La Pecera

Citorah PickRooftop bar

Azotea del Círculo de Bellas Artes

Citorah says The Círculo de Bellas Artes is an arts centre founded in 1880. Since 1926 it has occupied Antonio Palacios’s building at Calle de Alcalá 42, and its rooftop, the Azotea, is 56 metres above the street. A lift with glass doors runs from the lobby to the top, and Juan Luis Vassallo’s bronze Minerva, the Círculo’s emblem, stands over the building. esmadrid calls the view “one of the most spectacular views of Madrid”, with the buildings of Gran Vía “just a stone’s throw away”. If you only go up one rooftop, make it this one.

The catch Your entry ticket doesn’t guarantee a table.

Citorah PickRestaurant

La Pérgola

Citorah says A tapas terrace that esmadrid describes as enclosed and air-conditioned, for dining all year round, with views of the Metrópolis building, the Círculo de Bellas Artes, the Bank of Spain and Gran Vía.

Citorah PickRooftop bar

Ático

Citorah says The Principal Madrid, a five-star now in the Único Hotels group, stands on the corner of Gran Vía, at Calle Marqués de Valdeiglesias 1. Its public terrace is Ático, the restaurant and terrace on the sixth floor.

The catch The seventh-floor garden, El Jardín de la Gran Vía, is for hotel guests

Citorah PickMuseum

Thyssen-Bornemisza

Citorah says The Thyssen-Bornemisza, whose collection traces Western painting from the late 13th century to the 1980s, in the museum’s own words. It suggests allowing about two and a half hours.