Architecture tour Gran Vía from its best rooftops 20thC

5.0 (74 reviews) 3 h 35 min – 4 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

74 reviews

5.0

Callao roof — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Roof Circle — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

We propose you learning something else about Gran Vía and surroundings from the urban, historical and architectural point of view since it was conceived more than 100 years ago until its recent last reform. We will start on the rooftop of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, projected by Antonio Palacios, where you will enjoy the best views of the city. Likewise, we will know the history of other buildings such as the new headquarters of the City Council or the Cervantes Institute, Torres Blancas or Colón Towers. After going down the impressive staircase of the Círculo de Bellas Artes and visiting the building inside, we will start walking the first stretch of Gran Vía, stopping at Loewe, the luxury brand where Ava Gardner bought his exclusive bags before going to celebrate the premiere of his films at Museo Chicote with a cocktail together with bullfighters like Luis Miguel Dominguín, as Almodovar has done later in the 80`s. We will visit the Telefónica Building, the first Madrid skyscraper, whose cultural Foundation we will access together. We will continue the journey through the second section of Gran Vía, knowing the old Paris-Madrid Mall, the first luxury shopping center in Madrid. Later we will remember the missing Hotel Florida in Callao where Ernest Hemingway shared nights with international correspondents covering the Spanish Civil War. From here you will enjoy the views of the third section of Gran Vía with its cinemas and musical theaters that we will walk together to Plaza de España where we will finish at the last rooftop. A secret corner where we will have a drink while I tell you the project that will change this square with the Casa de Campo, Sabatini Gardens and the Royal Palace in the background.

Other things to note

Access to the first rooftop is not included (+5€/pax).

It is offered as an option to finish the tour on the rooftop of the new Hotel Riu Plaza de España on the 27th floor with amazing views.

Access MON-FRI +5€/pax till 6pm (no queue) +10€/pax from 6pm (queue of 20-30min).

SAT-SUN +10€ ALL DAY (queues in the afternoon-evening)

I offer other rooftops at the end of the architous without paying an entrance.

The acces to all the rest of the buildings is included.

You can have something to drink on the rooftops where we will stop at the beginning or at the end of the architour as an option.

Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Architecture Tours Historical Tours Art Tours Walking Tours Additional fees

At a glance

Duration: 3 h 35 min – 4 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: architoursmad

Ages: Youth (11–15 years) · Adults (16–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Fundación Telefónica entrance
Included: The visit led by a local architect who will give you the artistic historical context of the buildings, accompanied by plans and historical photos to understand the urban development of the city in each period.

Not included

Not included: Option to finish rooftop RIU HOTEL M-F 11am-5pm + € 5 M-F 5pm-23pm +€10 SAT-SUN-BANK HOLIDAYS + € 10 all day
Not included: Alcoholic beverages: Drinks on the rooftops are not included
Not included: Entrance fees: Circle of Fine Arts

Itinerary

Circulo De Bellas Artes

1 h 15 min Admission not included

We will start on the rooftop from where we will explain the urban and architectural development of the city while enjoying the best views of the city. Then we will go down the impressive staircase visiting the interior of the Antonio Palacios building.
Stop 2

5 min

We will get into the art-deco atmosphere that Luis Gutiérrez Soto projected in 1931, where Hollywood stars such as Ava Gadner to Almodovar have celebrated the premieres of their films in Madrid.
Edificio Telefonica

20 min

We will visit the interior of the first skyscraper in Madrid, knowing how it was when it was built in 1929 and its last reform in 2012.
Edificio Carrion

5 min

We will learn about the history of the 1933 building with the famous Schweppes neons and its surroundings in Plaza del Callao.
Plaza De Espana

15 min Admission not included

We will finish on a rooftop at Plaza de España with amazing views of the Royal Palace, the Cathedral,. the Royal Theater and Casa de Campo forest. You could stay having a drink while you enjoy the views.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

We will meet in fron of the entrance to the building at Calle de Marqués de Casa de Riera, 20

End point

We will end up in a secret terrace of a hotel where you can stay having a drink while enjoying the views the Royal Palace, the Cathedral or Casa de Campo forest.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.