Overview
Completed in 1619 under Habsburg King Philip III, Plaza Mayor is a vast rectangular plaza measuring around 130m per side, encircled by four-story buildings with 237 balconies. It once hosted bullfights, Inquisition tribunals, and royal ceremonies as the social heart of Madrid life. The bronze equestrian statue of Philip III stands at its center, and the mythological frescoes on the Casa de la Panadería facade are striking. A stamp and coin market fills the square on Sunday and Wednesday mornings. Pass through one of the surrounding arches (like Arco de Cuchilleros) to reach La Latina's mesones and famed bocadillo de calamares stands. Free to visit. 5-minute walk from Metro Sol (Lines 1/2/3).
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours
Travel Tips
Cafes on the square are expensive - have a drink there but eat at the calamari sandwich stands or San Miguel Market nearby.
Hotels near Plaza Mayor
Hotels and guesthouses in Madrid, Centro, Madrid
Other attractions in Madrid
Prado Museum
One of the world's great art museums, holding masterpieces by Velazquez, Goya, and El Greco.
Retiro Park
A vast park in the heart of Madrid, prized for its Crystal Palace and tranquil pond.
Royal Palace of Madrid
Europe's largest royal palace — Spain's official royal residence with 3,418 rooms.
Puerta del Sol
Madrid's heart and Spain's geographic 'kilometer zero,' home of the New Year's countdown.
Mercado de San Miguel
A 1916 iron-and-glass market by Plaza Mayor reborn as Madrid's gourmet hall.
Museo Reina Sofía
Home of Picasso's 'Guernica' and the heart of Spanish modern art.
Gran Vía
Madrid's Broadway, lined with early 20th-century architecture and musical theaters.