Beautiful plaza, it's residential buildings are above cafes, restaurants and shops. The Casa de Panadería was once a main bakery and now Tourism office, with frescoes added in the 1900's. There are 9 entrances to the plaza. Early visit was a great time for pictures - by Noon it was filled with people.

Wonderful place to simply walk around and people watch. As with many central plazas in Europe it is rimmed with restaurants which tend to be more expensive and food that is not as great. You are really paying for the atmosphere. Would recommend walking the plaza, taking your picture and then find a place to eat that is away from the plaza. Lot of people selling misc items to the tourists so just be careful of your belongings. Enjoy.

The whole area not very huge but nice to walk about. The square itself was pretty to take photos but there were several restaurants where you could seat alfresco and admiring the square. The shops were mostly for tourists and selling repeated items, all at various range of prices for the same item.

An architecturally nice looking plaza. Unfortunately it mainly caters to the tourists with tacky shops and overpriced restaurants. Many characters dressed in costumes and asking you to take a picture with them.

My wife and I walked through Plaza Mayor a few times during our trip to Madrid this past spring. It is a large square completely surrounded by buildings. It is popular with the tourists because of the cafes, bars and shops. You need to stop by Plaza Mayor at least once when you are in Madrid.

The Plaza Mayor is a major town square in Madrid. It was first built in 1580–1619. It was remodelled in 1617. The Plaza has suffered 3 major fires in its history. There are ten entrances to choose. Its a lively square containing cafes, bars and restaurants.

You should see the Plaza because it is the main square in Madrid; however, it is very touristy, and the restaurants around the perimeter should be avoided except for coffee. You can also find many characters there who will take a picture with you for tips. It's like Times Square without the lights!

Plaza Mayor, at the core of Madrid, is a charming square pulsating with history and energy. The uniform architecture and grandeur take you back to Spain’s Golden age. The lively atmosphere hosts diverse events and cultural celebrations, making it a dynamic hub. However be prepared for crowds and potential tourists traps in the surrounding eateries. Despite the occasional hustle, Plaza Mayor remains an essential visit for its historical allure and vibrant spirit.

Beautiful square with lovely architecture and lots going on. Great place to sit and people watch. Restaurants and bars around and down the streets just off the plaza. Just round the corner from the food market and lots of great places to eat.

We crisscrossed Plaza Mayor a few times as we wandered around Madrid. The plaza itself was huge and completely enclosed on all sides by apartments, which was an unusual feature. A large Christmas tree was still on display in January, a carryover from the annual Christmas Market. No matter the day of the week there always seemed to be a good number of people out and about or seated outside one of the many cafes and restaurants. Quite a different from the plaza’s history during the Spanish Inquisition. Sunday morning brought out a different crowd with sellers of coin, stamps and other types of collectible items. It was a nice change of scenery as we stopped to peruse at tables with unique items for sale.