Madrid · Gran Vía, Malasaña and Plaza de España
Gran Vía
A 1.3 km boulevard of early 20th-century buildings, theatres, cinemas and shops, built between 1910 and 1931. It is a walk where you look up, with no ticket and no fixed visit.
- 1 h
- Free
- Booking: not needed
- Gran Vía, Malasaña and Plaza de España
Data checked on October 4, 2026
Gran Vía was cut through the old centre from 1910 to link Calle de Alcalá with Plaza de España and was built in three stages. The buildings borrow from French, Viennese and American styles, and the street holds theatres, former cinemas, hotels and shops. The Telefónica building was an early skyscraper when it went up in 1929. It is a street to walk with your head up.
What to look for
- The Metrópolis building and its dome at the Alcalá end
- The Telefónica building
- The Capitol building with its rooftop sign
- The theatres that stage musicals around Callao
Opening hours
Always open.
Source: esMadrid, checked October 4, 2026
Tickets and booking
Free.
Getting there
Gran Vía (Metro lines 1 and 5) and Callao (Metro lines 3 and 5) are on the street, and Plaza de España is at the western end.
Tip
Walk it from Plaza de España toward Cibeles in the late afternoon, when the facades catch the light.