More than a century opening every day: Madrid celebrates its century-old businesses

2026/07/16

There are businesses in Madrid that have been opening their doors every morning for over a hundred years. Shops, taverns, grocery stores, pharmacies, workshops, and bakeries that have seen generations of Madrid residents come and go, and which are still there today, on the same street and with the same name, resisting the passage of time. These are the centennial businesses: much more than just establishments, they are authentic historical and cultural heritage of the city.

Their value goes far beyond the economic. These establishments are symbols of Madrid's identity, witnesses to the transformation of its neighborhoods, and guardians of trades that, in many cases, are at risk of disappearing. Behind each counter are families who have passed down their expertise from parents to children, and a way of understanding commerce based on personal service, quality, and consistency. They help us recognize the city, remember where we come from, and keep alive a character that no other capital city can match.

Until July 26, Madrid residents will find posters throughout the city dedicated to these establishments, a way of reminding locals and visitors that Madrid's history is also written behind its shop windows. A visible tribute to those who, generation after generation, keep the doors to the city's memory open.

At Todo Está en Madrid, we also have a section dedicated entirely to century-old businesses, where you can discover them district by district, learn about their history and plan your own route through the Madrid of yesteryear.