Gran Via is an icon of Madrid, but a relatively recent one. In 1910 the works began, inaugurated with a silver picket in hand by Alfonso XIII. The idea was to create a great commercial and luxurious avenue that would bring the capital closer to the 20th century.
After the aesthetics imposed in the United States with the City Beautiful Moment trend, or the almost complete reconstruction of Paris by Haussmann, Madrid had begun its transformation with the Puerta del Sol -which had been under construction for almost the entire 19th century and has practically never stopped- and new more affluent residential areas were being created such as the salamanca neighborhood.
There were several proposals in this urban planning mess -such as the Velasco Project, on which the final layout was decided. It then took 20 years to finish the works, but for a more graphic explanation, that of artist and urban studies expert Erik Harley:
What to do in Gran Vía
Pérez Galdós Bookstore
Perhaps one of the most photographed doors in Madrid. At least, it should be. As we leave the chaos of Gran Via along Hortaleza Street, there is a corner of peace and silence, broken only by the murmur of passers-by walking past this always open door. In the Pérez Galdós bookstore, the volumes reach the ceiling, accumulate in impossible piles and the oldest and most delicate ones are kept in showcases. It’s the best place to find rarities (or to order them).
The bookstore bears the name of the writer Benito Pérez Galdós for a reason: in 1942, his descendants opened the doors of this store for bibliophiles and, to this day, they continue to find those books that are out of print or so difficult to find in the market. They have another location in Sagasta Street, 7 (El Galeón).
5 Hortaleza Street, Hortaleza, 5
Alcalá 31 Hall
This art gallery -located in a building designed by Antonio Palacios the new building, which was built to house the Banco Mercantil e Industrial, is one of the exhibition spaces with free and open access free managed by the Community of Madrid, along with others such as the Sala Canal Isabel II and the Sala Arte Joven.
In 2002 the building was inaugurated as an exhibition hall focused on contemporary art, exhibitions individual and collective works of mid-career artists or reviews of the trajectory of other consolidated artists. Also, coinciding with the ArcoMadrid Fair, art collections from Latin America are presented.
31 Alcalá St., 31
Musicals
In addition to being one of the most important commercial zones of the capital and one of the most photographed arteries in the city, in the axis of Gran Vía several theaters are concentrated in the area, which nourish their programming with some of the most successful musicals of the last few years and have given it the title of Madrid’s Broadway.
Undoubtedly the first to spring to mind is The Lion King, which continues to be a real crowd pleaser years after its premiere. But besides this, there are other productions that add to the offer of the genre such as Tina, the Tina Turner musical, or The Bridges of Madison.
Various locations
House-Museum of the tooth fairy
This unique museum opened its doors in 2008 in the building where, as Luis Coloma’s story goes, one of the most famous rodents in the world lives in a box of Huntley’s cookies.
In order to learn more about the history, the house, some curiosities and everything surrounding the figure of the Tooth fairy you can manage the visit to this museum in person or book tickets in advance via WhatsApp (something they recommend, given the small space) at this number: 634742768. Tickets are priced at 5 euros and children under 2 years old are free.
8 Arenal Street, 8
What to see in Gran Vía
Pavilion
In the many reforms that the center of Madrid has undergone, some symbols have been lost that only later have been recognized as such. The pavilion at the exit of the Gran Vía Metro station, designed by Antonio Palacios in 1920, was maintained until 1970. Once removed, it was donated to the architect’s hometown, O’Porriño in Pontevedra, where it remains in terrible condition. In 2021, the replica, which is not laid out like the original, was inaugurated.
Gran Vía and Montera
Telefónica Building
The Telefónica building is known as the first skyscraper in Madrid, although one had already been built in A Coruña four years earlier, in 1922, also influenced by the Chicago School. From the beginning it housed the National Telephone Company of Spain, which commissioned the project to the newly qualified architect: Ignacio Cardenas. He had previously been sent to the United States to work under the orders of Louis S. Weeks, an expert in the design of telephone buildings. Later, when the building was enlarged in the 1950s, he was not included because he was in exile in Paris.
Beyond the architectural importance of the building, the women telephonists who worked in it marked the beginning of economic independence for women in Spain. Always very limited because they had to leave their position once they got married.
Gran Vía Street, 28
Where to eat and drink in Gran Vía
Sichuan Kitchen
Lovers of spicy cuisine, the Gran Vía Zone is your home. In the case of Sichuan Kitchen (very close to Plaza de España) opened a few years ago after having broken the schemes (and tongues) of the neighbors of Usera. Now, in this new location, they continue to maintain quality, prices and followers. The spicy wan tun, the dried beef with special sauce (spicy, of course) or the Chong Qing noodles are a must.
Maestro Guerrero, 4
Sichuan Restaurant
A classic of Asian cuisine in our city where you can share various dishes for an irresistible price. We recommend the Douban sea bass, the spicy sautéed Iberian pork tear, and, for those who love casqueria, Fu-Qi-Fei-Pian, beef with tripe and bovine tongue.
Caballero de Gracia, 8
Fillet
Samantha Hudson’s most controversial music video was filmed inside this bar where Russian steaks are religion. Also the potatoes with cabrales cheese and the endless canes. In the lounge behind the bar, there are usually exhibitions and the occasional presentation. But the fun always happens when, elbow to bar, conversations turn into toasts. The Steak is the perfect place to start…whatever you’re going to start.
15 San Bernardino Street.
Cock Bar
Some of the glamour of the 1920’s is still palpable in this cocktail bar. The crème de la crème of every generation has passed through here since it opened: Dominguín, Mihura, Almodóvar, Dalí, Audrey Hepburn, Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra, Harrison Ford… Its founders were two great precursors of the Madrid nightlife: Emilio Saracho and Perico Chicote. The imposing chimney and soaring ceilings of this almost anachronistic temple with a British air continue to attract the most colorful people in the city and maintain the quality of its cocktails.
Calle de la Reina, 16
Sky44
is it a restaurant? Is it a viewpoint? It is Sky44. Its name is not misleading. It is a perfect terrace to see the sky of Madrid while having a cocktail or a hearty brunch. Overlooking the Plaza de Callao, the immensity of the capital city surrenders to the feet of this rooftop that, in spite of the impressive panoramic view it offers without the need to pay a ticket, is quite unknown: to go up you have to enter a building that has little to do with what is at the top.
44 Gran Vía Street.
The new Winnie the Pooh
The success of its twin brother, ‘el Winnie’ in Plaza de España, has brought Xiongzai Restaurant to the vicinity of Gran Vía. Its extensive menu is full of dishes of authentic Chinese food such as soups, skewers, baos y jiaozi and almost none of them are more than 4 or 5€. In addition, it has vegetarian and vegan options that are as good or better than the originals.
Calle de la Salud, 8.
A Ri Rang
If there is a formula for success for a restaurant, it surely has to go through one concept: quantity and quality at a good price. And A Ri Rang, which is an all-you-can-eat buffet korean meets these premises. In the middle of the table you have a griddle and in front of you a sheet on which you write down the dishes you want (from beef with sesame to marinated squid with Korean sauce). Once you order, it’s up to you to cook everything. In addition, they have other typical Korean dishes: from fermented food to bibimbap.
Calle de la Bola, 12.
Madam
Madam, which is French in its name, a couple of dishes on the menu (the selection of cheeses or the croque madam) and the decoration, is a restaurant that takes originality as a rule and almost as the only requirement for the preparation of the dishes that make up its menu. Some examples: Croquettes? Yes, but with cabrales cheese and baked apple and honey aioli. Salmon tartar? Like any self-respecting new opening, but with a jalapeño mayonnaise. There are also nems – Vietnamese rolls – but they’re duck.
Calle de la Luna, 12.
Next Level Arcade Bar
Next Level Arcade Bar is one of those redoubts of a Madrid that does not exist. The use of the arcade machines in this clandestine-looking place – it is in a basement – is unlimited. That is, you order anything at the bar, take a stool, stand in front of one of the machines and a nostalgic torrent is unleashed. And you play until you want to or until you feel that the person waiting to play has been waiting for a long time.
Tudescos Street, 4.
Chicote Museum
The name of museum is particularly appropriate to define what Museo Chicote is: a little piece of Madrid’s history. It could not be any other way since it is the first cocktail bar which opened in Spain in 1931.
National and international personalities have passed through its iconic revolving door: Ava Gardner, Rita Hayworth, Sofia Loren, Cayetana Guillén Cuervo or Alaska are just some of those who have visited this iconic art deco corner of the city and who today give their names to some of its cocktails.
Gran Vía, 12
This article has been written by Alberto del Castillo, María F. Carballo, Miguel Sanchez, Isabel Nieto, y Elena French.