Madrid is the perfect destination for a holiday, with plenty of activities and beautiful places to visit. Today, we invite you to discover the skyscrapers that symbolise the city's ongoing transformation. The different architectural styles of the buildings bear witness to the changes that have taken place in the capital.
To find out more, read on, and to discover all the details, book your Renfe High-Speed Train tickets, the best way to travel between France and Spain!
A symbolic building in the capital, the España Building stands 117 metres high and was built in 1953. Its symmetrical three-part façade bears witness to Madrid's exceptional development in the second half of the 20th century. The building has in turn housed a large hotel, offices and homes, but is now sadly derelict.
España Building
Built in 1960 and standing 142 metres high, the Tower of Madrid is located on the Plaza de España and for 28 years was the tallest tower in Spain, surpassing the España Building. There are offices, but also flats, some of which are inhabited by celebrities. From the terrace at the top, you can enjoy magnificent views of the Casa de Campo and the Gran Vía.
Built in 1976, the Colón Towers appear to be one and the same, but in fact consist of two symmetrical 116-metre towers. The architecture of this skyscraper differs from the others in that the beams and upper platform were laid before the lower sections were built.
It was the tallest building in Madrid until 2009, when it was surpassed by the CTBA towers. Located in the Plaza Picasso, on the Paseo de la Castellana, this 157-metre tower was built in 1988 and was the tallest building in Spain for 14 years and the tallest in the capital for 19 years. It was designed by the architect of the now infamous Twin Towers.
This 121-metre-high skyscraper, with its enormous clock, is also reminiscent of the style of New York's defunct Twin Towers. The tower features 30 storeys of office space, while the lower part of the building doubles up as a huge leisure centre when the pubs and nightclubs open at weekends.
Symbols of Madrid's modernity, the Kio Towers forming the Puerta de Europa are 114 metres high and particularly conspicuous in the cityscape, as they are leaning towards each other. They were inaugurated in 1996 and have exactly the same structure, the only difference being the logo they bear.
Only one metre shorter than the Bankia Tower, the Crystal Tower was the tallest building in the capital for only two years, but it is above all distinguished by its style: the diamond shape and the bluish colour of its windows make it, according to many Madrid residents, the prettiest skyscraper standing in the former Ciudad Deportivo training grounds, standing together with…
Successively known as the Repsol Tower and the Caja Madrid Tower, the Bankia Tower, designed by architect Norman Foster, stands 250 metres high and was inaugurated in 2009, making it the tallest building in the city and the country.
The neighbouring Space Tower (Torre Espacio) was completed in 2007 and stands 230 metres. It is distinguished by its rectangular shape at the bottom, which becomes curved on the upper floors.
The best way to return home after a great city break is on board a Renfe train, which combines comfort and technology for your wellbeing.
Eager to hop on a train to Madrid? Now you can do just that on AVE France, our international high-speed trains between France and Spain. The most comfortable, fastest and sustainable way to travel is by train! You can also take advantage of our discounts and get the best price.
Did you like our suggestions? Well, there is a lot more where that came from! Discover other original things to do in Madrid with Renfe.