A VINYL WALKING TOUR FROM UMUSIC HOTEL MADRID

Walking notes

The first few shops are clustered near the hotel in the Sol and Centro areas. From there, wander south to Lavapiés and La Latina before looping back toward Gran Vía and Malasaña. Most of the journey can be done on foot, but the metro at Tirso de Molina or La Latina makes it easy to shorten the route if you prefer.

Starting point: UMusic Shop Madrid

Before you head out, drop by the UMusic Shop inside the hotel with direct access from Carretas Street. It’s the perfect place to set the tone for your journey and pick up a piece of the UMusic experience to take home. Visitors can browse vinyl, exclusive merch, and capsule collections while enjoying a café corner, curated displays, and high-fidelity listening stations. More than a store, it hosts pop-ups, artist activations, and special drops that make it a meeting point for fans and music culture in the heart of Madrid.

Stop 1: Discos La Metralleta

Hidden beneath Plaza de las Descalzas, this iconic shop is legendary among collectors. Its walls hold decades of music history and endless vinyl to explore. It’s been A haven for music lovers for more than thirty years with shelves full of vinyl, CDs, and cassettes spanning every genre. it’s a place where rare finds and new releases live side by side. A true cult stop for anyone who loves vinyl, whether new or secondhand.

Stop 2: La Gramola

Just a few steps from La Metralleta, La Gramola keeps the rhythm going. It’s a cozy stop in the historic center and easy to fit into your route. Its shelves stretch from the latest releases to hidden gems from the 60s, alongside live recordings you never knew existed. Beyond vinyl, you’ll also find posters, pins, and vintage tees that keep the spirit of music alive. A legendary record shops that’s impossible to miss.

Stop 3: Bajo el Volcán

In Lavapiés, you’ll find a shop that mixes records with books and neighborhood character. Bajo el Volcán blends new and used vinyl across every genre from soul and jazz to punk and indie. Alongside the records, you’ll also find a curated selection of literature on music, film, and contemporary culture. It’s a stop that feels as eclectic as the neighborhood itself.

Stop 4: Liquidator Music

This shop celebrates black music in all its forms. The passion here is contagious, and the catalog goes deep. Liquidator Music is a record shop from the label of the same name, rooted in the sounds of the 60s and 70s with a special love for Jamaican music. Here you’ll find reggae, soul, funk, jazz, and more, alongside turntables, books, and accessories. Located near El Rastro, it’s a lively stop where Sunday DJ sessions keep the spirit of the music alive.

Stop 5: Discos Babel

Back in the center, Discos Babel offers a wide selection that keeps things fresh. It’s the kind of place where you never know what you’ll walk out with. True to its name, this shop brings together new and secondhand vinyl and CDs across styles from hard rock and jazz to punk, folk, and psych. Collectors come here hunting for first editions, while shelves also hold magazines, books, and DVDs. It’s a central stop with something for every kind of music fan.

Stop 6: Escridiscos

Near Gran Vía, this long-standing shop has been part of Madrid’s music story for decades. A central stop that always rewards a visit. Since 1977, Escridiscos has been a go-to for both classic and new releases, from rock and soul to punk, indie, and folk. It’s a shop with deep roots in Madrid’s music scene and even doubles as a spot to pick up concert tickets. A timeless stop for anyone exploring the city through its records.

Stop 7: Marilians Records

End the tour in Malasaña, where music and community come together. Marilians is a favorite among locals and perfectly at home in one of Madrid’s most creative neighborhoods. It’s the kind of shop you enter without watching the clock, thanks to its warm, welcoming atmosphere. Its shelves balance classics with the latest releases, plus special editions and rare finds that surprise even seasoned collectors. With regular signings, presentations, and acoustic showcases, it’s as much a community space as a record store.

A day spent discovering new places and sounds gives you more than a few new records to spin. It turns the city itself into part of your collection. Added to your library of memories, a soundtrack written in the streets of Madrid.