Advertisement

Cines Callao / Callao City Lights

    Information

    Located in the central Plaza de Callao, the busiest pedestrian square in Spain and the third in Europe, in an Art Deco building built specifically as a cinema in 1926 by Luis Gutiérrez Soto, the Cines Callao movie theatre is managed by Callao City Lights. There are two screens that can seat over 1200 people. ​Spectacular 3D images are also projected on its exterior screens!

    This cinema shows many of the capital's biggest premieres, shows and events.  On the front wall there are two huge digital screens (102m2 and 130m2) with the very latest technology, such as Augmented Reality, which can interact with audiences in the square.

    The cinema first opened on 11th December 1926, showing the film ‘Luis Candelas, el bandido de Madrid’.

    Cines Callao was the first cinema in Spain to show a ‘talkie’ film with sound, ‘The Jazz Singer’, on 13th June 1929, and also the first film shot in Hollywood in Spanish, ‘El cuerpo del delito’, on 21st May 1930. It also premiered the first ever technicolour film in Spain,  released in 1935, and the first 3D film in 1953.

    3D comes to Plaza de Callao

    Passers-by in Plaza de Callao can enjoy surprising 3D images that are projected on the exterior screens of the Callao cinema, a visual experience that to date has only been possible in places like Times Square in New York or Piccadilly Circus in London.

    This optical illusion is the result of the agreement reached between Callao City Lights and the creative firm, BCN Visuals.  The creative pieces projected are adapted to the changing light throughout the day, enabling the spectacular images to be appreciated.  Furthermore, the animation on both screens can be different, without the need for them to be synchronised, hence increasing the creative possibilities.

    Services
    Image
    Cafeteria
    Image
    Information points
    Last updated: 16/11/2022
    Practical Information
    Tourist Information
    Address
    Plaza
    de Callao, 3 y 4
    28013
    Tourist area
    Sol / Gran Vía
    Telephone
    (+34) 91 522 58 01
    Fax
    Metro
    Gran Vía (L1, L5)
    Santo Domingo (L2)
    Callao (L3, L5)
    Sol (L1, L2, L3)
    Bus
    001, 1, 2, 3, 44, 46, 74, 75, 133, 146, 147, 148, SE712, N16, N18, N19, N20, N21
    Cercanías (local train)
    Madrid-Sol
    BiciMAD bike-share scheme

    Docking stations:

    - Calle Jacometrezo, 3

    - Calle Miguel Moya, 1

    - Plaza de Santo Domingo, 1

    Price
    Times
    Type
    Cinemas

    Our suggestions

    Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum

    Embark on a journey through seven centuries of European art, from the early 1200s to the late 20th century, taking in works by the likes of Dürer, Frans Hals, Gauguin, Van Gogh and Kirchner.

    Prado Museum

    One of the world’s leading art galleries boasting works by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Titian, Rubens and Hieronymus Bosch, among others.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    Advertisement