Plaza Mayor (Town Square), Madrid (must see)
The grand and dramatic Town Square ("Plaza Mayor"), was originally conceived by Felipe II, who in the late 16th century envisioned a more prestigious focal point for his new capital. The oldest building in the square is the Bakery House ("Casa de la Panader铆a"), dating back to 1590, but like much of the plaza, it underwent reconstruction after fires in the 17th and 18th centuries. The elaborate frescoes adorning its facade were added as recently as 1992. Today, the building houses the municipal tourist office (daily: 9:30am鈥�8:30pm).
With a capacity of up to fifty thousand people, the square was historically used for beatifications, coronations, public trials of heretics followed by the burning of the victims, theatrical performances, and bullfights. It has now become a popular destination for tourists, boasting expensive outdoor caf茅s and restaurants. Despite its transformation, the square retains an air of grandeur and continues to host public events, including outdoor theater, music performances, Christmas fairs, and a Sunday market for stamps and coins.
The central bronze equestrian statue depicts Felipe III and dates back to 1616.
Why You Should Visit:
The square is always a hub of activity, serving as a focal point for numerous open-air special events, ceremonies, and celebrations.
****FOOD WALK***
While many of the restaurants in the square tend to be a bit on the pricey side and often crowded with tourists, the ambiance of the place itself is truly delightful, making it a perfect spot to relax and indulge in a glass of fine Spanish wine accompanied by delicious tapas. One particularly noteworthy culinary delight is the calamari sandwich, a signature dish of Madrid, consisting of crispy battered calamari served in a bun, which pairs perfectly with an ice-cold beer.
Among the numerous gastronomic gems surrounding the square, you'll find the renowned Los Galayos historic restaurant. Open from 10am to 11:30pm every day, this establishment has been serving traditional Madrid recipes since 1894. Their specialty lies in the succulent beef tenderloin cooked on a sizzling hot stone block. With several dining rooms and two outdoor terraces, Los Galayos caters to those looking for a leisurely meal or a quick snack of tapas. Another hidden gem worth exploring is Casa Revuelta (Tue-Sat: 10:30am鈥�4pm, 8鈥�11pm; Sun: 10:30am鈥�4pm), a charming and unpretentious bar tucked away in a nearby alley just south of the square. Here, you can savor their mouthwatering signature tapa of "bacalao frito", which features perfectly battered and fried cod that simply melts in your mouth.
Furthermore, on nearby Calle de Cuchilleros street, you'll find Restaurante Bot铆n (1鈥�4pm, 8鈥�11:30pm daily), the world's oldest restaurant, founded in 1725, which has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.
With a capacity of up to fifty thousand people, the square was historically used for beatifications, coronations, public trials of heretics followed by the burning of the victims, theatrical performances, and bullfights. It has now become a popular destination for tourists, boasting expensive outdoor caf茅s and restaurants. Despite its transformation, the square retains an air of grandeur and continues to host public events, including outdoor theater, music performances, Christmas fairs, and a Sunday market for stamps and coins.
The central bronze equestrian statue depicts Felipe III and dates back to 1616.
Why You Should Visit:
The square is always a hub of activity, serving as a focal point for numerous open-air special events, ceremonies, and celebrations.
****FOOD WALK***
While many of the restaurants in the square tend to be a bit on the pricey side and often crowded with tourists, the ambiance of the place itself is truly delightful, making it a perfect spot to relax and indulge in a glass of fine Spanish wine accompanied by delicious tapas. One particularly noteworthy culinary delight is the calamari sandwich, a signature dish of Madrid, consisting of crispy battered calamari served in a bun, which pairs perfectly with an ice-cold beer.
Among the numerous gastronomic gems surrounding the square, you'll find the renowned Los Galayos historic restaurant. Open from 10am to 11:30pm every day, this establishment has been serving traditional Madrid recipes since 1894. Their specialty lies in the succulent beef tenderloin cooked on a sizzling hot stone block. With several dining rooms and two outdoor terraces, Los Galayos caters to those looking for a leisurely meal or a quick snack of tapas. Another hidden gem worth exploring is Casa Revuelta (Tue-Sat: 10:30am鈥�4pm, 8鈥�11pm; Sun: 10:30am鈥�4pm), a charming and unpretentious bar tucked away in a nearby alley just south of the square. Here, you can savor their mouthwatering signature tapa of "bacalao frito", which features perfectly battered and fried cod that simply melts in your mouth.
Furthermore, on nearby Calle de Cuchilleros street, you'll find Restaurante Bot铆n (1鈥�4pm, 8鈥�11:30pm daily), the world's oldest restaurant, founded in 1725, which has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Madrid. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Plaza Mayor (Town Square) on Map
Sight Name: Plaza Mayor (Town Square)
Sight Location: Madrid, Spain (See walking tours in Madrid)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Madrid, Spain (See walking tours in Madrid)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Madrid, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Madrid
Creating your own self-guided walk in Madrid is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Golden Mile Walking Tour
Similarly to 5th Avenue in New York City, Champs Elysee in Paris, or Bond Street in London, the Golden Mile is one of the wealthiest and most expensive neighborhoods of the Spanish capital. Forming part of Madrid's Salamanca district, this posh area is known for its upscale shopping, cultural attractions, and gastronomic delights.
One of the prominent local landmarks is Columbus Square... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
One of the prominent local landmarks is Columbus Square... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Miguel de Cervantes' Madrid Walking Tour
The name of the iconic Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes is closely associated with Madrid. The author is known for a number of works, but his 1605 novel Don Quixote de la Mancha is often held as the first modern novel.
Despite being regarded as one of the fathers of modern literature, very little is known about Cervantes' early life. Born in 1547, he had spent some of his young years in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Despite being regarded as one of the fathers of modern literature, very little is known about Cervantes' early life. Born in 1547, he had spent some of his young years in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Madrid Introduction Walking Tour
A city of elegant boulevards, beautiful squares, and manicured parks, the Spanish capital is renowned for its rich repositories of European art, portico-lined Plaza Mayor, baroque style Royal Palace and many other cultural and historical monuments.
Although the site of modern-day Madrid has been occupied since prehistoric times, the first historical document about an established settlement here... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Although the site of modern-day Madrid has been occupied since prehistoric times, the first historical document about an established settlement here... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Buen Retiro Park Walking Tour
Buen Retiro Park, which translates to "Park of the Pleasant Retreat", is one of the main attractions in Madrid. Similarly to Central Park of New York City or Hyde Park of London, this former royal retreat is the most popular public outdoor space in the Spanish capital.
A green oasis in the heart of the city, the park has long been a favorite spot for both locals and tourists to go for... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
A green oasis in the heart of the city, the park has long been a favorite spot for both locals and tourists to go for... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Souvenirs Shopping Tour
Shopping for souvenirs in Madrid is an exciting and delightful experience for anyone visiting the vibrant Spanish capital. Indeed, it would be a pity to leave Madrid without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original. With this in mind, we've compiled a list of must-visit locations where you can find souvenirs, which are unique to Madrid and make for... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Madrid Food Tour
Spain is internationally reputed as a major gastronomic power and its capital city Madrid attests to this claim, being home to vibrant food markets and multiple establishments serving traditional Spanish food in a soul-warming atmosphere.
One of the iconic food destinations is Plaza Mayor, a bustling town square where you can savor traditional Spanish dishes. The square is home to numerous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the iconic food destinations is Plaza Mayor, a bustling town square where you can savor traditional Spanish dishes. The square is home to numerous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
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A Self-Guided Food Walk in Madrid
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