Madrid Sights

Plaza Mayor

#2 of 643 things to do in Madrid

#41 of 49054 things to do in Europe

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Good for: vibe

Not good for: prices

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Lonely Planet review for Plaza Mayor

Designed in 1619 by Juan Gómez de Mora, the stunningly beautiful Plaza Mayor is a highlight of any visit to Madrid. The grandeur of its buildings is one thing, but this is a living, breathing entity, from the outdoor tables of the terrazas to the students strewn across the cobblestones on a sunny day.

The plaza’s first public ceremony was the beatification of San Isidro Labrador, Madrid’s patron saint. Thereafter, bullfights watched by 50,000 spectators were a recurring spectacle until 1878, while the autos-da-fé (the ritual condemnation of heretics) of the Spanish Inquisition also took place here. Fire largely destroyed the square in 1790, but it was rebuilt and became an important market and hub of city life. Today, the uniformly ochre-tinted apartments with wrought-iron balconies are offset by the exquisite frescoes of the 17th-century Real Casa de la Panadería (Royal Bakery); the present frescoes were added in 1992.

 

Traveller reviews for Plaza Mayor (4)

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    paella by afternoon calimocho y bocata de calamares by night

    pilicarrasco recommends this,

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    Take a look...

    PierrotLeFou recommends this,

    and that's all. It is nice, but the terrazas are tourist traps. You'd better check calle Toledo or Cava de San Miguel for a cheap "caña" of beer with free tapa. Or much more better, take a little walk to La Latina.

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    Classic Spanish feel

    matpalm recommends this,

    It's amazing that somewhere that really, to be honest, doesn't have anything to see can still totally describe the essence of a place. Madrid in a square.

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    Not good for: prices

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    The epicentre of Madrid

    lamingtons99 recommends this,

    You cant really go to Madrid & not visit Plaza Mayor. Its the epicentre of Madrid. Its a nice place to have an outdoor meal during a summer night washed down with some sangria. However if you are on a tight budget you might be better advised to just have a coffee & get a meal elsewhere as you do get charged tourist prices.

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