Templo de Debod at Parque Oeste
Unarguably, the best spot in Madrid to watch the sunset is the Templo De Debod, a temple given to Madrid as a gift from Egypt. Spot lovers snuggled up with blankets on the grass, and groups of friends sipping beer and wine as they enjoy the sun slowly lowering below the horizon. The park’s elevated hilltop location looking down on Madrid’s largest park, the Casa de Campo, offers panoramic views all day long, not just during the sunset. You can spot the palace and the cathedral, as well as the Rosaleda, a beautiful rose garden that sits below the temple and park. It’s also an ideal site for budding photographers to capture the sunset, so grab your camera and join them.
The view from the Azotea de Bellas Artes | @AlbertoAmortegui / Pixabay
The Azotea Roof at Círculo de Bellas Artes
Although the rooftop terrace at the Círculo de Bellas Artes will cost you €4 to enter, the 360-degree views you’ll see from high up are well worth the price. Take the elevator up to the seventh floor after you pay in the lobby. Weekdays are better if you hope to avoid the crowds, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get a seat on one of the barstools or even the sofa-style beds to watch the sunset. Lounge music beats softly in the background as groups of tourists and locals cheers with rounds of wine or gin-and-tonics.
The Hat rooftop offers sunset views | © The Hat Madrid
The Hat Madrid
The Hat is another cool rooftop spot to hit up at dusk. It’s actually a funky hostel, which you can also stay in if you’re looking for somewhere to spend the night. Although the views aren’t quite as expansive as some of Madrid’s other rooftop hotspots (think Spanish tiled rooftops versus views for miles), the funky cocktails, which actually come in a bag with a straw, make this a trendy spot to come with friends to drink, snack, chat and watch nightfall roll in.
The Hat rooftop offers sunset views | © The Hat Madrid
About the place:
Boutique, Quirky, LGBTQ-Welcoming, ModernParque De Tierno Galvan
This park, perched on a hill next to Madrid’s planetarium, has a number of fountains and statues, as well as plenty of space to relax and watch the sunset. You can make a day of it: start with a visit to the planetarium, and then head over to the Parque de Tierno Galvan in time for dusk. It’s also the location of Open Air Madrid, a portion of the park that’s dedicated to offering concerts and cultural events during warm weather. One of the most famous events is the Cine de Verano, an outdoor summer cinema where you can lay back in beach-style chairs and watch a movie.
Parque de las Siete Tetas (also known as Cerro del Tío Pío)
Yes, you read the title right. This park is called ‘park of the seven breasts’, aptly describing the seven small grass hills it’s famous for. Regardless of its interesting name, this grassy spot is a great place for a sunset picnic. As the park is slightly out of the city center, it’s not nearly as crowded as some of the other spots on this list, and you can enjoy views of the entire city center from afar. You’ll spot the domes and peaks of many churches in Madrid, the famous Telefónica building and the towering Colón building among the pink and red sunset hues.
A panoramic sunset over the Parque de la Siete Tetas | © Okado Ochieng / Instagram