Plaza de Oriente
Plaza de Oriente
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Plaza de Oriente
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Austrias
How to get there
- Ópera • 3 min walk
- Santo Domingo • 7 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
9,034 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,494 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,184 reviews
Excellent
1,582
Very good
1,284
Average
302
Poor
12
Terrible
4
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
jonahNJ
Pennington, NJ11,781 contributions
Sep 2019
This public square in Madrid is a great place to take a stroll among green lawns and shrubs as well as various statues. The square is also located across from Madrid’s Royal Palace and the Royal Theatre. While the plaza was busy when I visited, there was still an atmosphere of serenity. There are places to sit and enjoy the shade on hot days and wide walkways for strolling.
Written April 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MDOGP
Dallas, TX1,225 contributions
Sep 2020 • Solo
This square was designed in the late 17th century by the Bourbon royal family. The gardens are beautiful with aromatic roses, cypresses, and magnolias. At the center resides the statue of Philip the 4th, and all the statues of different kings from Spain.
Written September 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Minerva
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain61 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Plaza de Oriente is a place that transports you to Madrid's glorious past. Here is the Royal Palace, a masterpiece of architecture that wanted to surpass Versailles; charming cafes where you can enjoy a distinguished atmosphere; the Teatro Real, Madrid's opera house and one of the most important cultural centers in Spain; and a spectacle of colors at sunset. I invite you to visit the Plaza de Oriente, a living testimony of the Madrid of the Austrias. In the center of the square, presided over by the palace, stands the equestrian statue of Felipe IV. The sculptor Pedro Tacca made it in Tuscany, following a portrait of the king that Velázquez sent him. The king wanted the horse to have its two front legs in the air, something very difficult to achieve. Galileo Galilei gave the solution: the back of the horse is solid and the front is empty. The square is surrounded by 20 statues of Visigoth kings and the first Christian kingdoms that fought against the Muslims. They are part of a set of more than 100 statues of kings that Fernando VI had made to decorate the palace. Charles III thought that they did not fit well in the building and only left 14 on the cornice; The rest were distributed throughout the square, the Sabatini gardens, the Retiro park and other places in Spain. Next to the square there are gardens called Cabo Noval, from where you can see a beautiful sunset.
If you want to eat or drink something near Plaza de Oriente, there are many alternatives for all tastes. You can try Café de Oriente, a restaurant with a refined style and a varied offer of Spanish and Mediterranean dishes.
If you want to eat or drink something near Plaza de Oriente, there are many alternatives for all tastes. You can try Café de Oriente, a restaurant with a refined style and a varied offer of Spanish and Mediterranean dishes.
Written November 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert L
Amherst, MA1,615 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
This is definitely worth seeing, especially if you go to the Royal Palace. It is on the same street and half was along the side of the Palace.
I consider the row of statues of the 600-800AD Kings to be outstanding. The park and fountain are also outstanding.
Leonardo helped design the statue as the horse and rider are unbalanced.
I consider the row of statues of the 600-800AD Kings to be outstanding. The park and fountain are also outstanding.
Leonardo helped design the statue as the horse and rider are unbalanced.
Written September 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malgorzata
12,085 contributions
Jun 2021
The Plaza de Oriente is a square located across from the Royal Palace. It is rectangular in shape and monumental in character and it was designed by Narciso Pascual y Colomer. The square was opened in 1844. In the same year the equestrian statue of Felipe IV was erected. The gardens were planned by Jose Bonaparte, who wanted the gardens to highlight the Palace and the Royal Theater. One of the most beautiful squares in Madrid.
Written January 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pernille I
Copenhagen, Denmark6,625 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
The large rectangular square known as the Orient is located opposite the royal palace and thus offers a great opportunity to rest between visits.
The rectangular part ends at the top with a half-moon around which we find beautiful buildings as well as the royal theater.
The square is more of a small park divided into three gardens. The gardens are filled with statues - among others of all the Spanish kings before the year 1000. In another garden there are banana trees.
But where does the name Orient come from? Some think that it was King José I - a Bonaparte - who was a member of a lodge. Or is it simply the orientation in the city and in relation to the palace?
In any case it's pretty and harmonious and all the trees give the impression of being able to isolate themselves a little from the hubbub of tourists.
The rectangular part ends at the top with a half-moon around which we find beautiful buildings as well as the royal theater.
The square is more of a small park divided into three gardens. The gardens are filled with statues - among others of all the Spanish kings before the year 1000. In another garden there are banana trees.
But where does the name Orient come from? Some think that it was King José I - a Bonaparte - who was a member of a lodge. Or is it simply the orientation in the city and in relation to the palace?
In any case it's pretty and harmonious and all the trees give the impression of being able to isolate themselves a little from the hubbub of tourists.
Written April 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Razorfish
Little Rock, AR5,287 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Plaza del Oriente is an attractive garden square near the Royal Palace and the Opera House in Madrid. There is a statue of King Felipe IV on his mount in the middle of the park. Some large trees and benches make for a good shaded area to relax.
Written November 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack
Old Bethpage, NY3,377 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The Plaza de Oriente is a beautiful plaza comprised of statues and gardens next to the Royal Palace. It is a beautiful place to just enjoy the weather and relax. I highly recommend stopping here.
Written June 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MFaro
Italy2,723 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
The Plaza de Oriente is the square where the Royal Palace of Madrid overlooks. There are several beautiful buildings and beautiful greenery around. Inside there is also the equestrian statue of Philip IV.
Written May 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
digitalroc
Calgary, Canada2,141 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
Plaza de Oriente is located in front of the Royal Palace, along with the Monument to Felipe IV. The plaza was designed in 1844 and is an attractive garden plaza. I didn’t spend much time here, other than walking through it on my way to the highlight of the area, the Royal Palace.
Written July 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where is the entrance to the Public car park at Plaza de Oriente?
Written September 9, 2019
Sorry! We arrived on foot so we never used the car park.
Written September 16, 2019
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing