Summary of Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure
Revenues	$ 460,968	$ 465,961	$ 463,103	$ 534,668	$ 543,417	$ 542,048	$ 541,818	$ 536,437	$ 1,924,700	$ 2,163,720	$ 2,084,126
Net income attributable to Vornado common shareholders / Class A unit holders	$ 193,217	$ 322,906	$ 2,400,195	$ 181,488	$ 100,494	$ 190,645	$ 111,534	$ (17,841)	$ 3,097,806	$ 384,832	$ 162,017
Net income per common share - Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.01	$ 1.69	$ 12.58	$ 0.95	$ 0.53	$ 1.00	$ 0.59	$ (0.09)	$ 16.23	$ 2.02	$ 0.85
Net income per common share - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.01	$ 1.69	$ 12.56	$ 0.95	$ 0.53	$ 1.00	$ 0.58	$ (0.09)	$ 16.21	$ 2.01	$ 0.85
Vornado Realty L.P.
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure
Revenues	$ 460,968	$ 465,961	$ 463,103	$ 534,668	$ 543,417	$ 542,048	$ 541,818	$ 536,437	$ 1,924,700	$ 2,163,720	$ 2,084,126
Net income attributable to Vornado common shareholders / Class A unit holders	$ 206,694	$ 345,501	$ 2,562,669	$ 193,649	$ 107,125	$ 203,268	$ 118,931	$ (19,014)	$ 3,308,513	$ 410,310	$ 172,733
Net income per Class A unit - Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.01	$ 1.69	$ 12.58	$ 0.95	$ 0.53	$ 1.00	$ 0.58	$ (0.10)	$ 16.22	$ 2.02	$ 0.84
Net income per Class A unit - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.01	$ 1.69	$ 12.54	$ 0.95	$ 0.52	$ 0.99	$ 0.58	$ (0.10)	$ 16.19	$ 2.00	$ 0.83