The Doré cinema was once a popular and thriving venue. It operated as a neighborhood cinema from the 1930s until its closure in 1963. In 1982, the city acquired the building to house the Filmoteca Española, an official institution of the Spanish Ministry of Culture responsible for preserving Spain's film heritage and distributing screenings. The careful restoration of the cinema revived the historic façade and main hall while new features were added, including a second screening room, a café, and a bookstore.
Calle de Sta Isabel // Terminator: Dark Fate
In June 2018, Terminator: Dark Fate was filmed under the working title 'Terminator 6: Phoenix' in the Santa Isabel Street area.
Bar La Dolores // Cable Girls
Set in the 1920s, the series Cable Girls (Las Chicas del Cable) follows the story of four women who witness a change in their lives and the world around them when a telephone company comes to the city offering employment. The company is the first of its kind in Spain and brings with it a wave of progress and development.
Plaza de Canalejas – Café del Principe // The Bourne Ultimatum
In The Bourne Ultimatum, Jason Bourne is on the run from agents of a new assassination program while searching for the origins of his life as a trained killer. Although the film is set in Turin (Italy), the filming took place in Madrid.
Lhardy Restaurante // Velvet
Filmmakers don't always shoot in the actual locations where a story takes place. Instead, they often recreate these real-world settings on sets, in different countries, or through visual effects. This approach may be driven by budget constraints, logistical challenges, or artistic vision, but regardless of the reason, the essence of a place can be captured and reimagined elsewhere.
Four Season Hotel Madrid // Money Heist
Is it a coincidence that Money Heist (La Casa de Papel), a series focused on a heist, was filmed in a hotel located within a complex of seven historic buildings that used to be banks? Approximately 3,700 original items and features from these old buildings have been preserved, restored, and reinstalled in the hotel. Five safes from various banking entities are now repurposed as jewelry display cabinets, while one serves as the hotel's entrance.
Casino de Madrid – Bar Las Estancias // Money Heist
Not only was the entrance of the Casino de Madrid used as a filming location for Money Heist (La Casa de Papel), but scenes were also filmed inside the casino for the third episode of Season 4. In this episode, the Professor (Álvaro Morte) and Berlin (Pedro Alonso) debate whether Palermo (Rodrigo de la Serna) should lead the Bank of Spain heist, and Berlin struggles with his bow tie.
Calles de los Jardines // The Bourne Ultimatum
Although director Paul Greengrass and leading man Mat Damon spent only five days on one occasion and three upon their return to Spain, the filming locations for The Bourne Ultimatum showcase the diverse geography of the city, featuring several panoramic shots.
Telefonica Building // Cable Girls
Cable Girls (Las Chicas del Cable), the first Spanish original series produced by Netflix, revolves around four very different women who work as switchboard operators. It follows the lives of Lidia (Bianca Suarez), Carlota (Ana Fernández), Ángeles (Maggie Sivanto), and Marga (Nadia de Santiago) as they work at the newly opened National Telephone Company in Madrid, navigating the challenges and joys that life throws at them.
Gran Via 34 // Velvet
In Velvet, a series about a prestigious fashion house in Madrid, Las Galerías Velvet is located at number 34 on Gran Vía Avenue. In reality, the building was originally a hotel until recent years.
Plaza de Callao // Money Heist
Callao Square, named after the 1866 naval Battle of Callao, is a lively central spot in the city. Redesigned in the 21st century, it became a sleek pedestrian area, keeping only the metro entrance and a large tree. Today, it's known for its giant digital screens and is a popular location for advertising and brand promotions.
