Sol, Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace
Kilometre zero, Plaza Mayor and one of Europe’s largest royal palaces.
This is postcard Madrid and the area almost every visitor walks through on day one. Between Puerta del Sol and the Royal Palace lies the so-called Madrid de los Austrias (Habsburg Madrid): the 16th- and 17th-century city, with Plaza Mayor, convents, alleys and some of the oldest taverns in town.
You can cover it on foot in a morning, but it is worth spending longer to go inside the palace, watch the sunset from the gardens and get lost around Calle Mayor and Cava Baja.
What to see
Puerta del Sol
Kilometre zero of Spain’s radial roads is marked on the pavement in front of the Real Casa de Correos, whose clock chimes in the New Year. The Bear and Strawberry Tree statue, symbol of the city, is here too.
Plaza Mayor
A 17th-century arcaded square with the frescoed Casa de la Panadería. In December it hosts the Christmas market. Enter through the Arco de Cuchilleros to see the square from below.
San Miguel Market
An early-20th-century iron market turned gourmet food hall. Pretty and handy, but expensive: treat it as a snack stop, not a full meal.
Royal Palace
The official (not actual) residence of the Spanish royal family and one of the largest palaces in Europe. You visit the state rooms, the Royal Armoury and the Pharmacy. It may close for state events, so check Patrimonio Nacional’s website. EU citizens and residents get free entry at certain times on weekday afternoons.
Almudena Cathedral and Plaza de Oriente
The cathedral opposite the palace was finished in 1993, neoclassical outside and neo-Gothic inside. Plaza de Oriente, with its statues of kings and the opera house behind, is a lovely place to rest.
Sabatini Gardens, Campo del Moro and Temple of Debod
The Sabatini Gardens give the best side view of the palace. Keep walking north to reach the Temple of Debod, a genuine Egyptian temple and Madrid’s favourite sunset spot.
Descalzas Reales Monastery
Two streets from Sol, a 16th-century convent with a surprising art collection. Guided visits only, with very limited capacity (Patrimonio Nacional).
Detailed guides: Royal Palace of Madrid · Plaza Mayor · Puerta del Sol · Temple of Debod · Almudena Cathedral
Where to eat and go for tapas
The local classics are the fried squid sandwich (bocadillo de calamares, sold at several bars around Plaza Mayor), churros with hot chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés, open very late, and roast suckling pig at Sobrino de Botín on Calle Cuchilleros, listed by Guinness as the world’s oldest restaurant still in operation.
For better-value tapas head down to La Latina: Cava Baja and Cava Alta are lined with taverns, and Plaza de la Paja is a calm spot for a terrace.
Full food guide: Sol & Royal Palace →
Well-known places are mentioned for information only; we have no commercial relationship with them. Businesses change, so check opening hours before you go.
Getting around
Metro Sol (lines 1, 2 and 3) and Cercanías Sol (C-3 and C-4), and Metro Ópera (lines 2, 5 and the Ópera–Príncipe Pío branch) for the palace. Sol to the Royal Palace is a 15-minute walk along Calle Mayor or Calle Arenal, both largely pedestrian.
More detail in our metro and commuter train guide.
Tips
- Sol and Plaza Mayor are pickpocket hotspots: wear your backpack in front in crowds and keep phones out of back pockets.
- Terraces on Plaza Mayor charge for the view: a coffee or beer in a side street costs much less.
- Buy Royal Palace tickets online and go early; the solemn Changing of the Guard takes place on some Wednesdays at noon (not in summer or every month).
- At sunset, the best free plan is to stroll from Plaza de Oriente to the Sabatini Gardens and end at the Temple of Debod.