The Plaza Mayor is the great arcaded square of old Madrid, in the Madrid de los Austrias district, between the Puerta del Sol and the San Miguel Market. It is a public space open day and night, every day, and entry is free; the tourist information centre in the Casa de la Panadería, on the square, is open daily from 10am to 8pm. Born in the late 15th century on the old market square of the Arrabal, it took its regular shape from 1617 under the direction of the architect Juan Gómez de Mora. After the fire of 1790, Juan de Villanueva rebuilt it: he lowered the façades by two storeys, closed the corners and opened the nine arches that lead into it. Allow 30 minutes to walk around it, longer if you sit down at a café terrace.
Highlights
The square and the statue of Philip III
In the centre stands the equestrian statue of Philip III, begun by Giambologna and completed by Pietro Tacca in 1616. It was placed on the square in 1848, on the initiative of Queen Isabella II. Stand near the pedestal to take in the continuous line of façades and arcades.
The Casa de la Panadería
The two-towered building on the north side, built around 1590 by Diego Sillero, housed the city's main bakery. Its façade is covered with murals by Carlos Franco depicting mythological figures. Today it houses the Plaza Mayor tourist information centre, at number 27.
The Arco de Cuchilleros
The best known of the nine arches, in the south-west corner, leads down a large staircase to Calle de Cuchilleros, where the cutlers who supplied the square's butchers had their workshops. It bridges the steep drop between the square and the Cava de San Miguel.
The Casa de la Carnicería
Opposite the Casa de la Panadería, the square's former meat store now houses a hotel.
The Christmas market and the stamp market
From late November to 31 December, the square hosts the Christmas market, with nativity figures and festive goods (see [Christmas in Madrid](/fr/attractions/noel-a-madrid)). On Sunday mornings, a market of stamps and old coins sets up under the arcades.
The nearby streets
The [Puerta del Sol](/fr/attractions/puerta-del-sol) is a 5-minute walk to the north-east, and the [San Miguel Market](/fr/attractions/marche-de-san-miguel) is 2 minutes from the square's west exit. For a full walk through the district, follow our guide to [Madrid de los Austrias](/fr/articles/madrid-des-autrichiens).
Infos pratiques
Tips
Entry to the square is free. The café terraces under the arcades charge more than the bars in the surrounding streets: check the menu and the posted prices before you sit down. The square is very busy and pickpockets are active, especially around the statue and the terraces; keep your bag closed and in front of you (see [scams and safety in Madrid](/fr/articles/arnaques-a-eviter-madrid)). The tourist information centre in the Casa de la Panadería provides maps and information in several languages.
How to get there
Plaza Mayor, 28012 Madrid. Metro Sol (lines 1, 2 and 3), Ópera (lines 2 and 5 and Ramal) or Tirso de Molina (line 1), then a 5-minute walk. Cercanías commuter train: Sol station (lines C3 and C4).
Opening hours
Nearby
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