Calle de Alcalá Tours and Activities

Panorama of Crossing the Calle de Alcala and Gran Via in Madrid
Panorama of Crossing the Calle de Alcala and Gran Via in Madrid
The current City Hall of Madrid is the Communications Palace or "Palacio de las Comunicaciones". It is a magnificent building situated along the south side of the Cibeles Square. In 2007 the building was transformed into the new home of Madrid's city council. Even though Madrid's city hall looks like a high-gothic cathedral, it was originally built in the early 20th century as the main office of the Spanish postal service, hence its name Communications Palace. It continued to serve that purpose for about a century until November 2007 when it took over the function of city hall from the much less impressive "Casa de la Villa" at the Plaza de la Villa Square.
Erected in 1778 by Italian architect Francesco Sabatini, this triumphal gate was once the main entrance to the city. It was commissioned by King Charles III - over time nicknamed the Best Mayor of Madrid -, who was unimpressed by the gate that welcomed him when he first arrived in 1759. It is situated next to El Retiro Park in the centre of Plaza de la Independencia, a junction for three of the city’s most well-known streets: Calle de Alcalá, the city’s longest road, Calle de Alfonso XII, which leads to Atocha train station, and Calle de Serrano, Madrid’s most glamorous thoroughfare. Designed by Sabatini, Puerta de Alcalá is a neoclassical triumphal arch made of granite. It was the first of its kind to be built after the fall of the Roman Empire, making it even older than Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate or the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Unlike the smaller Puerta de Toledo and Puerta de San Vicente gates, which are also located in the centre of the city, Puerta de Alcalá has a total of five arches, not three. Each side of the gate has a different design. The one looking towards the city centre is crowned by sculptures of war trophies such as flags, weapons, breastplates and helmets, and its three rounded arches are decorated with the head of a lion. The other side, which is the one travellers would first behold when they arrived in the city, is more ornately decorated and is crowned by the royal coat of arms held up by Fame helped by a child. Along the top of the gate, you’ll find the figures of four children that are an allegory of the cardinal virtues: fortitude, justice, temperance and prudence. The gate was given the name Puerta de Alcalá because it was on the road that led to Alcalá de Henares, Cervantes’ hometown.
The Puerta de Toledo gate was built to commemorate the arrival in Madrid of Fernando VII, 'the Desired One'. It appears that the project for the gate was carried out under the reign of José Bonaparte, although the return of Fernando VII to the throne put it on halt; its construction was later entrusted to Antonio López Aguado. López Aguado used granite and stone from Colmenar to build a gate in Neo-Roman style and it was completed in 1827. With three arches, two lateral square arches and one central semi-circular arch, the Puerta de Toledo gate has openings flanked by half-columns with Ionic capitals in the central arch and Ionic pilasters in the others. On the side facing the Manzanares River, a group of sculptures made by Valeriano Salvatierra and Ramón Barba was installed above the central arch. These sculptures represent the power of the Spanish monarchy on both hemispheres. Also on this side, in the upper part of the other two arches, several military trophies were placed. Finally, on the opposite side of the monument, two angels support the emblem of the City of Madrid.

Tours & day trips

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Day Tour to Toledo, Segovia & Optional Visit to Avila - 3 Cities in 1 Day

Day Tour to Toledo, Segovia & Optional Visit to Avila - 3 Cities in 1 Day

Activity duration is 11 hours
9.4 out of 10 with 898 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is AU$112 per adult
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Private & custom tours

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Madrid: Private City Tour by Eco Tuk Tuk

Madrid: Private City Tour by Eco Tuk Tuk

Activity duration is 1 hour
9.8 out of 10 with 993 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is AU$129 per adult*
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Food, drink & nightlife

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Madrid: "Emociones" Live Flamenco Performance

Madrid: "Emociones" Live Flamenco Performance

9.6 out of 10 with 1736 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is AU$47 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

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Madrid: Private City Tour by Eco Tuk Tuk

Madrid: Private City Tour by Eco Tuk Tuk

Activity duration is 1 hour
9.8 out of 10 with 993 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is AU$129 per adult*
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Attractions

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Madrid in a Day, including Skip-the-Line to Royal Palace & Prado Museum

Madrid in a Day, including Skip-the-Line to Royal Palace & Prado Museum

Activity duration is 4 hours
9.4 out of 10 with 31 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is AU$169 per adult
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Popular places to visit

Church of San Manuel y San Benito which includes a park, a sunset and flowers

Church of San Manuel y San Benito

Admire the impressive neo-Byzantine architecture of this century-old landmark before passing through the entrance to discover a fascinating array of artwork.

Church of San Manuel y San Benito
Retiro Park Lake

Retiro Park Lake

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Retiro Park Lake during your travels in Madrid. Take in the fascinating museums in this walkable area.

Retiro Park Lake
VIEW OF BUILDINGS AGAINST CLEAR SKY

Alfonso XII Monument

You can find out about the history of Madrid with a visit to Alfonso XII Monument. Discover the acclaimed theatre scene and shops in this vibrant area.

Alfonso XII Monument
Puerta de Alcala featuring flowers, night scenes and a monument

Puerta de Alcalá

Madrid's iconic city gate is a work of art in its own right.

Puerta de Alcalá
Puerta de Alcala featuring night scenes and heritage architecture

Milla de Oro

During your visit to Madrid, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Milla de Oro. While in this culturally rich area, you can savour the lively bars.

Milla de Oro

Casa Arabe

Enjoy an outing to Casa Arabe during your stay in Madrid. Discover the acclaimed theatre scene and shops in this vibrant area.

Casa Arabe

Top Calle de Alcalá Hotel & Accommodation Deals

Hotel Regina

Hotel Regina

4 out of 5
Alcala 19 Madrid Madrid
Hotel Regina
Hotel Riu Plaza España

Hotel Riu Plaza España

4 out of 5
C/ Gran Via, 84 Madrid
Hotel Riu Plaza España
Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid

Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid

5 out of 5
Velazquez 8 Madrid Madrid
Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid
H10 Puerta de Alcalá 4* Sup

H10 Puerta de Alcalá 4* Sup

4 out of 5
Alcala, 66 Madrid Madrid
H10 Puerta de Alcalá 4* Sup
Hotel Gran Versalles

Hotel Gran Versalles

4 out of 5
Covarrubias 4 Madrid Madrid
Hotel Gran Versalles
Only YOU Hotel Atocha

Only YOU Hotel Atocha

4 out of 5
Paseo Infanta Isabel 13 Madrid
Only YOU Hotel Atocha
Bless Hotel Madrid, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World

Bless Hotel Madrid, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World

5 out of 5
62 Velazquez St Madrid Madrid
Bless Hotel Madrid, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World
Live It Gran Via

Live It Gran Via

2.5 out of 5
Calle Gran Vía 36 Madrid
Live It Gran Via
NH Collection Madrid Colón

NH Collection Madrid Colón

4 out of 5
Calle Marqués de Zurgena, 4 Madrid
NH Collection Madrid Colón
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