Best Landmarks in Madrid
Home · Madrid · Landmarks
From the classic Royal Palace of Madrid and Cibeles Fountain, to lesser-known spots worth adding to your trip.
★ 4.7 · 134,456 reviews
Step inside the Royal Palace of Madrid, the ceremonial heart of the Spanish monarchy. Wander through opulent state rooms filled with art and antiques, either on your own or with a guide.
★ 4.7 · 57,583 reviews
Pause at the Cibeles Fountain, the white marble centrepiece of one of Madrid's grandest intersections. Take in the sculpted Cybele and her lion-drawn chariot, then photograph it beside the neighbouring Palacio de las Comunicaciones.
★ 4.8 · 11,021 reviews
Stroll Gran Vía, the avenue that defines central Madrid. Look up at the early-1900s facades, dip into the shops and bars, and watch the street change as the lights come on.
★ 4.6 · 205,108 reviews
Wander into Plaza Mayor, the arcaded square at the heart of old Madrid. Walk beneath the arches, take in the Philip III statue and linger at a terrace in one of the city's defining public spaces.
Pass through Puerta del Sol, the busy square at the centre of Madrid. Take in the statues and historic buildings and spot the clock famous for ringing in the New Year.
★ 4.7 · 6,373 reviews
Admire the Metropolis Building, the ornate landmark marking the start of Gran Vía. Study the golden dome and winged statue from the street, then continue along the avenue.
★ 4.7 · 63,954 reviews
See the Puerta de Alcalá, Madrid's neoclassical triumphal arch beside Retiro Park. Circle the arch to study its carved stone and sculptures, then continue into the park.
★ 4.6 · 33,357 reviews
Visit the Almudena Cathedral, Madrid's grand church beside the Royal Palace. Wander its colourful chapels, then descend to the Romanesque crypt and the museum.
★ 4.4 · 70,464 reviews
Watch the sun set behind the Temple of Debod, a real Egyptian temple rebuilt in a Madrid park. Stroll around its reflecting pools, step inside the small museum, and enjoy the open city views.
★ 4.7 · 10,421 reviews
Spend a day moving between two of Spain's historic cities on one coach tour from Madrid. You will see Segovia's aqueduct and Alcázar, then walk Toledo's medieval streets.
Stop by Plaza de España, a cinematic square designed by Aníbal González in 1929. Stroll around the plaza and take in the canal, where you can travel by boat.
★ 4.7 · 3,401 reviews
Visit the Monument to Alfonso XII, the grand colonnade beside Retiro Park's lake. Photograph it from the steps, or take a rowing boat out for the view from the water.
Take in Cybele Palace, the elaborate white former post office that now houses Madrid's council offices. Circle the building and the busy square in front to appreciate its ornate 1919 architecture.
★ 4.6 · 9,397 reviews
Find the Fountain of the Fallen Angel in Retiro Park, a sculpture of Lucifer falling from heaven. Study the angel's expression and the gargoyles below, then continue your stroll through the park.
★ 4.7 · 1,719 reviews
Leave Madrid behind for the Escorial, the monastery-palace built under Philip II. You will tour its courtyard, cloister, royal apartments and pantheons with a guide, then continue to the Valley of the Fallen's basilica and cross.
★ 4.6 · 15,108 reviews
Discover Teatro Real, the opera house at the heart of Madrid's cultural life. Tour its grand interior by day, or take a seat in the evening for a full opera or ballet performance.
★ 4.4 · 3,641 reviews
Discover the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, a working convent hidden in central Madrid. Follow a guided tour through chapels, tapestries, and a collection of sacred art.
★ 4.6 · 3,549 reviews
Walk into Las Ventas, Madrid's landmark Neo-Mudéjar bullring, at your own pace. Listen to the audio guide in the arena, then browse the museum's costumes and artwork and try the virtual bullfighting simulator.
★ 4.6 · 4,797 reviews
Look up inside the Church of Saint Anthony of the German, a Baroque jewel in central Madrid. Take in the frescoes that cover the elliptical walls and painted dome from floor to ceiling.
★ 4.7 · 8,957 reviews
Step inside the Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great, a neoclassical church with an enormous frescoed dome. Look up at the dome and find the chapel painted by Goya.
★ 4.6 · 16,154 reviews
Pause at the Neptune Fountain on the Paseo del Prado, one of Madrid's classic neoclassical monuments. Admire the white marble sea god on his shell-shaped chariot and pair the stop with the neighbouring fountains along the avenue.
★ 4.7 · 3,014 reviews
Visit the Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida, the small chapel where Goya is buried. Tilt your head back to read his frescoes across the ceilings, after watching the short introductory film.
★ 4.3 · 3,639 reviews
Explore medieval Toledo on a day trip from Madrid. Join a guided walk through narrow streets, then spend your free time at monuments of your choice.
★ 4.6 · 5,207 reviews
Trade Madrid for two walled heritage cities on this guided day trip to Ávila and Segovia. You will walk Ávila's medieval ramparts, enter its basilica, then stand beneath Segovia's Roman aqueduct and tour the cathedral and Alcázar.
★ 4.6 · 1,802 reviews
Join a guided tour of the Real Monasterio de la Encarnación, a working 17th-century convent in central Madrid. Spend about an hour among its artworks and see the reliquary of Saint Pantaleon.
★ 3.8 · 645 reviews
Stop outside the Congress of Deputies, Spain's parliament building, for a look at one of Madrid's most imposing façades. Study the columns and carved detail before walking on to the next sight in the centre.
★ 4.5 · 5,996 reviews
Head out to El Pardo Royal Palace, a former hunting lodge and later home of Franco on Madrid's northern edge. Tour the furnished rooms and chandeliers, then stroll the surrounding grounds if the weather allows.
★ 4.4 · 11,782 reviews
Step into Berlin Park, a shaded Chamartín green space with an unexpected piece of German history. Find the three sections of the Berlin Wall, then wander past fountains and playgrounds while parrots call from the treetops.
★ 4.6 · 2,556 reviews
Step inside Iglesia de San Jerónimo el Real, tucked behind the Prado. Admire the neo-Gothic sanctuary and stained glass, and enjoy a quiet pause between Madrid's museum and park districts.
★ 4.3 · 900 reviews
Pause at the Bank of Spain, the commanding landmark on Plaza de Cibeles. Admire its monumental facade from the street as part of a stroll along Alcalá and the Paseo del Prado.
Madrid · 🏛️ Landmark
Royal Palace of Madrid
2h
Cibeles Fountain
15 min
Gran Vía
30 min
Plaza Mayor
Puerta del Sol
Metropolis Building
Puerta de Alcalá
Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena
45 min
Temple of Debod
Segovia and Toledo Tour, Alcazar, and Cathedral
10h
Plaza de España
20 min
Monument to Alfonso XII
Cybele Palace
Fountain of the Fallen Angel
Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen
5h
Teatro Real
1h
Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales
Las Ventas Bullring Tour with Audio Guide
1h15
Church of Saint Anthony of the German
Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great
Neptune Fountain
Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida
Madrid · 🧭 Tours
Toledo Guided Day Trip
8h
Avila and Segovia Day Trip with Tickets
9h
Real Monasterio de la Encarnación
Congress of Deputies of Spain
El Pardo Royal Palace
1h30
Madrid · 🌳 Nature
Berlin Park
Iglesia de San Jerónimo el Real
Bank of Spain