DISCOVER THE GRAN VÍA

Madrid's legendary avenue
Inaugurated at the beginning of the 20th century, the Gran Vía is Madrid's most ambitious urban project. Nicknamed the "Spanish Broadway", it stretches from the Calle de Alcalá to the Plaza de España and houses theatres, cinemas, hotels and shops. Its architecture blends eclectic styles, art deco and rationalism, making for a spectacular promenade.

Why visit?
Gran Vía is the beating heart of Madrid. Here you'll find fashion boutiques, theatres, restaurants and historic hotels. At night, the illuminated facades and neon lights are reminiscent of New York, with a touch of Madrid.

A brief history and anecdotes
Construction began in 1910 and took almost 20 years, radically transforming the centre of Madrid. Anecdote: during the Civil War, the Gran Vía was nicknamed "the avenue of the 15 and a half" because of the calibre of the shells that regularly hit it. Today, it is a symbol of modernity and entertainment.

What can you do there?
- Admire emblematic buildings such as the Metropolis, the Telefónica and the Capitol
- Attend a musical comedy in one of the theatres
- Shopping at major international retailers
- Take a stroll during the day for the architecture and at night for the lighting ambience
- Climb the rooftops for a breathtaking view of the avenue

Where is it?
📍 Gran Vía, 28013 Madrid, Spain
👉 See on Google Maps

Practical advice
- Accessible by metro (Gran Vía, Callao, Santo Domingo, Plaza de España stations)
- Ideal to visit at the end of the day to enjoy the illuminations
- Bring a camera: every street corner is photogenic
- Perfect to combine with Puerta del Sol and Plaza de España

To discover around
- Puerta del Sol
- Plaza de Callao
- Plaza de España
- Calle de Alcalá & Metropolis building

Audioguide
🎧 Listen to our immersive description of the Gran Vía on History Guide City Madrid !
Download the mobile application: