19 Famous Landmarks in Madrid, Spain (100% worth a visit)
With 3 million people, Madrid, the capital of Spain is one of the biggest and most attractive cities in Europe.
Although Madrid is much less visited than Barcelona, Madrid is a very lively city that offers many activities to do during a long weekend or a short stay: gastronomy, architecture, culture, shopping, nightlife… So yes, there’s no beach in Madrid, but you can be sure you won’t get bored!
Do you know what are the most famous landmarks in Madrid Spain?
Discover 19 of the best Madrid landmarks and monuments in this post!
The Full List of the 19 Famous Landmarks Madrid Has to Offer
We can find different kinds of landmarks in Madrid. To make it easier, we divided them into 3 categories: the squares, the museums and the monuments.
⛲️ Squares & Streets:
- Puerta del Sol
- Plaza Mayor
- Puerta de Alcalá
- Plaza de Cibeles
- Gran Vía
- Plaza de España
🏛 Museums:
- Museo Nacional del Prado
- Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
- Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
- Museo Arqueológico Nacional
⛪️ Monuments:
- Royal Palace of Madrid
- Catedral de la Almudena
- Temple of Debod
- Palacio de Cristal and El Retiro Park
- Mercado de San Miguel
- Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
- Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great
- Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
- Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
So, here’s the list of the 19 best landmarks Madrid has to offer. To learn more about each of these places, keep reading 👇
Famous Squares & Streets in Madrid
Among the famous landmarks of Madrid, there are lots of big plazas often decorated with beautiful sculptures and monuments that reflect the rich history of the city.
Let’s discover 6 of them 🔥
1. Puerta del Sol
The Puerta del Sol is the center of everything in Madrid. It’s the best spot to start your visit of the city since all the main streets start from here. It’s an iconic place in Spain, and a must for all tourists.
In the square, you’ll find the famous statue of the bear and the arbutus tree by the sculptor Antonio Navarro Santafe, who was inspired by Madrid’s coat of arms.
There’s also the clock of the Real Casa de Correos, where the famous carillon of the Puerta del Sol rings every end of the year since 1962; as well as the famous Kilometre Zero (KM 0) indicated on the ground which is the starting point of the Spanish radial. roads.
2. Plaza Mayor
After the Puerta del Sol, walk to the Plaza Mayor which is a wonderful historical square to see. They are only 4min walk from each other. It’s located few steps away from the Royal Palace and the beautiful San Miguel market.
In the center of the square stands the statue of Philip III, king of Spain during the 17th century, on horseback. The square is entirely pedestrianized and surrounded by arches and buildings of remarkable architecture.
Plaza Mayor is a very lively place where locals gather for celebrations such as Christmas or summer events. With its rich history, this square is now a must-see for tourists.
3. Puerta de Alcalá
Located at the beginning of Alcalá Street in La Plaza de la Independencia, the Puerta de Alcalá is one of the most emblematic and photographed monuments of Madrid.
Designed by Francisco Sabatini in 1778 by order of King Carlos III to replace the original gate first built in 1559, Puerta de Alcalá is one of the 5 royal gates of the city. Its neoclassical style won’t leave you indifferent!
It’s the perfect place to take a break on your way to El Retiro Park, the Gran Vía or the Plaza de Cibeles.
4. Plaza de Cibeles
Plaza de Cibeles is located in the heart of the Spanish capital, a few meters from the Retiro and at the top of the Passeo del Prado, which houses the city’s most famous museums.
In the center of the square, there’s the Cibeles fountain decorated with a sculpture of Cybele, goddess of nature and protector of the people. The Plaza de Cibeles is surrounded by buildings constructed between the end of the 17th and the beginning of the 20th century, including the Buenavista Palace, the Linares Palace and the Cibeles Palace.
It’s in this square that soccer fans come to celebrate the victories of their home teams.
5. Gran Vía
The Gran Vía is probably the most famous avenue in town! It’s the most commercial avenue of the capital, offering many local and international chains. In short, it’s the place to go for shopping, and it’s actually one of the best things to do in Madrid!
The Gran Vía is 1.3 km long and the project to build such an avenue dates back to the end of the 19th century. Built between 1910 and 1931, it was primarily intended to relieve traffic congestion in the center, similar to Haussmann’s work in Paris.
Very lively, the Gran Vía is also referred to as “the avenue that never sleeps”.
6. Plaza de España
Located at the end of the Gran Vía and very close to the Royal Palace, it’s in this square that the monument to Cervantes stands, one of the most popular places among tourists.
Decorated with a fountain, a pond and green areas, the square is surrounded by 2 important monuments: the Edificio España and the Tower of Madrid, one of the highest buildings in Madrid.
Covering 36,900 square meters, the Plaza de España is one of the largest in the country, and a must-see attraction for tourists.
Famous Museums in Madrid
Madrid has one of the most important cultural and artistic heritage in the world. As such, the city has amazing museums that are part of the most famous Madrid landmarks, all worth a visit.
Here are 4 best museums you can’t miss in Madrid 🔥
7. Museo Nacional del Prado
Located in the heart of the city on the Paseo del Arte, the Prado Museum is the most visited museum in Spain and one of the most important art museums in the world.
This giant art gallery, designed by Juan de Villanueva in 1786, traces the history of European art from the 12th to the 19th century. It houses more than 7,000 paintings, 900 sculptures and countless drawings and other artefacts in its permanent and temporary exhibitions. Among the Prado’s most renown works are some of the most famous Spanish paintings: Velasquez’s Las Meninas and Goya’s Tres de Mayo.
Definitely a must-visit, especially when in Madrid in winter on a wet day!
8. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
Located south of the Paseo del Arte, this museum forms with the Prado Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum the Golden Triangle of Art.
The Museo Reina Sofía exhibits modern and contemporary art. Chronologically, it’s situated after the period highlighted by the Prado Museum. There, we can find works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Joan Miro.
The museum was named after Sofía of Greece, Queen of Spain and wife of King Juan Carlos I. It was decided to establish the museum in the former San Carlos Hospital.
9. Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
Also on the Paseo del Arte, a few blocks from the Retiro park, the Thyssen-Bornemisza is one of the main museums of the city. Although it’s not as famous as its neighbors, the Prado Museum or the Reina Sofía Museum, the Thyssen Museum is a must for all art lovers.
It mostly has paintings, but also sculptures, all European and covering a period from the 13th century to the 1950s and the emergence of pop art. It’s housed in the Villahermosa Palace, a building of neoclassical style.
We can find sculptures by Rodin, but also all the greatest artists of recent centuries such as Monet, Renoir or Van Gogh.
10. Museo Arqueológico Nacional
Located close to Columbus Monument, the National Archaeological Museum is one of the must-visit museums in Madrid.
This beautiful museum covers a period from prehistoric times to the 18th century. Its permanent collection is composed of objects collected throughout the history of the Iberian Peninsula. You’ll also discover wonderful collections from Greece, Rome, Egypt and the Middle East.
Don’t miss the Biblioteca Nacional de España, located in the same building. It also houses an important part of Iberian history and culture.
Famous Monuments in Madrid
Of course, like most capital cities in Europe, Madrid has a lot of monuments including cathedrals, palaces, gardens etc… History lovers won’t be disappointed in Madrid!
Here are 9 of the best historical landmarks in Madrid 🔥
11. Royal Palace of Madrid
Located in the Plaza de Oriente in front of the Catedral de la Almudena, El Palacio Real is a beautiful and very important site in Madrid. It’s the largest royal palace in Western Europe and a very famous landmark in Madrid.
This castle has been the house of monarchs between Charles III and Alfonso XIII. Although the king no longer lives there, it’s still in this Royal Palace that visitors can watch the changing of the Royal Guard, every Wednesday and Saturday around noon.
Unless there’s an official event, the Royal Palace is open to the public to explore on a guided tour. Don’t forget to pass by its beautiful and richly decorated gardens, which are really worth a visit.
12. Catedral de la Almudena
Located in front of the Royal Palace, a few blocks from the Plaza Mayor, the imposing Almudena Cathedral is a recent century building of the 20th century.
Its construction spanned over 100 years, from 1883 to 1993, in which 6 different architects took part. That’s why the cathedral is a mixture of different architectural styles, mainly neoclassical and neogothic.
Its central location close to the historic center of Madrid, makes it an easy landmark to visit in Madrid. If you have time, you should go up to the panoramic platform where you can admire a breathtaking view of all the city!
13. Temple of Debod
Located just a few steps from the Royal Palace, this 2,200-year-old Egyptian temple was a gift to Spain in 1968 in gratitude for the support of Spain in saving the monuments of the Aswan Valley. Since then, it’s one of the most iconic monuments of Madrid.
Dedicated to the gods Amun and Isis, the Templo de Debod is located on a hill overlooking the Casa de Campo, and offers one of the most beautiful views of Madrid.
Photo lovers will enjoy shooting this temple during the day, but even more at sunset thanks to the lights that reflect on the water.
14. Palacio de Cristal in El Retiro Park
The Palacio de Cristal stands in the middle of the large Retiro Park in Madrid. This beautiful iron and glass structure is an example of the typical and highly praised architecture of the late 19th century in Europe.
This giant greenhouse built in 1887 by Ricardo Velázquez Bosco is strongly inspired by the Crystal Palace in London.
The palace is now part of the Queen Sofia Museum where you can see exhibitions. This architectural masterpiece with its lake will delight photographers.
15. Mercado de San Miguel
Close to the Royal Palace and the Plaza Mayor, the Mercado San Miguel is a great place to have lunch.
Like La Boqueria in Barcelona, it’s an old traditional market transformed into a modern gastronomic experience where you can taste food samples for free or have lunch. You can find everything in San Miguel Market: cheese, vegetables, fruits, seafood, sushi, chocolate, ice cream, sangria, wines, tapas, paella…
The flavors and smells are delicious and the building’s glass structure is enhanced by the daylight that shines through it. Shows are organized inside regularly.
16. Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
Located in the northeast of the center of Madrid, Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas are the main bullring in the city. They are often referred to as Las Ventas or La Monumenta.
It has a capacity of nearly 24,000 people, making it the largest bullring in Spain and the 3rd largest in the world. The Feria of Las Ventas gathers every year the biggest names in bullfighting who come to compete against handpicked bulls to ensure the show.
The most curious visitors or those who want to discover the place without attending a corrida can take one of the guided tours organized daily.
17. Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great
Located in the center of the city not far from the Catedral de la Almudena, the Real Basílica de San Francisco el Grande is a work of classicism from the 18th century.
King Charles III ordered the construction of this church, which was designed by Francisco Cabezas in 1761 and executed by Francisco Sabatini and Miguel Fernández in 1784.
Its magnificent façade is characterized by a huge dome of 33 meters in diameter. The interior contains an important art gallery in the cloister, as well as decorative paintings by prestigious artists, including Goya and Zurbarán.
18. Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Located in the Chamartín district in the heart of Madrid, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is one of the best monuments to visit during your stay. The fame of this arena comes from its history, but above all from its owner: the famous Real Madrid team.
Inaugurated in 1947 under the initiative of the former club’s president Santiago Bernabéu, the stadium can accommodate more than 81,000 people.
Like in most large stadiums, visitors can discover the stadium’s backstage during daily free tours that cover the most iconic parts of the stadium.
19. Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Located 1-hour drive northwest from Madrid, the Royal Monastery of El Escorial is a former residence of the king of Spain. Also accessible by public transportation, visiting El Escorial is a day-trip from Madrid you can’t miss if you’re around.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, it’s one of Spain’s most impressive architectural gems. Built in 1584 by Philipp II, the Monastery of El Escorial also houses the tombs of 26 kings of the Bourbon and Habsbourg houses, as well as a huge library from the 16th century.
Located on a site of an exceptional beauty where the mountains can be seen in the distance, El Escorial impresses by its power and the splendor of its architecture and gardens.
Madrid Landmarks Map
To get my Madrid famous landmarks map, simply click on the image below to open it in Google Maps. Then click on the “star” icon to save it to your own maps.
More Landmarks in Spain
Want to discover more Spain landmarks? Well, here are some other posts that will be useful to you!
The main guide of all the best landmarks in all Spain 👉 The Very Best Landmarks in Spain
You can also find here the best landmarks of Catalonia’s capital city 👉 The Very Best Landmarks in Barcelona
And if you’re visiting Spain, here are some travel guides that might help you:
And for even more, you can check all our Spain travel guides!
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