With 3 millions people, Madrid, the capital letter of Kingdom of spain is one of the biggest and most bonny cities in Europe.

Although Madrid is much less visited than Barcelona, Madrid is a very lively city that offers many activities to practice during a long weekend or a short stay: gastronomy, architecture, civilization, shopping, nightlife… So yes, there's no beach in Madrid, simply you can be sure you won't get bored!

Do you know what are the virtually famous landmarks in Madrid Kingdom of 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

Nosotros tin detect dissimilar kinds of landmarks in Madrid. To make information technology easier, we divided them into 3 categories: the squares, the museums and the monuments.

⛲️  Squares & Streets:

  1. Puerta del Sol
  2. Plaza Mayor
  3. Puerta de Alcalá
  4. Plaza de Cibeles
  5. Gran Vía
  6. Plaza de España

🏛  Museums:

  1. Museo Nacional del Prado
  2. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
  3. Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
  4. Museo Arqueológico Nacional

⛪️  Monuments:

  1. Royal Palace of Madrid
  2. Catedral de la Almudena
  3. Temple of Debod
  4. Palacio de Cristal and El Retiro Park
  5. Mercado de San Miguel
  6. Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
  7. Majestic Basilica of Saint Francis the Corking
  8. Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
  9. Imperial Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

And then, here's the list of the xix best landmarks Madrid has to offer. To learn more nigh each of these places, continue reading 👇

Famous Squares & Streets in Madrid

Amidst 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 eye of everything in Madrid. Information technology's the best spot to kickoff your visit of the metropolis since all the main streets commencement from here. It's an iconic identify in Spain, and a must for all tourists.

puerta del sol is in the best madrid landmarks and monuments

In the foursquare, yous'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'due south also the clock of the Real Casa de Correos, where the famous carillon of the Puerta del Sol rings every stop of the year since 1962; besides as the famous Kilometre Cipher (KM 0) indicated on the ground which is the starting indicate of the Spanish radial.  roads.

two. 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 cute San Miguel market place.

plaza mayor is one of the best landmarks madrid has to offer

In the center of the foursquare stands the statue of Philip Iii, king of Spain during the 17th century, on horseback. The foursquare is entirely pedestrianized and surrounded past arches and buildings of remarkable architecture.

Plaza Mayor is a very lively place where locals assemble for celebrations such as Christmas or summer events. With its rich history, this foursquare is now a must-see for tourists.

three. Puerta de Alcalá

Located at the beginning of Alcalá Street in La Plaza de la Independencia, the Puerta de Alcalá is i of the nearly emblematic and photographed monuments of Madrid.

puerta de alcala is a famous landmark in madrid

Designed by Francisco Sabatini in 1778 past gild of King Carlos Iii to replace the original gate outset congenital in 1559, Puerta de Alcalá is one of the five regal gates of the metropolis. Its neoclassical way won't leave you indifferent!

It's the perfect identify to have a break on your way to El Retiro Park, the Gran Vía or the Plaza de Cibeles.

four. Plaza de Cibeles

Plaza de Cibeles is located in the center of the Spanish capital, a few meters from the Retiro and at the superlative of the Passeo del Prado, which houses the city'due south most famous museums.

plaza de cibeles is in the best famous landmarks in spain madrid

In the eye of the square, in that location's the Cibeles fountain busy with a sculpture of Cybele, goddess of nature and protector of the people. The Plaza de Cibeles is surrounded past buildings constructed between the terminate of the 17th and the start 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 abode teams.

5. Gran Vía

The Gran Vía is probably the most famous artery in town! It's the most commercial avenue of the capital, offer many local and international chains. In short, information technology's the place to go for shopping, and it's actually one of the best things to do in Madrid!

gran via is a a famous landmark in madrid

The Gran Vía is i.iii km long and the project to build such an avenue dates back to the finish of the 19th century. Built between 1910 and 1931, information technology was primarily intended to relieve traffic congestion in the center, similar to Haussmann's work in Paris.

Very lively, the Gran Vía is likewise referred to as "the avenue that never sleeps".

6. Plaza de España

Located at the terminate of the Gran Vía and very close to the Royal Palace, information technology's in this square that the monument to Cervantes stands, one of the near popular places amid tourists.

plaza-de-espana

Decorated with a fountain, a swimming and dark-green areas, the square is surrounded past ii important monuments: the Edificio España and the Tower of Madrid, 1 of the highest buildings in Madrid.

Roofing 36,900 foursquare meters, the Plaza de España is i of the largest in the country, and a must-see allure for tourists.

Famous Museums in Madrid

Madrid has one of the almost important cultural and artistic heritage in the world. As such, the city has amazing museums that are function of the most famous Madrid landmarks, all worth a visit.

Here are four all-time museums you tin't miss in Madrid 🔥

7. Museo Nacional del Prado

Located in the eye of the city on the Paseo del Arte, the Prado Museum is the almost visited museum in Spain and one of the most important art museums in the globe.

This giant art gallery, designed past Juan de Villanueva in 1786, traces the history of European art from the 12th to the 19th century. Information technology houses more than vii,000 paintings, 900 sculptures and countless drawings and other artefacts in its permanent and temporary exhibitions. Amid the Prado's most renown works are some of the virtually 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 solar day!

eight. 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 Fine art.

The Museo Reina Sofía exhibits modernistic and gimmicky fine art. Chronologically, it'south situated later the menstruum highlighted by the Prado Museum. There, we can notice works past Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Joan Miro.

The museum was named subsequently Sofía of Greece, Queen of Kingdom of spain and married woman of King Juan Carlos I. It was decided to establish the museum in the former San Carlos Hospital.

ix. Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza

As well on the Paseo del Arte, a few blocks from the Retiro park, the Thyssen-Bornemisza is 1 of the main museums of the city. Although information technology's non as famous every bit its neighbors, the Prado Museum or the Reina Sofía Museum, the Thyssen Museum is a must for all art lovers.

It more often than not has paintings, just also sculptures, all European and covering a menstruum from the 13th century to the 1950s and the emergence of pop art. It's housed in the Villahermosa Palace, a building of neoclassical mode.

We can find sculptures by Rodin, but also all the greatest artists of contempo centuries such as Monet, Renoir or Van Gogh.

10. Museo Arqueológico Nacional

Located close to Columbus Monument, the National Archaeological Museum is ane of the must-visit museums in Madrid.

man madrid monuments landmarks

This beautiful museum covers a menses from prehistoric times to the 18th century. Its permanent collection is equanimous of objects nerveless throughout the history of the Iberian Peninsula. You'll too find wonderful collections from Greece, Rome, Egypt and the Center 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 about capital cities in Europe, Madrid has a lot of monuments including cathedrals, palaces, gardens etc… History lovers won't exist disappointed in Madrid!

Here are 9 of the best historical landmarks in Madrid 🔥

11. Majestic Palace of Madrid

Located in the Plaza de Oriente in front end of the Catedral de la Almudena, El Palacio Real is a cute and very of import site in Madrid. It's the largest royal palace in Western Europe and a very famous landmark in Madrid.

royal palace of madrid

This castle has been the house of monarchs between Charles Three and Alfonso XIII. Although the king no longer lives at that place, information technology's still in this Purple Palace that visitors tin lookout man the irresolute of the Royal Guard, every Wednesday and Sat around noon.

Unless in that location'due south an official event, the Regal Palace is open up 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 Purple Palace, a few blocks from the Plaza Mayor, the imposing Almudena Cathedral is a recent century edifice of the 20th century.

catedral de la almudena

Its construction spanned over 100 years, from 1883 to 1993, in which 6 unlike architects took part. That's why the cathedral is a mixture of unlike architectural styles, mainly neoclassical and neogothic.

Its central location shut to the historic center of Madrid, makes information technology an piece of cake landmark to visit during a stay in Madrid. If you lot have time, you should get upwards to the panoramic platform where y'all tin can admire a scenic view of all the urban center!

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 and then, information technology's 1 of the most iconic monuments of Madrid.

temple of debod

Dedicated to the gods Amun and Isis, the Templo de Debod is located on a colina overlooking the Casa de Campo, and offers i of the most cute views of Madrid.

Photograph lovers will enjoy shooting this temple during the day, just 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 heart of the large Retiro Park in Madrid. This cute iron and glass structure is an instance of the typical and highly praised compages of the belatedly 19th century in Europe.

el retiro is one of the most famous madrid landmarks

This giant greenhouse built in 1887 by Ricardo Velázquez Bosco is strongly inspired by the Crystal Palace in London.

palacio de cristal is in the top madrid spain landmarks

The palace is at present part of the Queen Sofia Museum where you tin can see exhibitions. This architectural masterpiece with its lake volition delight photographers.

15. Mercado de San Miguel

Close to the Regal Palace and the Plaza Mayor, the Mercado San Miguel is a not bad place to have lunch.

Like La Boqueria in Barcelona, it's an sometime traditional market transformed into a modern gastronomic feel where you lot tin can taste food samples for complimentary or have lunch. You lot can find everything in San Miguel Market: cheese, vegetables, fruits, seafood, sushi, chocolate, ice foam, sangria, wines, tapas, paella…

mercado de san miguel is among madrid famous landmarks

The flavors and smells are delicious and the building'due south glass construction is enhanced by the daylight that shines through it. Shows are organized within regularly.

xvi. Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas

Located in the northeast of the heart of Madrid, Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas are the primary bullring in the urban center. They are often referred to as Las Ventas or La Monumenta.

las ventas

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 confronting handpicked bulls to ensure the show.

The most curious visitors or those who want to notice the place without attending a corrida tin can have one of the guided tours organized daily.

17. Regal Basilica of Saint Francis the Smashing

Located in the center of the urban center non 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 structure 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 bore. The interior contains an important art gallery in the cloister, as well equally 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 loonshit comes from its history, but above all from its possessor: the famous Real Madrid team.

santiago bernabeu stadium

Inaugurated in 1947 under the initiative of the former lodge'due south president Santiago Bernabéu, the stadium tin accommodate more than 81,000 people.

Like in most large stadiums, visitors can discover the stadium'southward backstage during daily free tours that comprehend the most iconic parts of the stadium.

19. Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Located i-hour drive northwest from Madrid, the Royal Monastery of El Escorial is a one-time residence of the male monarch of Spain. Besides accessible past public transportation, visiting El Escorial is a day-trip from Madrid you tin can't miss if y'all're around.

el escorial is in the best historical landmarks in madrid

Listed equally a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, it'due south one of Spain'due south virtually impressive architectural gems. Built in 1584 past Philipp Two, the Monastery of El Escorial as well 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 ability and the splendor of its architecture and gardens.

Madrid Landmarks Map

To get my Madrid famous landmarks map, but click on the image below to open it in Google Maps. And then click on the "star" icon to salve information technology to your ain maps.

madrid landmarks map

More Landmarks in Kingdom of spain

Want to discover more Espana landmarks? Well, hither are some other posts that will be useful to you!

The principal guide of all the all-time landmarks in all Spain 👉  The Very Best Landmarks in Spain

You can also discover hither the all-time landmarks of Catalonia's capital metropolis 👉  The Very All-time Landmarks in Barcelona

And if you're visiting Spain, here are some travel guides that might assistance you:

  • Guide of the Best Castles in Spain
  • The Best Day Trips from Madrid
  • Best Things to Do in Asturias

And for even more than, you lot can check all our Kingdom of spain travel guides!

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