Madrid · Royal and Habsburg Madrid
Plaza Mayor
A closed 17th-century square of uniform facades and arcades, with a statue of Philip III in the middle and the Arco de Cuchilleros in one corner. Most visitors cross it between Sol and the palace and stop for a coffee.
- 40 min
- Free
- Booking: not needed
- Royal and Habsburg Madrid
Data checked on October 4, 2026
The square was built in the early 17th century under Philip III and rebuilt after several fires, the last in 1790. It is a closed rectangle of tall brick houses with balconies over a ground floor of arcades. The Casa de la Panadería, with its painted facade, sits on the north side. Several arched passages lead out, and the Arco de Cuchilleros drops by steps to the street below.
What to look for
- The painted facade of the Casa de la Panadería
- The statue of Philip III
- The Arco de Cuchilleros
Opening hours
Always open.
Source: esMadrid, checked October 4, 2026
Tickets and booking
Free.
Getting there
Sol (Metro lines 1, 2 and 3) is about a 5 minute walk down Calle Mayor.
Tip
Come in the morning, before the arcades fill. For food, walk a street away from the square's terraces.