From Calle de Alcalá to Plaza de España, this living street full of historic building is considered a showcase of the early twentieth century architecture.
Here you can find a bit of everything: international stores, restaurants, coffee shops, theatres and so on. After all, this is the most important and commercial street in Madrid!
Enjoy the typical architecture among the most varied shops, head towards Plaza del Callao and enjoy the theatrical heart of Madrid, known as “Madrid Broadway”.
Complete the visit by going to Plaza de España and admire the mirrored roofs.
If the weather allows, enjoy strolling around Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de España, Palácio Real or Círculo de Bellas Artes, all less than a mile from promenade.
A thousand names Avenue
The construction of what is now Gran Vía had a troubled past. Planned in the nineteenth century, the construction of what would become the longest avenue of the time only saw its construction approved in 1904. This was followed by years of advances divided into three phases: the first one from 1910 to 1917, the second from 1917 to 1921 and finally the third and last phase, started in 1925, ending 4 years later.
During all these years, many names (official and unofficial) were associated with the construction of Gran Vía, such as Calle del Conde de Peñalver, Calle de pi y Margall, Calle Eduardo Dato Irandier, Avenida de la CNT, Avenida de Rusia, de la Unión Soviética or de los Obuses.