El Viso, a former residential colony of single-family homes that over time has become one of the most desirable and privileged places in Madrid. It offers the luxury of having a house with several floors and a private garden within the city. The price of its luxury homes for sale is not affected by the real estate crisis and they are always an excellent investment.
Reasons to live in Chamartín
- Family atmosphere.
- Residential area with many green areas.
- High quality of life for its residents.
- Possibility of living in a villa with a garden in the city.
Where is the best area in Madrid to live with a family?
Without a doubt, the urbanisations on the outskirts of Madrid are the best area to live in as a family. They offer large houses, most of them with gardens, and all the necessary services for daily life without having to go to the city. For example, La Moraleja is the area with the highest concentration of private and international schools in the city, as well as a multitude of sports clubs, shopping centres and restaurants. The same is true of the urbanisations located in Pozuelo and Aravaca.
Which of Madrid’s neighbourhoods are the safest?
In general, the luxury urbanisations located on the outskirts of Madrid are the safest areas of Madrid. Among them, La Finca, located in Pozuelo, stands out. It is a gated community with access control. You can only enter its streets if you are invited by one of its neighbours. It is considered one of the most secure urbanisations in Europe. La Moraleja is also an urbanisation that stands out for its security, with number plate control at its entrances and private security on its streets.
Where does Madrid’s upper class live?
In Madrid there are many luxurious areas where the city’s upper class lives. The Barrio de Salamanca is the classic residence of Madrid’s upper bourgeoisie and nobility. From the 1970s onwards, with the construction of luxury housing estates on the outskirts of the city, many of these families bought country houses there to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The urbanisations of that time are La Moraleja, Somosaguas, La Florida and Puerta de Hierro. Although these prestigious areas continue to have wealthy residents, new urbanisations such as La Finca and Valdemarín are attracting more and more upper class families. Pozuelo, where La Finca and Somosaguas are located, is currently the wealthiest municipality in Spain.
Which is the most expensive neighbourhood in Madrid?
Los Jerónimos and Barrio de Salamanca are the most expensive neighbourhoods in Madrid. The price per square metre of some of their houses can reach 20,000 €. They are also the areas that offer the most luxury homes in the city and due to their high demand the average price of their flats and penthouses is higher than in other parts of Madrid.
Which is the most exclusive and well-known urbanisation in Madrid?
La Moraleja is the most exclusive and well-known urbanisation. The celebrities who live there have made it a benchmark when talking about a luxury place to live in Madrid. Among its neighbours are elite sportsmen, artists, big businessmen, celebrities and international fortunes, which make La Moraleja known all over the world.
Promora: the best rated luxury real estate agency in Madrid
Finding the perfect luxury home in Madrid is not easy, but at Promora we accompany you throughout the process to make it easier. We specialise in offering high-end properties in the most desirable areas of the city. Our more than 50 years of experience and knowledge of the market allow us to provide our clients with exclusive options that meet their needs and expectations. If you are looking to buy or sell a luxury property in Madrid, Promora is the ideal luxury real estate agency to guide you through every step of the process. Contact us to find out how we can help you find the perfect property in the Spanish capital. We are more than a real estate agency. We are your home.
