Plaza de la Villa, Madrid: Casa de la Villa, Cisneros and Lujanes

Updated on October 9, 2026

The Plaza de la Villa is one of Madrid's oldest squares, a short walk from the Plaza Mayor and calle Mayor. Three buildings frame it: the Baroque Casa de la Villa, begun in 1645 and finished in 1693, the Plateresque Casa de Cisneros closing the south side, and the even older Lujanes tower. It is mostly an outdoor stop: allow 15 to 20 minutes. The square is pedestrian and free.

Highlights

The square as a whole

The brick and stone façades come from different periods but form a whole. Stand in the middle to compare the Baroque of the Casa de la Villa with the Plateresque of the Casa de Cisneros.

The Casa de la Villa

Former city hall, it was designed to house both the prison and the council. Its interior opens only for organised visits: check before you come.

The Lujanes tower

This late medieval tower is one of the few civil remains from that era in central Madrid. It is seen from the outside.

The statue of Álvaro de Bazán

In the middle of the square, it honours the 16th-century Spanish admiral.

Practical info

Tips

Prices checked in October 2026: free access to the square. The interior of the Casa de la Villa, notably its oratory with frescoes by Antonio Palomino, is visited on free guided tours, with compulsory booking on the city council's official portal; slots change by period and fill quickly. The buildings house municipal services or institutions: do not expect to walk in without a booking. The ground is flat, but the cobbles are uneven.

How to get there

Plaza de la Villa, 28005 Madrid, between calle Mayor and calle del Codo. Ópera metro (lines 2 and 5) or Sol (lines 1, 2 and 3), about 8 minutes' walk. The Plaza Mayor is five minutes' walk along calle Mayor.