Gran Vía
Opened in 1910 as 'Spain's Broadway'. The Metrópolis building, the Telefónica tower, and theatres line this avenue, which is Madrid's main axis for shopping and nightlife.
Gran Vía was built in three phases between 1910 and 1929. More than 300 buildings were demolished to cut a new route through the old town, and it became home to some of Madrid's most spectacular 20th-century architecture, earning the nickname 'Spain's Broadway'. Starting from the Calle de Alcalá end: the gilded-dome Metrópolis building at the corner (1911) is the most photographed building in Madrid. Opposite it, the rooftop terrace of the Círculo de Bellas Artes (about €5) is the best place to overlook the whole avenue and the city skyline. Further on are the Edificio Grassy, the Telefónica Building (the tallest in Spain when completed in 1929), and the Art Deco Capitol building, where the Schweppes neon sign appears and which is a frequent setting in Almodóvar films. At the far end, beside Plaza de España, stand the Torre de Madrid and the Edificio España. The avenue is lined with Zara's global flagship store, Primark's five-floor flagship, the El Corte Inglés department store, and theatres such as Lope de Vega and Rialto, which stage Spanish-language musicals (The Lion King has had a long run). On the north side, the Malasaña and Chueca districts are home to vintage shops, independent cafés, and LGBTQ-friendly bars. Cava Baja lies in the old town to the south. The avenue is 1.3 km long, about a 20-minute walk. Metro: L1/L5 to Gran Vía, L3/L5 to Callao, or L2 to Sevilla. Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas. It stays lively at night, but stay away from street touts.
Opening hours
Open all day; shops approx. 10:00–22:00
Nearby sights
- Puerta del Sol
- Monastery of Las Descalzas Reales
- Chocolatería San Ginés
- Chueca
- Plaza Mayor
- Malasaña
- Mercado de San Miguel
- Plaza de España