Plaza Mayor

One of the must-see spots in Madrid! Plaza Mayor is a beautiful and historic square with stunning architecture and a vibrant atmosphere. Surrounded by charming cafes and restaurants, it’s the perfect place to relax, enjoy some tapas, and soak in the local vibe. Whether you visit during the day or in the evening, the plaza has a unique charm that captures the spirit of Madrid. A great place for photos, people-watching, and starting your walking tour through the heart of the city!

I like the architect of Spain 🇪🇸 building. They are always interesting and attracted to see to enjoy each of them. And Plaza Mayor is one of those. Nice place to visit 😊 and try the food around. They have some activities you can enjoy, like some custom, drawing, food, souvenirs shop... And of course it will be full of the square for the rush time and a lot of tourist visits.

It's historic and sure, you can drop by for a short few minutes if its on the way to a place you are visiting go ahead, if not, I don't think its worth a detour. However due to its location you can just pass through from Puerta del Sol to the Roya Palace. I think the smaller buildings going out of Plaza Mayor are more beautiful so do pass by but no need to spend hours inside the plaza a good 5 to 10 minute is more than enough.

Tourist trap prices for all the cafes and restaurants in the area. Not a lot of places to rest and admire the buildings. Only one building had an interesting facade with amazing drawings, the rest were pretty much more of the same stucco with shutters.

Plaza Mayor, This big, lively square feels like the heart of the city. The red buildings with balconies are gorgeous, and it’s buzzing with people, and café vibes. I learned it’s been around since the 1600s, hosting everything from markets to bullfights back in the day. It’s perfect for grabbing a coffee or tapas and just soaking in the atmosphere. Took about 30 minutes to stroll around. A must-visit in Madrid, even if you’re just passing through

Such a sight to behold. I wandered here because of Somebody Feed Phil and my co worker told me I needed to see it as well. Somehow I kept walking right past it, and I legit had to use Google maps to find one of the entrances. And when I did, I wasn’t disappointed. Such a great spot to visit in the city and to sit at and relax.

An interesting place seems to be more popular for the Street vendors walking around selling bracelets and knickknacks. They will offer your free one and then ask her money so it’s good for the kids here because there are a few costumes where you can get a photo taken such as giant bears and super Mario’s etc. Not much to see here but definitely worth going through. I found this surrounding shops much more interesting..

Spacious and beautiful plaza in the center of Madrid with a number of various types of restaurants that surround it. It’s a great place to start exploring from, as it’s so central to many of the popular sights.

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.

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.

Every stops at Plaza Mayor when visiting Madrid, but it's kind of overrated. I wouldn't advise eating at any of the restaurants in the Plaza unless you want to overpay. There are lots of buskers although the police are on it to give out fines and send them on their way. It's near Mercado de San Miguel, which may be why it's easily accessible to check out during a trip. There isn't much to see but something I guess you have to say you've done when coming to Madrid.

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.

Very beautiful place. Centrally located and the christmas shops were so cute. Huge open area and lots of restaurants and shopping near by.

Plaza Mayor represents one of the main city squares in the area. You'll see plenty of tourists pass by with restaurants (albeit tourist traps) on the sides of the plaza. You'll have to cross through this at various stages to get around Madrid. It's generally packed so be aware of that as you venture in this area. Enjoy the architecture and the statue.

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.

Great time on the Plaza. Everything you need. I even found a couple of new outfits. Food and drinks as well. Men in costumes keeping the kids laughing. Adults as well.

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 .

Love the plaza much more than the puerto de sol ... touristy but less crowded . More relaxed . I had lunch inside the plaza and people watched Loved the energy there . Recommended to check it out

This is the biggest plaza in Madrid and a must-visit for anyone travelling to the city for the first time. The buildings are stunning, colorful, and historic. It was always surreal when we'd pass through this plaza on the way home from a night out. It's just so grand. Why one star off then? This is tourist central. You won't be able to come here without people trying to sell you jewelry or putting toys in your hand then asking you to buy them. There are a TON of dressed up characters trying to get pictures with you, and that kind of chaos is just not my cup of tea. There are restaurants surrounding the border of the plaza with outdoor dining. I personally do not recommend dining at any of them, as they were completely upcharge you for food that's not as good as food you'd find just blocks outside of the plaza. I had a friend that lived above one of these restaurants and it was so loud that she often couldn't sleep. Moral of the story - stop by, keep your hand on your wallet and phone here (be aware!!) and keep going, as you have other places to enjoy and dine at!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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

This is the Big or Main Square. There are pretty residential buildings all around the square. The construction goes back to the late 1500s during the time of King Phillip. There were some sad events here during the Inquisition. Find the stature of among Philips III in the center.

Amazing views, history and culture. Line up is kind of shitty - but arrive early to avoid. The architecture is absolutely brilliant and the staff are super friendly.

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.

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.

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.

This is one of the best squares in Europe! Perfect place to take a leisurely stroll and take nice photographs.

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.

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.

We stumbled into Plaza Mayor while walking to the nearby Mercado San Miguel and it was absolutely beautiful! I was reminded instantly of some of the plazas I encountered in Split, Croatia, only this was on a much grander scale. Restaurants surround the perimeter but I couldn't help thinking they are probably very touristy/overpriced (someone feel free to correct me if there's a gem in the mix). Still, with the water misters above all of the seating areas, it's probably a nice place to have a drink and people watch. At the very least, it is worth a walk through so you can gawk at the beautiful architecture.

Classic central plaza of Madrid. They were just setting up dozens of stalls for upcoming Christmas when we left yesterday. I'm sure they will be fun when they open. Shops and restaurants line the square. Be careful when it gets crowded because pick pocketing is an art form in Spain. Recommended Slanche

The streets in Madrid can be confusing. I was holding my Google Maps for a long time and trying to find the entrance to Plaza Mayor, I was only going in circles. Once you can find the entrance (there are multiple), you will be amazed by the building architecture and livelihood of the place. The key, as always, is to come here early in the morning (say, before 10am, when the locals are just going home). This is also the meeting point for the Sandemans New Europe (free) tours. It is very touristy and gets very loud/crowded in here. Definitely worthy of a visit.

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.

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.

One of the many hearts of Madrid. However, I believe this one is the largest (hence the name). Please note that our visit was during January so the activity level was on the quiet side of things with a handful of street performers and cafes with outdoor seating. I imagine this to be a bustling space during the summer months with flowers and umbrellas popped up over dining tables and cafes. We visited just shy of seeing the Christmas decor installation. Like most other plazas in Spain and Europe, the parameter of the square was filled with gift shops and restaurants. I did learn the a majority of the upper levels of the building were residential and some are even rentable on Airbnb. Within arm's reach of Plaza Mayor you'll find Mercado de San Miguel, Botin (the oldest restaurant in the world- 1725) and the Sol metro stop.

Plaza Mayor is one of the places I wanted to visited the most on my travel list. So after my hubby and I just settled down our stuff at the hotel, we just made our way to this place. Although there was metro/bus station near this place, we chose to come here on foot, So we could see more of the city. After passing thea Puerta del Sol. Not long later, we arrived to this place. Wow, it looked amaying. On the main building got this red wall with the painting all over it. It was just so unique and pretty. And the the red wall going with the rest of the building. Which surround the whole square. I found it pretty cool. And i was exploring this place. There was an infomation centre right in the middle. At the both sides mostly were some local favouits and gift shops. Also, resturants and cafes. We came from one of the entrances. The whole square actually got 9 entrances. So basically, it could take us to any direction. We walked to one of the exit just to check Arco de Cuchilleros, it was quite lovely. Overall, I love this place, it history can trace back couple centuries ago. Although it has already here for a long time, It keep itself busy and still got the charm.

This is where you want to go if you are taking any kind of walking tours. Also during the holidays, there is a huge Christmas market here and it is decorated beautifully. Staying in a hotel or hostel near here is going to be your best bet for being close to everything you'll want to do in Madrid!

I never really understood how you're meant to review these places. I mean, it's a square. Not much to it, other than taking in the architecture and the people. That said, if you're in the area and maybe have just left el mercado de san miguel, check it out for a selfie.

Nice lunch at La Plaza nice people watching, few beers a believe it or not a hamburger

One of the most visited plazas in Madrid. With lots of open space, this plaza is by far a beauty and must be seen while in Madrid. Plenty of security around, so you can wonder with confidence. Plenty of mom/pop shops. Huge Christmas tree in December. Souvenir shops and plenty of restaurants near by.

This place was great other than the feeling that every shop owner wanted to get you inside their shop to buy something and the feeling like you couldn't stand in the middle of the plaza just hanging out without having someone solicit you. They have little "photo" opportunities in the middle of the plaza that require a "donation." The plaza has lots of souvenir shops that sell things like postcards, magnets, keychains, etc. There's also a popular churro and chocolate shop that is open 24-hours. It's walking distance to the food market. It is mind boggling, particularly for an American from CA that is used to buildings not lasting due to earthquakes, that this place was built in the 1500s. This place is a must-visit on your Madrid vacation (though it might be a short walk-thru).

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.

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.

Couldn't get the full feeling for Plaza Mayor when we visited in mid-November (Christmas market was being set up, but not ready yet). Yet we confirmed (after being told by our taxi driver) that this is definitely "the" location for finding great local food: there were long lines out the doors of some of the smallest restaurants surrounding Plaza Mayor.

Nice plaza with bunch of tourist trap restaurants surrounding this place. Reminds me of the plaza in Barcelona. Beware of pick picketers they are always roaming around so keep your bags close!

Breathtaking! We went to a restaurant in plaza mayor (don't remember the name) but I love the fact that you can just seat their and enjoy the view with a glass a wine or a cup of beer!

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.

Mad packed....like crazy hella packed with tourists and at night these Indian dudes can be found throwing these glow-in-the-dark things in the air and squeezing these annoying toy things that squeal/cry. Lots of restos and cafes to drink at...and you can buy souvenirs in the stores that adjoin the plaza. A monument in the middle and historic buildings to take pictures of...its worth visiting.