Cuesta de Moyano: second-hand book stalls by Madrid's Retiro

Updated on October 5, 2026

Cuesta de Moyano is a pedestrian street lined with small wooden bookshops, between the Royal Botanical Garden and Retiro Park. This permanent book fair dates back to 1925; today's casetas retain the appearance of the old stalls. Come to find a second-hand novel, browse Spanish editions or simply take a break between the museums and the park. The street is free to visit; individual booksellers may keep different hours.

Highlights

The row of casetas

Outdoor displays let you browse the covers before stepping into each little bookshop. Take time to compare editions rather than looking only for a standard souvenir.

The walk towards Retiro

The street climbs towards Calle de Alfonso XII alongside the Botanical Garden. It makes a pleasant transition between a museum visit and a walk in the park.

Books in Spanish

Novels, essays and second-hand titles vary between stalls and deliveries. Ask the bookseller if you want a particular title or a book in another language: availability is never guaranteed.

Practical info

Tips

Access is free (prices checked in October 2026); books have individual prices. The city council lists usual bookshop hours of 09:30–13:30 and 16:30–19:00, but advises checking each caseta. Inspect bindings and pages before buying. Caseta nº 1 houses a tourist information point, with separate hours from the book stalls.

How to get there

Calle de Claudio Moyano, 1, 28014 Madrid. Estación del Arte or Atocha metro (line 1), then walk towards the southern side of the Botanical Garden; Cercanías trains at Atocha.

Opening hours

Best: Late in the morning

Lundi-Dimanche 09:30-13:30 et 16:30-19:00 (usual bookshop hours listed by the city council; vary by caseta; the pedestrian street remains accessible outside these hours)