gran vía
from its best rooftops with an architect
Would you like to discover the history of the 20th century in Madrid, doing an architecture tour with a local architect, from the rooftops with the best views of the city?
Gran Vía with an architect
from the rooftops with the best views of Madrid
30,90
- walking tour
- duration
- 3h 30m
- languages
- english | spanish
- groups
- 4 to 10 people
- ages
- 12 and up
TRIPADVISOR 5.0/5.0 *
20th century
We propose you an exclusive and unforgotteable experience. Enjoy an architecture tour from the rooftops with the best views of Madrid across Gran Vía. You will learn more about Gran Vía and its surroundings from the urban, historical and architectural point of view since it was conceived more than 110 years ago until its latest reform. A different experience with which we will review the history of the 20th century and what we have lived of the 21st century through its buildings, with the best views of Madrid from exclusive rooftops of Madrid around Gran Vía.
rooftops
We will start on the rooftop of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, built by Antonio Palacios, where you will enjoy the best views of the city. Likewise, we will discover the history of other buildings such as the new headquarters of the City Hall or the Cervantes Institute, Torres Blancas projected by the architect Saénz de Oíza or Colón Towers, with its spectacular structural system, projected by Antonio Lamela. You will discover the history of the city from the origins to our days with exclusive views from the best terraces in Madrid.
circulo
de bellas artes
antonio palacios
After going down the impressive staircase of the Círculo de Bellas Artes and visiting the inside of the building, we will start walking along the first stretch of Gran Vía, stopping at Loewe, the luxury brand where Ava Gardner bought her exclusive bags before going to celebrate the premieres of her films with a cocktail at Museo Chicote. A bar that still maintains its original art-decó decoration, designed by Luis Gutiérrez Soto, where Pedro Almodóvar has celebrated his premieres in the 80`s.
*Loewe, temporary closed
fundación telefónica
We will visit the Telefónica Building, the first Madrid skyscraper, whose cultural Foundation we will enter together. We will continue the journey down the second section of Gran Vía, getting to know the old Paris-Madrid Mall, the first luxury shopping center in Madrid. Later we will recall the missing Hotel Florida in Callao where Ernest Hemingway shared nights with international correspondents covering the Spanish Civil War, such as John Dos Passos.
plaza de
españa
From here you will enjoy the views of the third section of Gran Vía with its cinemas and musical theaters along wich we will walk together to Plaza de España where we will finish at the final rooftop. A secret spot where we will have a drink while I explain to you the project led Porras La Casta that has changed this square with the best views of Casa de Campo, Sabatini Gardens, the Royal Palace and the Cathedral in the background.
- small group tour
- do you prefer a private tour?
small group tour
info
- duraTIOn 3h 30m
- languages spanish english
- grOups 4 TO 10 peOPLE**
- AGES 12* AND UP
- *younger than 12 years old
- only IN PRIVATE architours oR TAILORED Architours
- **if the minimum of four people is not reached, we will offer you another day or cancellation with refund.
starting times
- tuesday to friday
- 10:00am all year
- 11:00am winter | thursday 1 SEP – 31 JUL
- saturday
- 10:30am 15 sep-15 may
- sunday | public holidays
- 10:30am 15 sep – 15 may
- 03:00PM 1 noV – 15 JAN
- 03:30PM 15 JAN – 15 feb
- 04:00PM 15 feb – 1 may | 15 SEP – 31 oct
- 04:30PM 1 may – 30 jun | 1 sep – 15 sep
- 05:00 PM 1 jul – 31 agU
prices
- 1-4 persons
- 49.00€/p
- 5 persons
- 45.90€/p
- 6-7 pERSONS
- 39.90€/p
- 8 pERSONS
- 35.90€/p
- 9 persons
- 32.90€/p
- 10 persons
- 30.90€/p
- 12-15 YEARS
- 39.00€/p
- VAT INCLUDED
- tickets rooftops not incluided
private tour
info
- duraTIOn 3h 30m
- languages spanish english
- grOups 1 TO 10 peOPLE
- AGES 0* AND UP
- *under 16 with an adult
starting times
- tuesday to sunday
- 10:00AM | 10:30AM | 11:00AM
- CONTACT US IF YOU NEED OTHER STARTING TIME
prices
- from
- 249.00€
- 1P x 249.00€/p……. 249€
- 2P x 124.50€/p……. 249€
- 3P X 83.00€/p……… 249€
- 4P x 62.25€/p……… 249€
- 5p x 51.80€/p……… 259€
- 6p x 44.80€/p……… 269€
- 7p x 39.85€/p……… 279€
- 8p x 36.12€/p……… 289€
- 9p x 32.22€/p……… 299€
- 10p x 30.90€/p……. 309€
- vat included
- tickets rooftops not incluided
book now
meeting point
círculo de bellas artes
calle marqués de casa riera, 2
entrance rooftop ground floor
metro
sevilla L2
banco de españa L2
other
related architours
FAQ
No. Our architours are guided by a local architect, but they are offered in a colloquial language that will help you understand each style in its historical context, in a didactic way, whether you are an architect or a mere amateur.
If you are an architect, student of architecture or work in the field, let us know with your booking. In that case, we can propose you a tour in which we go deeper or use a more technical language. We recommend you book a private or tailored tour, just for you, adapted to your interests.
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.
No, the tickets for the rooftops and drinks are not included. You will be able to pay in cash or credit card at the entrance of Círculo de Bellas Artes before we start our architour.
TICKET CIRCULO DE BELLAS ARTES ROOFTOP AND BUILDING +5€
OPTION MORNINGS
We only offer the rooftop of the RIU Hotel in the morning so you do not have to wait in lines at the end.
TICKET RIU PLAZA HOTEL ROOFTOP | drinks not included |
+5€ MONDAY TO FRIDAY 11AM TO 5PM
+10€ MONDAY TO FRIDAY 5PM TO 1AM
+10€ SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS I ALL DAY
OTHER ROOFTOPS AT PLAZA DE ESPAÑA
If you do not want to wait queues and to pay an entrance, in the evening, we offer other rooftops with amazing views of the Royal Palace, Casa de Campo forest, the Cathedral or the Royal Theater. You could stay at the end having a drink (beer 5€) in a more exclusive and quiet atmosphere.
No, the entrance to other buildings, such as Fundación Telefónica, are included.
Most of our architours are led in English but also in Spanish.
The tour will be led in the language that most of the attendees speak. If you do not speak one of the two languages, we will always offer you an alternative in the language you chose when you booking
We do not do group tours in two languages n the same tour to avoid the experience taking too long and not enjoying it as we want.
Group tours and private tours last a bit more than three hours, and can be extended to three and a half, depending on the size of the group, how fast we walk, how busy are the rooftops or how long we stop answering your questions.
When we were done, you can stay longer on the rooftop, having a dring or taking all the photos you want. Keep this in mind if you plan to do another activity at the end.
Tailored architours are designed based on the time you have to enjoy the experience.
We offer you schedules based on the opening of the buildings and rooftops we visit and the weather of each season. Afternoon times vary so you can enjoy the views just before sunset from the rooftop where we finish.
If the schedules that appear on the tour page do not suit your availability, contact us with your request.
Schedules and some buildings included may be altered by private events outside of architoursmad. We will always offer you an alternative to do it another day or visit other rooftops with the same spectacular views of Madrid.
We ask you to be on time and to be at the meeting point 5 minutes before the architour start.
The architour finishes on a rooftop at Plaza de España with the best views of the Royal Palace and Casa de Campo. You can stay having a drink while you enjoy the views after we were done.
Unfortunately, parts of the buildings, rooftops and some parts of the routes are not always wheelchair accessible. Please contact us to discuss in more detail your mobility concerns so that we can best advise and we will try to design an adapted route in a tailored tour.
Depending on how heavy is the rain or wind, some rooftops may close or restrict access to some areas for safety reasons. Whenever possible, we will notify you in advance to find an alternative day. If this is not possible, we will cancel with a refund.
You can consult the cancellation policy in detail at terms and conditions
“The tour was really special. Emilio is warm and amazing at painting an image for you. He brings Madrid to life from the past to the present. He gages his visitors interests and subtly layers his tour with customized details. With more time I would take his other tour”.
Loic | NYC | USA
2023
tripadvisor *****
