The 6 Prettiest Plazas in Madrid, Spain
With 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Madrid is full of communal squares, where friends and family gather to meet, stroll and have food or drinks al fresco-style. To make the best of the Mediterranean climate, here are some of the loveliest plazas in the Spanish capital.
Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor
One of Madrid’s most famous tourist attractions, this spot dates back to the 16th century and is surrounded by 237 balconies facing inward to a statue of King Philip III and his horse. Once the site of public executions and town meetings, nowadays the square is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the scenery while having an al fresco coffee or beer. The best times of year to enjoy the square are spring when you can bask in the warm sunshine, or around the Christmas holidays when the plaza is decked out with lights and décor and the Christmas markets are in full force.
The Plaza Mayor at dusk | © Sebastian Dubiel/Wikipedia
Puerta del Sol
Puerta del Sol
This pedestrian-only plaza is a popular meeting point in Madrid. You can actually visit the exact center of Spain, known as the Kilometer Zero, in this well-known square. Most people like to stand on the plaque and take a photo of their feet. The plaza is also famous for its grand Tío Pepe sign perched atop one of the buildings, its bear statue, and the clock tower, the official timepiece that rings in Madrid’s New Year at midnight on January 1. Sol is also the site of Madrid’s many protests and strikes, so don’t be surprised to see large groups of students and adults with signs, peacefully fighting for their rights.
Madrid’s beer statue and clock | © Maryge/Flickr
Plaza de Olavide
Park
Plaza de Olavide
A quieter plaza visited mainly by locals, Plaza de Olavide is the perfect spot to sit out for cheap drinks and have that authentic Madrid vibe. Several terraces and bars line the circular plaza, and there are plenty of park benches and a fountain if you just want to hang out in the sun. There’s even a play area for kids, so parents can have a beer while the children run around.
Plaza de Olavide, Madrid, Spain
Enjoy drinks and snacks outside | © Casa Mingo
Plaza de Cibeles
Park
Plaza de Cibeles
This is a different kind of plaza, one you walk through, but not one to stop in and sit. Filled with traffic, it’s reassuring to feel like you’re part of Madrid’s endless movement in this square. Lined by some of the most famous monuments and streets in Madrid, the Cibeles Palace (which doubles as City Hall), the picturesque Cibeles fountain and the tree-lined Paseo del Prado are definitely worth seeing. Just up the street is the famous Puerta de Alcalá monument and the Retiro Park.
Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid, Spain
Cibeles Palace and Square | © Lori Zaino
Plaza de Colón
Library
Plaza de Colón
Plaza de Colón (Columbus Square, in English) features a giant statue of Christopher Columbus as well as views of the stunning Biblioteca Nacional, the National Library of Madrid. Also a busy traffic hub, this spot differs from Cibeles Square because there are more places to sit and relax, especially if you head toward the edge of the plaza to see Spain’s giant national flag waving in the wind and the Jardines del Descubrimiento, a monument dedicated to Spain’s discovery of the Americas. Don’t miss one of Madrid’s three famous Botero statues on the outer edge of the plaza near Calle Génova.
The Plaza de Colón | © Enrique Dans/Wikipedia
Plaza de la Villa
Cathedral
Plaza de la Villa
A charming pedestrianized square, this spot is located between the famous Plaza Mayor and the Almudena Cathedral, a nice addition to a DIY walking tour of Madrid. The plaza is interesting because several of its old buildings – some of which date back to the 1400s – have distinctly different styles of architecture, like Gothic or Baroque. You’ll really forget you’re in a large capital city when wandering around this plaza, as it gives off a very small town feel.
Plaza de la Villa, Madrid, Spain
The Plaza de la Villa | © Madrid Destino Cultura Turismo y Negocio
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.