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Gran Vía

    Information

    At over a hundred years old, Gran Vía, in the Sol / Gran Vía area, is one of the city’s main arteries and one of its most iconic avenues. Its construction, between 1910 and 1931, marked the beginning of the modernisation of the city, with the appearance of the country's first skyscrapers and the adoption of modern architectural trends originating in the United States.

    The project was intended to decongest the chaotic centre of the city, formed by a tangle of narrow streets, 22 of which were to disappear. It was carried out in three stages, starting at the point where Gran Vía meets Calle Alcalá. The first stage went as far as Red de San Luis, the second as far as Plaza del Callao and the third up to Plaza de España, each of them reflecting the new architectural styles of the years in which they were completed.

    As the project had to respect three religious buildings (the Caballero de Gracia oratory, and the San José and San Francisco de Borja churches, the latter no longer in existence), the line taken by the avenue was less regular than originally planned. The result is a magnificent series of buildings, which include some of the city's best known landmarks: the Metrópolis, the Telefónica building, the Casino, the Capitol building and the Callao cinema.

    Madrid’s Gran Vía is more alive and greener than ever before. Having undergone a vast renovation that was completed in 2018, it now boasts wider pavements which are perfect for window shopping and bar hopping as well as a bike lane that goes between Callao and Plaza de España. Designed with cyclists and pedestrians in mind, it has been fitted with new benches, lampposts, traffic lights and a large collection of trees.

    Services
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    Bicycle hire
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    Catering area
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    Information points
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    Shopping area
    Last updated: 20/02/2023
    Practical Information
    Tourist Information
    Address
    Calle
    Gran Vía, s/n
    28013
    Tourist area
    Sol / Gran Vía
    Telephone
    Fax
    Website
    Email
    Metro
    Gran Vía (L1, L5)
    Banco de España (L2)
    Santo Domingo (L2)
    Callao (L3, L5)
    Plaza de España (L2, L3, L10)
    Bus
    001, 002, 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 14, 15, 20, 27, 34, 37, 44, 45, 46, 51, 52, 53, 74, 75, 133, 138, 146, 147, 148, 150, 203, E1, C03, N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6, N7, N8, N9, N10, N11, N12, N13, N14, N16, N17, N18, N19, N20, N21, N25, N26, N27
    Cercanías (local train)
    Madrid-Sol
    BiciMAD bike-share scheme

    Docking stations:

    - Plaza de España B (calle de los Reyes, 18)

    - Sevilla (calle Alcalá, 27)

    - Calle Miguel Moya, 1

    - Calle Jacometrezo, 3

    - Calle Tres Cruces, 7

    - Calle Desengaño, 1

    - Banco de España A (calle Alcalá, 49)

    Price

    There is no charge for admission.

    Times
    Type
    Sights and monuments

    IN THE AREA

    Shopping: Gran Vía

    A shopping spree on Madrid’s most iconic thoroughfare and a guide to the finest shops.

    Espacio Telefónica Foundation

    The past, present and future of telecommunications and art go hand in hand in one of the most prominent buildings on the Gran Vía.

    Doña Manolita

    The most popular lottery administration in Madrid, famous for distributing many prizes, is located between Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía.
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