The Cibeles Palace, the former Palace of Communications built for the Spanish postal service, dominates the Plaza de Cibeles, where Calle de Alcalá meets the Paseo del Prado. Today it houses Madrid City Hall and the CentroCentro cultural centre, whose exhibitions are free, as well as Mirador Madrid, a panoramic terrace at the top of the tower. The building is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00; access to the viewpoint costs €4 (prices checked in October 2026). In front of the palace, the Cibeles Fountain is one of the symbols of the city.
Highlights
The palace façade
The architects Antonio Palacios and Joaquín Otamendi won the 1904 competition; work began in late 1907 and lasted twelve years, until the inauguration on 14 March 1919. With its towers and pinnacles in white stone, the building was nicknamed the "Cathedral of Communications". It has been a protected monument since 1993.
Mirador Madrid
From the tower terrace, the view takes in the Plaza de Cibeles, Calle de Alcalá, the Paseo del Prado and the rooftops of the centre. It is reached from the sixth floor by a staircase of 88 steps; lifts are available for people with reduced mobility and pushchairs. Entry is in time slots of about 30 minutes.
The Cibeles Fountain
Designed in 1777 by Ventura Rodríguez, it shows the goddess Cybele seated in a chariot drawn by two lions; the goddess and chariot are by Francisco Gutiérrez, the lions by Roberto Michel. Moved to its current site in 1895, it is part of the Landscape of Light, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021. A restoration is scheduled from June to October 2026: the fountain may still be under scaffolding when you visit.
CentroCentro
Opened on 27 March 2011, the cultural centre occupies part of the palace: exhibitions, concerts and public programmes, with free entry. The centre's spaces include the former postal operations hall, the Antiguo Patio de Operaciones.
Opening hours and prices
Building open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00, closed on Mondays, on 1 and 6 January, 1 May and 24, 25 and 31 December; exhibitions free. Viewpoint open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 19:30, last entry 30 minutes before closing; it is also closed on 5 January and 12 October, and may close in bad weather. Viewpoint ticket: €4; reduced rate €2 (ages 7 to 14, over-65s, unemployed people, people with disabilities and their companion); €1 for under-6s, official guides and teachers accompanying a group. Online purchases carry a €0.50 booking fee; ticket office open from 10:00 to 13:40 and from 15:00 to 19:10. Prices checked in October 2026.
Infos pratiques
Tips
Buy your viewpoint ticket online or at the ticket office as soon as you arrive: places per slot are limited and waiting times vary with demand. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. While you are there, see the free CentroCentro exhibitions, then walk to the Puerta de Alcalá, about 5 minutes away along Calle de Alcalá.
How to get there
Plaza de Cibeles, 1, 28014 Madrid. Metro Banco de España (line 2); Cercanías Recoletos. Buses 1, 2, 5, 9, 10, 14, 15, 20, 27, 34, 37, 45, 51, 52, 53, 74, 146, 150, 202 and 203, plus the Exprés Aeropuerto line.
Opening hours
Nearby
Comments
No comments yet.