Usera district (Madrid)

Usera is the 12th of the 21 districts that make up Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain. It is administratively organized into the neighborhoods of Orcasitas (121), Orcasur (122), San Fermín (123), Almendrales (124), Moscardó (125), Zofío (126) and Pradolongo (127).

Usera is located to the south of the centre of Madrid. It is bounded to the east by the river Manzanares (between the Praga Bridge and the M-40), to the south by the M-40 motorway and to the west by the A-42 autovía. It is bordered by the district of Carabanchel to the west and northwest, Arganzuela to the north, Puente de Vallecas to the east and Villaverde to the south.

Chinatown

Since the 2000s Usera has become the location of Madrid’s Chinatown and is the neighbourhood with the largest concentration of the Chinese community in Spain. About 11,000 Chinese citizens reside in this district, approximately a quarter of the Chinese population of Madrid. The district is home to a large number of Chinese shops and restaurants and is the location of the annual Chinese New Year celebrations and parade.

Transport

Cercanías Madrid

Within the district of Usera are two commuter train stations, Doce de Octubre and Orcasitas, both are part of the C-5 line of the Cercanías Madrid. The stations and line are operated by Renfe Operadora.

Madrid Metro

Traditionally, the Usera district has been one of the districts with the least coverage by the Madrid Metro. Currently the district is served by three lines:

Line 3 runs under Cordoba and Andalusia Avenues and has three stations in the district, Almendrales, Hospital Doce de Octubre and San Fermin-Orcasur.
Line 6 serves the north of the district with the stations of Usera and Plaza Elíptica.
Line 11 terminates at the Plaza Elíptica station.

Madrid Buses

The district is served by a number of bus routes including night routes and the express route E1. Buses are operated by EMT Madrid.

Madrid: full guide