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Grand plaza or square near center of Madrid with beautiful buildings and a statue. However, bc of its location near the center of the city, it's constantly packed, a bit dirty, and especially if you walk by at night it's quite popular with homeless people. There are some nice restaurants but also lots of touristy merch shops. We came during May 1 and 2 and there were also protests/marches and parades that started from there. It's basically Times Square in NYC.
We stayed near Plaza Mayor during a two-day weekend trip in Madrid, and it was good for finding a few restaurants/bars, and for walking around, but there's not too much else exciting to do. There are buildings all around the Plaza, but most of them are not open to the public, so they're more for just seeing from the outside, though they are beautiful in their architecture and grandeur. A few statues do pepper the Plaza, so those were neat to see and read about as we passed them. Aside from restaurants, bars, and statues, there are a lot of vendors and performers in the middle of the Plaza, if those types of things interest you. A server at one restaurant we ate at did tell us to not take out our phones or wallets very obviously, because pickpockets do frequent the area, so just be aware of your surroundings (according to our server, anyway). Plaza Mayor is a nice little area for seeing some statues/buildings, eating, and drinking - but I wouldn't necessarily make it more than a few hour stop in your Madrid itinerary.
Plaza Mayor is the city square in Madrid. It's an incredibly large space surrounded by baroque finery. You'll find lots of shops and restaurants here, and often there are cafe tables around the place; it's a nice place for people watching. Something that piqued my interest as someone who loves history is that several of the buildings were built by monarchs of the Hapsburg dynasty (those of the chins!). In fact, the neighborhood in which this is located gets its name from Hapsburg Spain. It'll be hard to miss the square, as you'll probably have to go through or near it to do some of the stuff you'll be visiting in Madrid. So take a few minutes to wander, watch, and enjoy.
I had to stay in Madrid for a couple of extra days and was happy to learn paseo, taking a long leisure stroll through the city center in the evening, Plaza Mayor is a grand square with beautiful surrounding buildings. There are many restaurants in the square, and some of them are interesting, for example, Torre del Oro that has artifacts about bullfighting. I saw engravings on the base of some of the light poles in the square and was told that these depicted the cruelty of the inquisition in history.
Plaza Mayor, located in the heart of Madrid. Beautiful architecture with a large statue of PhillipIII in the center. The plaza has great energy, lots of people, and it's big so it doesn't feel too crowded. Street artists playing music, artist painting, and lots of restaurants to choose from within the area. A little touristy but fun. Great place to sit, have a glass of wine and watch the people.
The Plaza was once the center of Old Madrid and is now within walking distance of the Puerta del Sol and the Royal Palace. It's also the perfect place to enjoy a churro with a cup of hot, thick, Spanish chocolate while taking in the architectural splendors from a nearby bench or one of the rooftop spaces. You just may feel as if you've been transported to the old world.
We had the Plaza to ourselves on day of visit. Only few tourists and locals were visible. Reasons: 1. early morning time 2. Beginning of springtime 3. Covid-19 crisis time ( pandemic) I would imagine how beautiful the Plaza if people are gathered around. Lots of shops, restaurants and comprise the compound. Before visiting, we were scared of the information we got that this is the place where pickpocketing usually happens regularly. Glad we were not able to experience it. Definitely this place has a charm! Worth visiting .
If huge crowds, souvenir shops, and coffee shops with no available seating is your thing, then Plaza Mayor was made just for you. But seriously. It's insane how busy it is. However, it is worth seeing and reading about. It was this square where many (all?) of the executions happened during the Spanish Inquisition. So it carries quite a bit of history that's worth taking on amongst all the chatter and elbows. Not to mention, it's in an area that I would describe as "desirable" to visit. Lots of good places to get a drink or a bite to eat. Plaza Mayor will not be a highlight, but go just to say you did.
Its just like any other major European plaza/square/piazza... -Masses of tourists -Dozens of street performers -A dozen or so pickpockets -Overpriced touristy restaurants -Touristy shops that no local would ever step foot in. -Incredible architecture and art. -Big open flat space with a statue of someone important in the middle, no matter how much evil that person maybe guilty of(ie. murder, slavery, rape, theft) Definitely worth at least a quick walk through if you're in town. Question is, are you the tourist that hangs out for hours drinking overpriced drinks and smoking cigarettes? Or the tourist that spends maybe 20 minutes to look around and take a photos before moving on?
The most heavily touristed plaza in all of Madrid. That's my story and I'm sticking with it. Loaded with tourists of all types. I overheard slavic languages to English accents and saw women in hijab's walking the square. Of course, the folks looking to take tourist Euros are here too, from the statues that are still until you get close to the man with the huge bubble making sticks and the pickpockets. Plenty of cafes along the perimeter of the Plaza, but there are better/cheaper if you'll get a block or so away. I did like that there were sunny spots to sit while I waited for my walking tour to start.
Cool Plaza that is worth a stop while walking around this area in Madrid. We walked by during the day so there was not much of a crowd but I'm sure it gets packed during peak tourist season. There are guys selling things all around and a statue in the middle of the Plaza. Would I make a specific stop to see the Plaza if I weren't in the area? I'm not so sure I would.
This historic plaza contains an amazing array of restaurants and shops. You can definitely find someplace to eat. Many places have outdoor seating with shade. This is with walking distance of the Cathedral and Puerta Del Sol. read more
Blink and you'll miss it. I swear I walked right past here at least 12 times and finally had to Google where to find an entrance. It's the best hidden - not so hidden - main tourist spot in Madrid. Sit here and eat a churro and relax, it's the best. read more
Grand plaza or square near center of Madrid with beautiful buildings and a statue. However, bc of its location near the center of the city, it's constantly packed, a bit dirty, and especially if you walk by at night it's quite popular with homeless people. There are some nice restaurants but also lots of touristy merch shops. We came during May 1 and 2 and there were also protests/marches and parades that started from there. It's basically Times Square in NYC. read more
2 years ago
We stayed near Plaza Mayor during a two-day weekend trip in Madrid, and it was good for finding a few restaurants/bars, and for walking around, but there's not too much else exciting to do. There are buildings all around the Plaza, but most of them are not open to the public, so they're more for just seeing from the outside, though they are beautiful in their architecture and grandeur. A few statues do pepper the Plaza, so those were neat to see and read about as we passed them. Aside from restaurants, bars, and statues, there are a lot of vendors and performers in the middle of the Plaza, if those types of things interest you. A server at one restaurant we ate at did tell us to not take out our phones or wallets very obviously, because pickpockets do frequent the area, so just be aware of your surroundings (according to our server, anyway). Plaza Mayor is a nice little area for seeing some statues/buildings, eating, and drinking - but I wouldn't necessarily make it more than a few hour stop in your Madrid itinerary. read more
Plaza Mayor is the city square in Madrid. It's an incredibly large space surrounded by baroque finery. You'll find lots of shops and restaurants here, and often there are cafe tables around the place; it's a nice place for people watching. Something that piqued my interest as someone who loves history is that several of the buildings were built by monarchs of the Hapsburg dynasty (those of the chins!). In fact, the neighborhood in which this is located gets its name from Hapsburg Spain. It'll be hard to miss the square, as you'll probably have to go through or near it to do some of the stuff you'll be visiting in Madrid. So take a few minutes to wander, watch, and enjoy. read more
3 years ago
I had to stay in Madrid for a couple of extra days and was happy to learn paseo, taking a long leisure stroll through the city center in the evening, Plaza Mayor is a grand square with beautiful surrounding buildings. There are many restaurants in the square, and some of them are interesting, for example, Torre del Oro that has artifacts about bullfighting. I saw engravings on the base of some of the light poles in the square and was told that these depicted the cruelty of the inquisition in history. read more
Plaza Mayor, located in the heart of Madrid. Beautiful architecture with a large statue of PhillipIII in the center. The plaza has great energy, lots of people, and it's big so it doesn't feel too crowded. Street artists playing music, artist painting, and lots of restaurants to choose from within the area. A little touristy but fun. Great place to sit, have a glass of wine and watch the people. read more
The Plaza was once the center of Old Madrid and is now within walking distance of the Puerta del Sol and the Royal Palace. It's also the perfect place to enjoy a churro with a cup of hot, thick, Spanish chocolate while taking in the architectural splendors from a nearby bench or one of the rooftop spaces. You just may feel as if you've been transported to the old world. read more
6 years ago
We had the Plaza to ourselves on day of visit. Only few tourists and locals were visible. Reasons: 1. early morning time 2. Beginning of springtime 3. Covid-19 crisis time ( pandemic) I would imagine how beautiful the Plaza if people are gathered around. Lots of shops, restaurants and comprise the compound. Before visiting, we were scared of the information we got that this is the place where pickpocketing usually happens regularly. Glad we were not able to experience it. Definitely this place has a charm! Worth visiting . read more
If huge crowds, souvenir shops, and coffee shops with no available seating is your thing, then Plaza Mayor was made just for you. But seriously. It's insane how busy it is. However, it is worth seeing and reading about. It was this square where many (all?) of the executions happened during the Spanish Inquisition. So it carries quite a bit of history that's worth taking on amongst all the chatter and elbows. Not to mention, it's in an area that I would describe as "desirable" to visit. Lots of good places to get a drink or a bite to eat. Plaza Mayor will not be a highlight, but go just to say you did. read more
2 years ago
Its just like any other major European plaza/square/piazza... -Masses of tourists -Dozens of street performers -A dozen or so pickpockets -Overpriced touristy restaurants -Touristy shops that no local would ever step foot in. -Incredible architecture and art. -Big open flat space with a statue of someone important in the middle, no matter how much evil that person maybe guilty of(ie. murder, slavery, rape, theft) Definitely worth at least a quick walk through if you're in town. Question is, are you the tourist that hangs out for hours drinking overpriced drinks and smoking cigarettes? Or the tourist that spends maybe 20 minutes to look around and take a photos before moving on? read more
The most heavily touristed plaza in all of Madrid. That's my story and I'm sticking with it. Loaded with tourists of all types. I overheard slavic languages to English accents and saw women in hijab's walking the square. Of course, the folks looking to take tourist Euros are here too, from the statues that are still until you get close to the man with the huge bubble making sticks and the pickpockets. Plenty of cafes along the perimeter of the Plaza, but there are better/cheaper if you'll get a block or so away. I did like that there were sunny spots to sit while I waited for my walking tour to start. read more
Cool Plaza that is worth a stop while walking around this area in Madrid. We walked by during the day so there was not much of a crowd but I'm sure it gets packed during peak tourist season. There are guys selling things all around and a statue in the middle of the Plaza. Would I make a specific stop to see the Plaza if I weren't in the area? I'm not so sure I would. read more
6 years ago
I'm definitely not a connoisseur of plazas but this was fun to see! The best part is people-watching! It was kinda chilly out; otherwise, we would have eaten at one of the outdoor cafes. It was fun to walk around along with the other tourists and check out the beautiful architecture! read more
Gayle was a Nanny in Madrid around 35 years ago and one of the first things she wanted to do when returning to Spain was to hang out and have a drink at the Plaza Mayor. We arrived in Madrid late on a recent Monday afternoon and of course it was way too soon for our eventual 9 PM dinner (early by Spanish standards). Patio restaurants ring the Plaza and a series of "barkers" encourage you to come hither, have a seat, and pay a premium for the atmosphere. A large, fresh, warm, and delicious potato omelet plus 2 large beers cost about $37 at Bar Tinto, and in many ways it was well worth it for the Plaza atmosphere, the people watching, and a chance to relax after a long travel day. Gayle also relished the chance to try out here "bright 4 year-old" Spanish. Plus it was a glorious and warm October day and our upcoming 2 week Iberian Holiday was ahead of us with great promise. read more
Decent tourist trap. What can you say about this place. You have everything you need from a typical plaza/tourist destination: 1. Large groups of people, who walk very slowly. 2. Random performers. 3. Somewhat pricey restaurants and cafes. 4. Tourist shops. 5. Panhandlers. 6. And more!!!! As one of the main sights in Madrid, the area is pretty well maintained. I would recommend visiting during the evening hours, because the sun can be kind of intense in the plaza. With that you just have to decide what type of tourist you are: 1. The one who needs to see something for a few minutes and can leave. 2. The one who likes to order from expensive restaurants and hang out for hours having coffee/cigarettes/wine/cocktails. I will be honest and say that I may be type two, especially if I have a place in the shade. read more
Nice little area, mainly for tourists, and touristy restaurants, but we didn't mind it, we're tourists! We had dinner here one night and a few cops came by asking us if we spoke Spanish. Our waitress was translating for us and it turns out that some guy lost a lot of money in the area we were sitting. The waitress told the cops that they don't think we'd do that. They pulled my husband aside to pat him down and ask him questions. The waitress was there to translate for him and she was mortified. She kept apologizing on the cops behalf and saying that it's not common that this happens. It kind of ruined our night a bit. read more
Interesting square. Alot of street performers. My favorite was the fat spiderman. He was a comedian too. He had a little mini fat spiderman that he made that was on the floor in front of him. Pretty funny. I had to stop to get a photo with him. He is expecting a tip of you get a photo with him and if he is not happy with the amount, he is not scared to ask for more money. haha The square has alto going on. Restaurants, a statue, cool looking buildings. Many people sit and hang out in this plaza. HAPPY PEOPLE WATCHING read more
Plaza Mayor seems to be the heart center of the Sol neighborhood and of Madrid. It's huge, beautiful and often bustling with tourists. It's one of those must visit places however the restaurants, shops and cafes in it, though pleasant enough, are in my opinion subpar in what they offer, especially in food quality and of service. If you wonder down one of the side streets just outside of Plaza Mayor, such as Calle de Cuchilleros, I found that the restaurant food offerings and services significantly improve. Further detracting from Plaza Mayor is the fact that at night and often during the day it's rather common to see the unfortunate, the vagrants and the homeless huddled up in their cardboard box shelter living quarters. Though the area is perfectly safe, some of the side sights of impoverishment along with its smell are definite detraction to its ambiance. Hence to me it's OK, nice to have seen it but nothing I'd rush back to visit again. read more
Worth a quick stop when you're visiting. The square is impressive and the perimeter is chock full of touristy shops and cafes. Half dozen street performers like this tinsel'd goat man (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/fSAcaXRAmMGeEmEcEvA5yQ?select=6qZrhAOwwxEJVT7MM6Yclw). Good for a drink and some people watching, but I'd say to look elsewhere for your main meals. read more
15 years ago
A very large historic square. The square is bordered by cafes, bars, shopping, and tourist traps. We walked the whole perimeter of the square but didn't find much of interest as far as the shopping. In the center of the square is a statue. There are various outdoor patio areas of restaurants as well. There is no where to sit down except in the cafes. There are tons of tourists, and where you find tourists you find street performers and people selling junk. The street performers are cool when they are there and you can watch them, but there are at least 2 extremely annoying street performers in this square that dress up like babies in carriages and make horrible squealing noises like they are crying babies. Overall, this is a place to pass through but nothing much to see here for very long. The restaurants are pricey and if you sit outside, you have to deal with the noise of the more obnoxious street performers. read more
9 years ago
Came to Plaza Mayor during the evening so a lot of the shops were closed, but people were hanging out and taking pictures. It's a major tourist attraction and not too far from Puerta de Sol. I loved all the balconies on the building....very pretty. I believe people live in those buildings. Dope. read more
8 years ago
Plaza Mayor is located just a few minute walk from Puerto del Sol. It is completely surrounded by buildings, even over the entrances so there are no breaks. Most of the buildings are filled with housing (can you imagine their view? The square is paved with cobblestone. It is a buitiful place filled with tourists and locals looking to make money off the tourists. It hasn't always been that way, In the museum of the city I saw a picture of inquisition trials here, there were also bullfights and executions even kings were crowned here. It really looks like what Europe is supposed to look like. Cool old buildings with lots of history... Come and take it all in, but do your shopping and eating elsewhere. This is a tourist trap, you will find better for less and you don't need to walk far. Fun Fact: the statue is of Felipe III (who ordered construction of the original square) riding a horse. Tip: come back at night when it is lite up, it is amazing. read more
Plaza Mayor is beautiful! The architecture is beyond gorgeous! What I like the most is the intricate mural paintings on the wall. For some reason Plaza Mayor reminds me of Venice. There are several places to eat around and also souvenir shops! There are also tons and tons of street artists and performers! Just make sure you watching your purse while you're enjoying the artists because there are a lot of pickpockets around! read more
Cultural and historic, with MANY eating options around the 1-2 block radius. The Plaza centers in Madrid are really amazing and fun to visit. Our favorite places to eat around here that we returned to more than once was La Campana and San Miguel Market. Also there is a Turron shop nearby that sells Spanish sweets which is great to take back home to share with friends and family. read more
This Plaza is cool. I mean it turns into a bit of a mess at times because I think tourist tours come through here at certain times so it can get overwhelming. The history of the plaza is cool to check out there and there are a couple cute shops mixed in. The food and apps at the restaurants here are expensive though and you will be annoyed by pettlers with their wares. Overall I still recommend stopping in for the views, people watching and maybe have one drink here at dusk. read more
On any given day, Plaza Mayor is full of tourists. This is one of the main plazas in the city where many celebrations are held. Built in the 1600s under Hapsburg rule and rebuilt after a few fires, the plaza has been home to bull fights, coronations, and executions. Today, the square is home to many tourists with local restaurants, shops, and bars nearby. Be weary of the street performers. They have a strange sense of humor. They also might be pick pockets in disguise too. Great for people watching, but beware of the birds which inhabit the rooftops. read more
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Plaza Mayor - landmarks - Updated May 2026
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