Espacio Fundación Telefónica Madrid

Vintage skyscraper

Andrea from Madrid

""Espacio Fundación Telefónica" is one of the places that make me happy to live in Madrid. Completed in 1929, it was Europe's first skyscraper..."

Espacio Fundación Telefónica is one of the places that make me happy to live in Madrid. It has the elements you see in many great public buildings here - forward-thinking architectural design and an imaginative use of the space. Inspired by the skyscrapers of Manhattan with some added Baroque details and completed in 1929, this was Europe's first skyscraper and the tallest building too (for about 5 minutes!).

During the Civil War, Ernest Hemingway, John Dos Passos and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry sent their reports from here -- this building has some real history! Nowadays, it houses the Telefonica flagship store and a telecommunications museum and (my favourite part) the Espacio Fundación Telefónica, created when part of the building was remodelled in 2012, and now features an incredibly photogenic staircase and has very cool exhibitions - check what’s showing on their website. There is also an auditorium which has free concerts and a café.

The Espacio Fundación Telefónica is in what may be the busiest part of central Madrid, on the corner of Gran Vía and Fuencarral streets, but no matter how crazy it is outside, inside I have always found it to be an oasis of calm - it makes a wonderful contrast.

Art & culture

Coffee & tea

Relaxing

Buy one, Give one!

Share your 💚 this December

*on all products

Madrid Spotter Andrea

About Me I am a teacher and examiner who made a home in Madrid many years ago. I love live music, art, books, travel, food and dancing and am well served for all my interests in Madrid. I live on a special plane where I exist as an eternal tourist (check out Alain de Botton’s book The Art of Travel) who maintains a sense of wonder in a familiar place. I love showing people round my favourite spots in Madrid but am never happier than when I am discovering new gems. Why Madrid Madrid seduced me when I first visited, with its untamed and unapologetic Spanishness. We came ...

About this spot

Gran Vía - Montera

€

free

Website

915808700

Social

Nov 10, 2025

Our Madrid City Guide

Find your way with 266 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Madrid guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Madrid

La Mejor Tarta de Chocolate del Mundo

Chocolate!

"La Mejor Tarta de Chocolate del Mundo" in Madrid doesn't just make the best chocolate cake in the world because the names says so. It's not joking around.

Snacks

María José

Morr

Dec 3, 2025

Club Alma Sensai

Chic divine

"Club Alma Sensai" in Madrid is a private club for women but also open to a few good men. It is a concept in exclusive leisure, fun and elegance...

Art & culture

María José

Morr

Dec 3, 2025

Cafe Berlin

Dance for real

"Cafe Berlin" in Madrid is a legendary club that has concerts and music until the early hours in the morning! It is a mix of cinema, theater & 20s bar...

Music

Daniel

Ramirez-Escudero

Dec 3, 2025

El Doble

The legend of the best doble in town

"El Doble" in Madrid features the caña's bigger brother -- 330ml of beer. The lights here are bright, so forget about the ambience, though I still love it!

Bars

Snacks

Daniel

Ramirez-Escudero

Dec 3, 2025

Taberna La Daniela

The authentic Cocido Madrileño

"Taberna La Daniela" serves Madrid's typical meal, the cocido madrileño. For many locals, it's a tradition to come eat here at least once a year!

"Restaurante Don Giovanni" in Madrid is a high-level Italian restaurant run by star chef Andrea Tumbarello. Even the plain carbonara looks exquisite here.

Restaurants

Daniel

Ramirez-Escudero

Dec 3, 2025

Casa Postal

Unique & antique souvenirs

"Casa Postal" is Madrid is an old-school paradise for collectors of postcards, old photographs, dolls and more! Nostalgia is the protagonist here...

Shopping

Elena

Quintero

Dec 3, 2025

Guantes Luque

Artisanal gloves

Famous "Guantes Luque" has been hand-making gloves around the corner of Madrid's Puerta del Sol since 1886. They truly make them to last a lifetime...

Shopping