Gran Vía

What to expect

Gran Vía was cut through the old city in the early twentieth century to give Madrid a modern main street. Work began in 1910 and the last stretch was finished in 1929. It runs about 1.3 km from Calle de Alcalá, near Cibeles, to Plaza de España, and its buildings mix styles from Vienna Secession to Art Deco and neo-Mudéjar.

Today it is Madrid's theatre and shopping street. Many of the old cinemas have turned into shops or stages, and big musicals fill several theatres. You mostly walk it with your head up, looking at the cornices, domes and rooftop sculptures. A relaxed stroll end to end takes half an hour; add time if you stop for a coffee or a browse.

Don't miss

• Metropolis Building and its winged Victory
• Edificio Telefónica, an early skyscraper
• Capitol building and its Schweppes sign
• Rooftop domes and sculptures
• Teatro Fontalba and Teatro Coliseum

Tips for your visit

• Walk it from Calle de Alcalá towards Plaza de España so the Metropolis building opens the view and the evening light falls ahead of you.
• Look up: the best details are above the shop fronts.
• Go in the early evening, when the theatres light up and the street is at its liveliest.
• Combine it with Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España and Malasaña, all close by.