The Top 8 Things To See And Do Around Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor is one of Madrid’s most famous squares. Thanks to its central location, there’s plenty to do in and around the plaza. Here’s our list of what you shouldn’t miss.

Have a Drink Al Fresco

Although sitting outside for a drink or a meal in the plaza is a bit overpriced and touristy, it’s definitely fun to do at least once. There are plenty of outdoor cafes to choose from, here’s a list of our favorites. It’s best to do this on a sunny spring day when you’ve been exploring the city and need a break.

Outdoor drinks in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.

Walk The Square

Shop the Christmas Markets

Some people spend the whole year waiting for Madrid’s epic holiday decorations and lights, which cover not only the Plaza Mayor but the entire city center. The plaza also sets up market stalls, selling all sorts of holiday trinkets, decorations and more. The market even sells crazy wigs and gag gifts in honor of Spain’s version of April Fool’s Day, El Día de los Santos Inocentes, which falls on 28th of December. Even if you don’t feel like shopping, at least check out the plaza at night in January and February, when it’s all lit up with holiday lights and cheer.

1. Mercado de San Miguel

Cheesemonger, Market, Spanish

As the plaza is only a small square, once you’ve strolled it, had a drink and checked out any market stalls, that’s pretty much all you can do inside. So, it’s time to head out of the square and visit the Mercado de San Miguel, just a minute away. One of the most popular markets in Madrid, this is a tourist attraction you just can’t miss. You’ll be mesmerized by the the plethora of traditional food and drink offerings: ham legs dangling from the ceilings, wheel after wheel of cured cheese and seafood delights you never knew even existed.

Explore Calle Cava Baja

Exit the market and head down one of Madrid’s coolest streets: Calle Cava Baja. Curvy and covered in cobblestones, this street has some of Madrid’s most traditional tapas bars and restaurants. Pop into any of them for a drink and a tapa, or simply enjoy wandering down the street and taking the whole ambiance in.

2. Check Out the Puerta Del Sol

The nearby Puerta del Sol is another one of Madrid’s well-known plazas. Though it’s not as breathtaking as the Plaza Mayor, it does have some fun things to check out, like the bear statue, the giant Tio Pepe sign, the clock tower, a fountain and the Kilometer Zero plaque, which is supposedly the exact center of Spain.

3. Visit the Cathedral

Cathedral, Church

Head down Calle Mayor to check out Madrid’s famous cathedral, the Almudena. There are plenty of very old churches in Madrid, but this particular one is on the newer side, with construction starting in 1879. Still, its modern interior is quite different from any other church you might see in Spain, and is definitely worth a visit, even if you simply snap some photos of its stately exterior.

Catedral de Almudena,Calle de Bailén, 10, 28013 Madrid, +34 915 42 22 00

A view of the palace and cathedral | © Lori Zaino

4. Visit the Palace

Building, Cathedral

Madrid’s Palacio Real is located right next to the cathedral, and if you don’t pay to visit the interior, the exterior is just as exciting to check out. With a special set of gardens, with maze-like trees and bushes around a pond, a plaza filled with statues and the building itself detailed in gold, it’s truly a beautiful site to see.

Palacio Real, Calle de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid,+34 914 54 87 00

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.