Architecture tour Gran Vía from its best rooftops 20thC

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Madrid, Spain

3 hours 35 minutes to 4 hours (approx.)
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

What's Included

Fundación Telefónica entrance
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.

Option to finish rooftop RIU HOTEL M-F 11am-5pm + € 5 M-F 5pm-23pm +€10 SAT-SUN-BANK HOLIDAYS + € 10 all day
Alcoholic Beverages

Drinks on the rooftops are not included
Entrance fee - Circle of Fine Arts

€6.00 per booking

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Azotea del Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid, C. del Marqués de Casa Riera, 2, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain
We will meet in fron of the entrance to the building at Calle de Marqués de Casa de Riera, 20

End point

Plaza de España, Madrid, Spain
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.

Itinerary

Circulo De Bellas Artes

1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Museo Chicote - Coctelería desde 1931

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Edificio Telefonica

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Edificio Carrion

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Plaza De Espana

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 20 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0

based on 74 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

The tour was very...

millerl619, Oct 2025

The tour was very informative about the history and architecture of Madrid. We went to some buildings I have never entered. My guide was very knowledgable

Amazing Architectural History Tour!

Annette_B, Feb 2025

Fantastic experience! Emilio was a wonderful and charming guide. Extremely knowledgeable about Madrid's history, eclectic architecture and current art exhibits. A thoroughly enjoyable and interesting time. Highly recommend this tour if you want to have fun and also learn about Madrid's architecture through the lense of culture and history. Thank you Emilio!

Response from Host, Feb 2025

Thank you for taking the time to write a review, Annette. I am glad to know that you enjoyed the experience as I enjoyed showing the history of my city to you both. I hope we meet again on your next visit to Madrid in another of my architours.

Overall very interesting and worthwhile tour

Nadine_F, May 2024

We enjoyed seeing the beautiful buildings along the Gran Via. The tour guide really knew his subject well. However, we felt that his opening talk about the history of Madrid was too long. To make matters worse, the weather was cold, windy and somewhat rainy. He needed to have a backup place to do his talks where we could be more comfortable when the weather wasn't cooperating. We also would have liked to see the interiors of more buildings and spend less time on the 2 rooftops.

A wealth of history and beautiful views!

Sepia_F, Apr 2024

Circulo de bella artes was definitely a treat! So much history and colorful and brilliant designs and construction through out the tour. Emilio was great and hospitable!

Madrid history, culture, and architecture

GT_T, Mar 2024

Tour guide Emilio was the right guy for this itinerary: an initial overview followed by in-depth walking tour of Gran Via. Architectural highlights placed in historical and geographic context. This one is probably mainly for the aficionado or at least those with a casual interest in details of architectural style presented with social and historical relevance. Some stairs involved, so no good for strollers and probably not for those under about 15 yrs old anyway. This is not a “light overview,” instead is rather specific. Highly recommend for the right travelers.

Fascinating and well organised

Eugenia_C, Jan 2024

Emilio is a brilliant guide, knowledgable and welcoming, and very organised. I found the tour fascinating and would not hesitate in recommending it. I learned so much about Madrid, from major milestones in history to intriguing anecdotes. Thanks Emilio!

Excellent - a unique perspective on Madrid

Thomas_Q, Oct 2023

Emilio is an excellent guide and as an architect and Madrid native is very knowledgeable about architecture but also about Spanish history. This was definitely our most memorable experience in Madrid.

Best Tour Guide I Ever Had

Lisa_K, Oct 2023

I gained a new understanding of the history and architecture of the city. I felt very comfortable exchanging ideas. After this tour I looked at the city with different eyes. can’t recommend this tour enough.

Emilio the Architect

Kristine_M, May 2023

The tour began on the rooftop, proceeded down Gran Via, ending on a rooftop so we saw buildings from numerous angles. Very interesting and we enjoyed it!! A tad too long.

Response from Host, May 2023

Thank you for taking the time to write a review, Kristine. I am glad to know that you enjoyed the experience. I am sorry that the tour took a little longer than usual, but as we warned you the day before, you were a big group and you asked a lot of questions that, of course, we loved answering.

Best Tour You Can Do in Madrid

Robert_F, Nov 2022

Absolutely amazing tour of the architectural history of Madrid and it’s most fascinating buildings. Emilio has a great passion for the buildings of the city and is incredibly engaging. The small group setting lends itself to meeting fellow travelers and Emilio is a wonderful guide. Highly recommend you take advantage of this tour.

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Thank you very much for your words, Robert. I really appreciate your review. It was a pleasure to share the morning with you , discovering the history of my city through its architecture and the views from the rooftops. You were a great group and I stil remember all of you. Hope we are meeting again soon doing another of my architours in your next visit to Madrid.

The history of Madrid

paulprzybysz, May 2022

The tour was fabulous. Only two rooftops, but lots of information on Madrid since the 9th century. Also a detailed review of the city's architecture with an emphasis on Gran Via. Note that the tour is approximately 3 hours long. Emilio is extremely knowledgeable and friendly.

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Thank you very much for your review, Paul. It was a pleasure to share the afternoon with you, discovering the history of my city through its architecture. I am glad to know that you enjoyed the tour and I especially appreciate your words coming from an architect who comes from Chicago, the city with the best architecture tours that I know. Hope we are meeting again soon doing another of my architours in your next visit to Madrid.

Rooftop tour and history of Madrid!

Yvonne_K, May 2022

Emilio is a well prepared and enthousiastic guide. He knows a lot of architecture and history of his city. We had a great tour!

Response from Host, May 2022

Thank you very much for your review, Yvonne. It was a pleasure to share the morning with you and Jan Pieter, discovering the history of my city through its architecture. I am glad to read that you enjoyed the tour Hope we are meeting again doing another of my architours in your next visit to Madrid.

Best views in Madrid!

Jennifer_S, Feb 2022

Emilio was a wealth of information and knowledge. We enjoyed every bit, even though we had a cold, windy day. Highly recommend taking this tour!

Response from Host, Feb 2022

Thank you very much for your review, Jennifer. It was a pleasure to share the morning with you and Mike, discovering the history of my city through its architecture. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour despite of the cold day. Hope you are enjoying the rest of your trip in Spain.

Madrid Rooftop and Architectural history

MuhammadQasim_A, Oct 2021

Emilio had an architect background. He is full of knowledge. 3 hours of cramming history and by then end of the tour one would see all the buildings including Primark one differently. Gran Via 👌🏻 Do consider this tour if you like to know how it all started .

Response from Host, Nov 2021

Thank you very much for your review, Qassim. It was a pleasure to discover the history of my city to your family. I am glad to hear that you are able to see the buildings and its history differently after our tour together. Hope you have enjoyed your first visit to Madrid.

Excellent!

Stephan_K, Feb 2020

This is an exceptional chance to learn about things you simply cannot find out by yourself. Truly wonderful and Emilio is ever so helpful and very friendly indeed. We felt in good hands and learned so much!

Response from Host, Feb 2020

Thanks a lot for your review, Stephan. It was a pleasure to show you both a small part of my city sharing the morning with you. Happy to know you enjoyed the views from some of the best rooftops in the city such as our secret hidden gems not so populars than the most touristic ones. Hope to see you soon in another of my architours in Madrid.

Guide architecte passionné et passionnant. Très belle visite.

Luigi_B, May 2024

Guide architecte connaissant très bien son sujet et passionnant. Très bon niveau d'anglais. Très belle visite.

Excelente!

SYLVANA_F, Sep 2019

O tour começa e termina com Madri a seus pés. Caminhamos pela Gran Via detendo-nos nos edifícios mais significativos. Emilio nos deu o contexto histórico e urbanístico da cidade e detalhes arquitetônicos dos principais edifícios. Observamos detalhes que, de outro modo, nos passariam despercebidos. Recomendo o tour inclusive para os moradores locais.

Response from Host, Nov 2019

Muito obrigado, Sylvia! It was a pleasure to share the tour with you and your parent. I learned and enjoyed a lot listening how your parent told us how he lived part of the history of Madrid that I explain in my architours. Hope to see you soon again discovering together other neighborhoods of my city.