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Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor, Madrid: Address, Plaza Mayor Reviews: 4/5

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Plaza Mayor

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Plaza Mayor
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26,743
#6 of 1,091 things to do in Madrid
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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About
Huge plaza packed with cafes, bars and tourists.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Sol
How to get there
  • Ópera • 5 min walk
  • Vodafone Sol • 5 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
9,257 within 3 miles
Ástor
1,604
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • International • Mediterranean • European
El Ponientazo
99
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Spanish
Steakburger Arenal
1,065
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Steakhouse • Barbecue
Restaurante Algarabía
1,198
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Spanish • Healthy
Taberna 4 Tapas
76
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Spanish
Restaurante DCorazon
2,824
198 ft$$ - $$$ • International • Mediterranean • European
El miniBAR
2,383
0.1 mi$ • Bar • Mediterranean • European
Rosi La Loca
7,240
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • International • Spanish • Contemporary
Metro Bistró - Plaza Mayor
1,802
366 ft$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Spanish
Arbonaida Bar
150
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Spanish
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Attractions
1,045 within 6 miles
El Fadrí
2
0 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Mercado de Monedas y Sellos
43
37 ftFlea & Street Markets
Centro de Turismo Plaza Mayor
35
76 ftVisitor Centers
Casa de la Panaderia
235
98 ftHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings
Museum of Mesonero Romanos
1
98 ftSpeciality Museums
Casa de la Carniceria
20
123 ftArchitectural Buildings
Calle Del 7 De Julio
6
194 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Mercado San Miguel
15,177
444 ftFlea & Street Markets
Calle Mayor
236
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Felipe III Statue
140
240 ftMonuments & Statues
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
26,744 reviews
Excellent
11,823
Very good
9,914
Average
4,103
Poor
695
Terrible
209
Fermin P
51 contributions
Go for dinner or tapas on a bullfighting themed bar
May 2019
This is the main square or plaza of Madrid, you can find some restaurants to have dinner or lunch, or I recommend to go for tapas to the Torre del Oro bar, is by the north-west corner of the square. You'll appreciate the bullfighting culture of Spain, and see lots of instances when the bull has been victorious...
In the plaza you can also see soccer fans gathering before a game, or street performers... grab a chair at a restaurant and enjoy people watching in the afternoon.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
David I
Madrid, Spain4 contributions
Don't miss the 'caves'
Dec 2019
More than 4 centuries of history are crammed into what is without question a harmonious must-see on any visit to Madrid. A good finishing (or starting) point for a wander round the classic Austrias (old city) district, you can relax at one of the terrace bars that spill over the cobbled centre, or wander around the arcades which sometimes play host to collectors' markets. There's even a tourist office smack in the square to check out what's on that week & get the gory details on a plaza once used for bull fighting & for burnings of heretics! Don't miss heading down the steps at the western end, thru the Arco de Cuchilleros, & then doubling back up the Cava de San Miguel street at the rear of the Plaza. On the left is the usually packed market of San Miguel (& its generally good but pricey tapas haunts). But on the Plaza side you will find various cellar bars (known as cuevas- caves) built into the lower floors, specializing in different tapas and frequently playing host to impromptu flamenco & guitar sessions.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Andrew B
Madrid, Spain31 contributions
An abundance of restaurants
Jun 2019
Plaza Mayor is a lovely square in the heart of Madrid. Around the periphery are an abundance of restaurants offering typical food of the region. The choice is wide and the waiters are super keen to get you into their restaurant, but don’t feel pressured.
As with many Spanish locations, the area doesn’t really come to life until later in the evening. However it’s a great place to stop and have a drink and tapas and people watch before you head elsewhere for your actual dinner.
Be sure if you order a tapas sized portion, that’s what they bring you. We got caught as they served an actual portion (ración) and we were obviously charged accordingly. This also limited how many dishes we could try as we were too full!
If you’re here around lunchtime, try the little café on the corner closest to Calle Atocha, they have fantastic calamari rolls!!
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jbv91
San Jose, CA331 contributions
Nice to see during the day
Nov 2021
It is a beautiful square with restaurants and nice to visit when it's bright out. However, when I came here at night on a weekday (~10pm), none of the restaurants looked like they was open. I'm not sure if it's because of COVID hours, but I was hoping to see Christmas decorations and more people out enjoying the night in this square, but maybe it was too early when I visited during mid-November.
Written December 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Stefania P
1 contribution
What a rooftop pool <3
Aug 2020
My stay was simply amazing.
The hotel is in a great location and you can reach everything on foot.
The staff took great care of us and was super prepared regarding the healthy and safety procedures. Everybody was wearing the mask and hand sanitizer was always available.
The SPA is super new and we enjoyed a treatment there (highly recommended)
The style of the hotel is very edgy and for us the best part was the rooftop pool with a breathtaking view over the city.
We will certainly return there next time in town.
Written August 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Emily A
Madrid, Spain268 contributions
It is a must
Jun 2021
Plaza Mayor might seem like a regular central plaza when you are standing in it, but I suggest walking around it on all sides and going to the information center in the north inside. Context of history will add extra sparkle to a place where everything from public hangings to military exhibitions to concerts occured over the ages. It is therefore rich in history and still intriguing. At Christmas the market is one of the best in Madrid, not to mention the lights! (Do be aware or wary of scams at peak tourist hours and season.) Best food can be found on the north, south, and east ends of the square.
Written July 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dan C
Chicago, IL71 contributions
Essential Madrid
Mar 2022
The plaza mayor is an enormous internal Plaza surrounded by places to eat and low rise apartment buildings. The entire environment lends itself to socializing, centered around food.

Yes, it’s now probably more of a tourist attraction than a gathering point for Spaniards, it’s still very enjoyable.
Written March 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Francisco Duarte
Porto, Portugal1,460 contributions
Magnificent square!
Jul 2019
The Plaza Mayor of Madrid has been playing a social role that dates back to the Middle Ages, that is, an extraordinary space for social interaction. The "plaza mayor" comes from urban planning that combines living in society with beauty and magnificence. They are very similar and have themselves and in the various cities in which they were built. In essence, they are large open spaces in part and protected from sun and rain in another, with the construction of colonnades and balconies. The Plaza Mayor in Madrid is really big and it is the biggest of all. It was built by Philippe III in 1620 and in addition to fulfilling the role of increasing self-esteem and civic splendour, it is now a symbol of Madrid. Because it is essentially a large quadrilateral enclosed in its perimeter, it is a great stage over time for popular festivals, religious festivities, real events and military triumphs. People come together to talk, eat and drink in bars and cafes, as well as to enjoy open-air theatre, concerts and art exhibitions and book fairs. Most events in this square take place on weekends or festive seasons. In the centre of the square you can admire the statue of Philip III, a monarch far ahead of his time.
Written March 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bruce G
Amherst, NH184 contributions
Lively and Picturesque Plaza Surrounded by Restaurants and Shops
Nov 2019
Plaza Mayor is a lively and picturesque square that was once home to bull fights. Today it is surrounded by one large rectangular building. It has several ports at which to enter the plaza. The first floor is lined with restaurants and shops. The upper floors are either businesses or residents, but are not accessible, at least not that I could find. There is a huge statue in the middle. The plaza is used for things such as Christmas Markets and performances. While we were there in early November they were preparing for the Christmas Markets that would open later that month. It's beautiful and certainly a must see in Madrid. FYI, things open late in Spain. Some restaurants don't open until 1 pm for lunch. Most of the shops don't open until 11 am or later. Not to worry because nearby is Mercado San Miguel which opens early and maybe he best food hall I have ever visited.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ionut-Brasov
Brasov, Romania36 contributions
Superb!
Dec 2021
Encircled by somptuos buildings, with their predominant red colours is full of animation, day and night. Trully the largest square in Madrid. Do not miss the adiacent San Miguel Plaza, full of fresh fish, seafood and vegetable.
Written December 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Plaza Mayor
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