3 Oct, 2026 @ 16:07
1 min read

These are the three ‘most beautiful’ cinemas in Spain, according to leading travel magazine

Madrid is home to three of the world's most beautiful cinemas
Time Out travel magazine has named three cinemas in Madrid among the 50 most beautiful in the world. Credit: Unsplash / TripAdvisor

PRESTIGIOUS travel magazine Time Out has named three Madrid cinemas amongst the 50 most beautiful in the world. 

London’s The Electric stood high in the rankings and Paris’ Le Grand Rex took top spot, Spain’s Sala Equis, Cine Dore and The Cineteca also recognised for their stunning design and cultural history. 

Claiming fourth spot is Madrid’s The Cineteca, the only venue in Spain dedicated almost exclusively to non-fiction films. 

Found in the old Matadero slaughterhouse and livestock market, the cinema opened in 2011, boasting an impressive floorspace and three screens. 

READ MORE: British actress Naomi Watts attacks ageism in Hollywood as she picks up prestigious Donostia Award at San Sebastian Film Festival

The Cineteca is Spain’s only cinema venue dedicated almost exclusively to non-fiction films.

Described as a ‘beautiful, unusual place’, the programme emphasises indie films and local artists, all chased down by vermouth and snacks in the ‘snug outdoor patio’. 

For film buffs, you can snag a season ticket of ten films for just €35. 

Next on the list was the century-old Cine Dore Filmoteca Española, dating back to 1923. 

READ MORE: Hollywood royalty descends on Spain: Brad Pitt and Penelope Cruz lead A-list line-up at this month’s San Sebastian Film Festival

Cine Dore Filmoteca Española was struck by a shell during the Spanish Civil War

A ‘beloved’ art deco building, the cinema has weathered many storms, including being hit by a shell during the Civil War and a twenty year closure. 

Dubbed a ‘cinephile’s paradise’ the venue was revived in 1989 and is now home to the Spanish Film Library. 

The luxe dress circle and velvet seats provide the perfect background to catch classics from Hitchcock to Jarmusch. 

Taking the magazine’s final spot for Spain is Sala Equis in 21st place. 

READ MORE: ‘Emily in Paris’ style TV show being filmed in Barcelona sparks fury for romanticising the digital nomad lifestyle 

Sala Equis was ranked in 21st place by Time Out magazine

Housed in a grand mansion turned porno cinema, it is now Madrid’s ‘coolest cine-spot’. 

After extensive renovations in 2017, the cinema has red velvet seats, a vine wrapped patio and a stellar lineup featuring old classics alongside the latest releases.

Click here to read more La Cultura News from The Olive Press.

Yzabelle Bostyn is an NCTJ trained journalist who started her journalistic career at the Olive Press in 2023.
Before moving to Spain, she studied for a BA in English Literature and Hispanic Studies at the University of Sheffield.
After graduating she moved to the university’s journalism department, one of the best in the UK.
Throughout the past few years, she has taken on many roles including social media marketing, copywriting and radio presenting.
She then took a year out to travel Latin America, scaling volcanoes in Guatemala and swimming with sharks in Belize.
Then, she came to the Olive Press last year where she has honed her travel writing skills and reported on many fantastic experiences such as the Al Andalus luxury train.
She has also undertaken many investigations, looking into complex issues like Spain’s rental crisis and rising cancer rates.
Always willing to help, she has exposed many frauds and scams, working alongside victims to achieve justice.
She is most proud of her work on Nolotil, a drug linked to the deaths of many Brits in Spain.
A campaign launched by Yzabelle has received considerable support and her coverage has been by the UK and Spanish media alike.
Her writing has featured on many UK news outlets from the Sun to the Mail Online, who contracted her to report for them in Tenerife on growing tourism issues.
Recently, she has appeared on Times Radio covering deadly flooding in Valencia.

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