The Gran Vía is the great avenue of central Madrid: about 1.3 km between Calle de Alcalá and the Plaza de España, lined with early 20th-century buildings, theatres, cinemas and shops. It is a public street, open day and night and free; all you need to do is walk it, ideally starting at the Metrópolis building. Work began on 4 April 1910, when King Alfonso XIII struck the first blow with a pickaxe on the "Casa del Cura", near the church of San José. To cut it through, the city demolished more than 300 houses and several streets of old Madrid. The avenue was built in three sections: from Alcalá to the Red de San Luis, then to the Plaza del Callao, and finally to the Plaza de España. Allow 45 minutes to stroll its length, longer if you go into the shops or up to a rooftop terrace.
Highlights
The Metrópolis building
On the corner of Calle de Alcalá, this domed building, built between 1907 and 1911 to designs by the architects Jules and Raymond Février, marks the start of the avenue. Since 1977 its dome has been crowned by a bronze Winged Victory by Federico Coullaut-Valera. It is the most photographed view of the Gran Vía, especially from the top of Calle de Alcalá.
The Telefónica building
Built between 1926 and 1929 for the national telephone company, this 89 m skyscraper was for a long time the tallest building in Madrid. On the ground floor, the Espacio Fundación Telefónica, entered from Calle de Fuencarral 3, puts on free exhibitions about technology, art and science.
The Capitol building and the Plaza del Callao
Opened in 1933, the Carrión building, known as the Capitol, is a model of rationalist architecture with its rounded prow facing the Plaza del Callao. The Schweppes neon sign, installed in 1972, has become one of the city's symbols. The Plaza del Callao, with its cinemas and screens, is the liveliest junction on the avenue.
Theatres and musicals
Between Callao and the Plaza de España, the Lope de Vega, Coliseum and EDP Gran Vía theatres stage Madrid's big musicals, which has earned the avenue the nickname "Madrid's Broadway". Shows change with the seasons: check the listings and book ahead for weekends.
Rooftop terraces
A few metres from the start of the avenue, the rooftop of the Círculo de Bellas Artes (Calle de Alcalá 42) offers, 56 m up, a view over the Gran Vía and the Metrópolis building; entry costs €6 (€5 reduced).
The Plaza de España and around
The avenue ends at the Plaza de España, in front of the Edificio España and the Torre de Madrid. From there, the [Temple of Debod](/fr/attractions/temple-de-debod) is a 10-minute walk away, and the [Puerta del Sol](/fr/attractions/puerta-del-sol) is 5 minutes south of Callao along Calle de Preciados.
Infos pratiques
Tips
The walk is free. To enjoy the façades, walk up the avenue from the Metrópolis building towards the Plaza de España, looking up at the domes and the rooftop statues. The pavements are very crowded on Saturday afternoons and in December; keep an eye on your belongings, especially around Callao (see [scams and safety in Madrid](/fr/articles/arnaques-a-eviter-madrid)). Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop prices checked in October 2026. To continue with the other highlights of the centre, follow our itinerary [what to do in Madrid in one day](/fr/articles/que-faire-a-madrid-en-un-jour).
How to get there
Gran Vía, 28013 Madrid. Metro Banco de España (line 2) for the start of the avenue, Gran Vía (lines 1 and 5), Callao (lines 3 and 5), Santo Domingo (line 2) or Plaza de España (lines 2, 3 and 10) for the other end. Cercanías commuter train: Sol station (lines C3 and C4), a 5-minute walk from Callao.
Opening hours
Nearby
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