Gran Vía: the great boulevard
Madrid's early-twentieth-century showpiece — the Metropolis dome, the cinemas, the rooftops, down to Plaza de España. This is a Claude-drafted route awaiting the editor's walk.

1. Edificio Metrópolis
Start at the curved corner where Alcalá meets Gran Vía — the 1911 building with the winged Victory on its dome, the most photographed facade in Madrid. Cross the road for the head-on view, then walk into the boulevard with it behind you.

2. Edificio Grassy
A few steps on, the rounded 1917 corner with the Rolex clock and the cupola. Look up; the whole point of Gran Vía is that you walk it with your head tilted back.

3. Telefónica building
Madrid's first skyscraper, a 1929 American-style tower that was the tallest in the city for decades and a shelled landmark in the Civil War. Stand across the street to take in the height; there's a free art space inside.

4. Cine Callao and Plaza del Callao
The square of the great cinemas, with the Art Deco Capitol building (the Schweppes sign) on one side. This is Gran Vía at full neon volume after dark; come at dusk to catch the lights coming on.

5. An azotea bar above Gran Vía
Find one of the rooftop bars — an *azotea* (rooftop) — for the boulevard from above and the city beyond. You don't have to drink; the view down the length of Gran Vía is the reason to go up.

6. Plaza de España and the Edificio España
The boulevard ends at the big square below the 1950s Edificio España tower. The plaza was replanted and reopened in 2021; cross it to the Cervantes monument. The Metro is right here.

Gran Vía: the great boulevard