How Do Addresses Work in Madrid?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re planning on living or traveling to Madrid, understanding how addresses work in this vibrant city is crucial. Madrid has a unique addressing system that may seem confusing at first, but once you understand it, it’s relatively straightforward.

Street Name and Number

The most common way of addressing in Madrid is by using the street name and number. The street name comes first, followed by the number. For example, if someone gives you an address of “Calle de Alcala 20”, it means “Alcala Street number 20”.

Plazas

In some cases, plazas or squares may act as a point of reference for an address. If the address includes a plaza name, it means that the building is located close to the plaza.

Floors and Apartments

In Madrid, buildings are often identified by their floor numbers. The ground floor is called “Bajo,” while the top floor is called “Atico.”

Apartments are also identified using numbers. For example, “1D” means apartment D on the first floor.

Postal Codes

Madrid has five-digit postal codes that indicate the area where the building is located. Postal codes begin with 28 for all areas within Madrid.

Using Landmarks as Reference Points

Another way of identifying addresses in Madrid is by using landmarks or known locations as reference points. This method can be handy when giving directions to someone who’s unfamiliar with the area.

  • If you’re close to a Subway station or bus stop, you can use it as a reference point.
  • You can also use well-known landmarks such as parks or museums.
  • In some cases, people may give directions based on bars or restaurants in the area.

Conclusion

Understanding how addresses work in Madrid is crucial if you’re planning on living or traveling to this beautiful city. The most common way of addressing is by using the street name and number, but there are other ways, such as using plazas or landmarks as reference points. Now that you know how it works, you’ll be able to navigate Madrid with ease!