If you go to Madrid and don't come here you have missed the best of Madrid. Plenty of places to eat and drink both inside the square and just outside of it. Great place for strolling around and a meal. Lots of sites nearby too. read more

Plaza Mayor is the quintessential tourist destination. Yes, you have to see it at least once, but you also have to beware of the pitfalls that plague such a popular tourist destination as well. Yes, there are high priced restaurants. Yes, there are large crowds. Yes, there are street performers. Even Minnie Mouse has been known to make an appearance. But going to Madrid and not going to Plaza Mayor is like going to Paris and skipping the Eiffel Tower. Walked through the plaza with my husband a couple times on our recent trip abroad. Didn't partake in any of the offerings actually in the plaza, but it does serve as the hub of Madrid in some ways and a lot of the things we did want to see weren't far from here. Excellent people watching! Go. See. Skip the t-shirt. read more

Overrated, didn't see any shops, just a street cart and what appeared to be a coffee shop. Square smells like pee. Watch your bags/purses, found my zipper opened after a Street show so be careful. read more

Wonderful place for a quick lunch on a sunny day. There are restaurants bordering the entire square and street performers putting on funny (sometimes scary lol) shows. If you want to try some good tapas and delicious gazpacho, make your way over to La Torre Del Oro Bar Andalu. Grab a beer and a bite, sit outside and people watch during your break. read more

Just stop by and take some pictures to get the Madrid vibe. Wouldn't recommend eating/drinking here as its a tourists only place and the prices are very expensive. Get here early (before 10am) to avoid the crowds if you want a really good picture. I've read that it's a fun place to sit, have coffee and people watch. read more

Yup, this place is it... What I thought Europe would be. It doesn't seem real. read more

Ugh, this place has everything I hate. Creeps in nasty old cartoon costumes pestering you take a picture with them for 5 euros, overpriced cafes, swarms of schoolkids and tourists and street vendors selling tacky plastic crap and noisemakers. The tourist building has some below average frescos, but other than that there is nothing to see here. I've seen many such squares in Spain, Portugal and elsewhere in Europe, and never have I wanted to leave one as fast as I did this one. You're not missing anything if you don't visit here. It'd be more interesting if it told you about all the horrible stuff that happened here during the Spanish Inquisition, but that whole part of Spanish history seems to be buried as deep as possible. read more

It's a big square where many a tourist will pass through. There's a few things to see but imo it won't take you too long to breeze through here and it's walkable to Palacio Real which is even more impressive. DIfferent type of place but worth a look see. Did I mention it's a big square? read more

Love, Love, Love this area in Madrid! I went to visit my coworker who lives in Madrid and she brought me here the 1st night I arrived in Spain. I knew I had to come back the next day to see it during the day. There are restaurants, cafes, and shops around the plaza. I love the energy and vibe of this area. My last day in Madrid, I ate at a restaurant at the plaza to soak in some sun and people watched. It's definitely romantic and the buildings are pretty! I must have taken so many shots here with my camera. You will definitely fall in love with this area! read more

It's probably the only place in Madrid where the centre or "street" is in a perfect square. Given the surrounding streets this is a bit of a trip. There are shops surrounding it which makes it worth while. There is a love/hate relationship with this. I love the history and appreciate the execution, however, the stores are an over priced tourist traps. There are oddly characters that try and get you to take pictures with them for money (like LA's Sunset Strip) which is creepy when you just want a photo with you and your best friend. read more

Plaza Mayor - Times are tough for Minnie since Euro Disney closed that she now has to "work the streets" - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Madrid, M

Plaza Mayor and the surrounding areas are a must visit for those travel on business and are able to find one evening during the trip without business commitments. I loved the architecture and the open spaces. I was there before the dinner hour around 7 pm, the plaza was not crowded. I saw several interesting restaurants there too. It is a great night spot for everyone. However, beware of the pick-pockets and cellphone snatchers and hold onto your wallet / purse. The security was good as there were police everywhere. As a New York City veteran, I thought I felt and spot potential trouble occasionally - perhaps overly sensitive!? read more

Huge central space in Madrid off the Calle Mayor, this is where everyone touristy goes. There is an information centre which provides lots of helpful information and free 15 minute internet slots for those all important facebook updates. There are lots of very nice, very expensive touristy shops in the cloisters of the square, full of leicester square style tat, but perhaps the most important reason to visit the square is all the little squares and streets that spin off it to the south, where you can find better, cheaper restaurants and bars. read more

Busy, busy heart of Madrid. Kilómetro 0 plaque in sidewalk makes it feel a little like going to Ecuador and standing on the equator well, perhaps not quite the same. A lot of the area has been renovated by fresh paint, which means it looks very different today than 20 - 25 years ago. What is still the same are the mobs of people and the rushing of vehicles. Some tourists will enjoy this excess of humanity and activity, but not this one. There are also some stories about some of the buildings which are a bit dark, considering people have been detained in one of the buildings. One fun thing is to stand in the center and decide which of the arteries out takes your fancy, then follow it. I would also hold onto one's purse here - tightly. It was in the Puerta del Sol where I was robbed (and lost 2 passports plus tickets the day before an international trip) - the only time I've had anybody steal anything in years on end of traveling through Iberia. There was a ring of thieves working the area, as the police told me. New Year's Eve is a big event here - like Times Square. people gather to down the 12 uvas de la suerte ( 12 lucky grapes) as the clock gongs. Go if you wish, but again don't take any valuables. read more

El Plaza Mayor in Madrid is not as significant as the one in Salamanca. I found it to be very dull due to crowded street entertainers and tourists. I did enjoy the fact that there were musicians and painters, gave a little life to the Plaza. read more

Plaza Mayor - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Madrid, M

Best place especially with the Mercado right next door. My favorite place in Madrid.

There is an old world charm to this place which is filled with tourist stand annoying people in costumes Beware of pickpockets!!! read more

Gotta visit and feel the vibe not only on the Plaza, but the entire area surrounding Plaza Mayor. Whole lot going on around this area of Madrid. Don't worry if you find yourself going back multiple times to sample more of the culture of Madrid. Of course you will be one of hundreds or tourists but, that is also what makes it real. Swing by one of the lcoations of "Museo de Jamon" for a draft beer, and a sample of the finest Manchego and Jamon Iberico. Lot's of varieties of both, and depends on how much you want to spend. Me? I blew the bank there as an appetizer (get it from the butcher side, wrapped in waxed paper, and take it to the Plaza to eat.) Next, head out to one of the many tapas places nearby. Mercado de San Miguel should be on the list too. Enjoy! read more

this was the closest plaza to where we stayed in madrid and i have to say, this is where life happens, by day and by night. here, we saw street performers, the famous "cabra de plaza mayor" (goat of plaza mayor), asian chair masseuses (yep, you could take a break and get a chair massage here), numerous souvenir shops, and a handful of restaurants. we walked through here almost daily, since it was on our way to wherever we needed to get to, and always saw something different. one evening, they had a live band set up, and a ton of people swarmed the stage, trying to get a glimpse of the musicians...the best part was that it was free! definitely worth stopping by if you are visiting madrid as you'll get to see a little bit of everything. as with all other touristy places, be weary of pickpockets! read more

Madrid is filled with plazas but this is the main one or major one hence the name Plaza Mayor. Here you'll find street vendors willing to draw your face as a caricature, sell the children some sort of eye catching toy or maybe just crowd around one of the magicians, street jugglers, dancers, etc. that come out to entertain the crowds. If that is not for you, on the out skirts you have plenty of shopping, restaurants and bars to grab a bite to eat of something to drink. One of my favorites in Madrid, Plaza Mayor lives up to it's name! read more

This is the big may plaza in Madrid. Watch out for pickpockets. Like any plaza in Europe, it's got a statue of a dude on a horse. That's a common theme in all of Europe. LoL. read more

This is the central square of Old Madrid or Moorish Madrid. This is typical of a European square, best experienced by immersing in the cafe culture, sitting by the square cafes, and enjoying that 6-Euro cup of fine Cappuccino. It was under renovation at the time, thus perhaps not yet in full splendor. read more

Not one of my favorite places in Madrid. Too tourist, too crowded, too expensive and a bit dirty and abandoned by the city council. But I should recognize that I have also had fun in this place. It is one of the few open spaces of the city center where you usually do events like concerts, street markets, especially Christmas, or sports or charity events. Here they are made bullfights, trials, weddings and even death sentences by Inquisition. It's very long history of this place, because in every corner, at every gate and every building have happened things that have changed the history of the city. The rectangular square consists of ten gateways, arcades area and the equestrian statue of King Philip III. For locals, the most typical of the Plaza Mayor is going to eat squid sandwiches or sit and have a coffee in one of its terraces, although both are usually more expensive than elsewhere in the city. read more

by night, it looks like an empty place, but be carefill, thousands of People on the run, tourists like me, some Lovers, and also some street vendors with strange offers read more

Plaza Mayor - Plaza by night - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Madrid, M

Great area to just walk around. You can take about a hundred good photos here. Take your time, get a drink at one of the cafes here, watch the people walk around. Wonder the stores. If its hot, enter the inner part of the plaza where there is shade and take it all in. read more

I consider myself very lucky for living near this super famous and lively square. Plaza Mayor is one must-visit place in Madrid, and one of my favourite tourist spots. On sunny weekends wandering around here is great. There are a lot of small shops, tapas bar and restaurants here. I wouldn't eat on most of the restaurants right on Plaza Mayor (kind of tourists traps) but some bars are cheap (like La Sureña) and you can always have a squid sandwich (bocadillo de calamares) for 3-3.5EUR in plenty of places. Not the best you could have in Madrid, but it's typical :) What I like the most is to get lost in the narrow, winding alleys that surround the square, it's a bit like travelling to the past. read more

A lot of fun packed into a tiny place. Street entertainers and Tapas bar. I love Madrid. Catch a Cafe Con Leche (worth a 5 star review in itself) and sit and watch the folks. read more

I think most sights in Madrid deserve 5 stars but let me tell you why I like this place so much. I'm a fan of stepping into history, sitting down, and watching people. Yes, I am a fan of people watching and I get that when I'm here. There are plenty of things that you can do in this area but any American visitng the Plaza needs to realize that you need to SLOW DOWN. I had that epiphany when I was here because I realized I was in such a hurry that I need to slow down and enjoy the historic and awesome atmosphere at this spot. There are plenty of lovely tourist traps, the ever annoying pick pockets, but also an equal amount of cafes and bars, and some shopping. Aside from the street performers trying to impress you with their cool moves and the folks selling you a bunch of stuff it is a place where you pick out a little spot so you're not in the way of the tourists. Sit down, relax, soak up a little sun...not too much, There's no way you could visit Madrid and not visit the Plaza Mayor - and if you are one of those people...I need a serious reason about how the heck you could miss such a historic, bubbly place like this. Insane. Bring your wife/husband/kids and relax -- its just one of those places that you can do just that. read more

What a great plaza in the centre of Madrid! It really seems like one of those place where everyone converges and enjoy the sunshine! When I was there it was in the lead up to Christmas so the square was decorated for the festive season, there was a promo tent giving away free food (always a bonus!) a very talented quartet performing some numbers and the vibe was exhilarating. Don't eat at the restaurants in the plaza as it's incredibly overpriced, but do go, have a wander and take some photos to soak up the atmosphere. I was a little sad there was some scaffolding covering one of the buildings which was a shame but it was grand nonetheless! read more

Grand in ever sense of the word! The buildings surrounding this plaza are amazing, restaurants are tourist-like so I avoided, and fountain underwhelming but the portals and arches in and out are like Milan, just gorgeous. I'd say a great spot of shopping in the area that you can get a drink or lunch snack but at night it is the lights on the buildings that compels! read more

Yes, it's touristy and you should not eat and drink here, but you should pass through it at least once. As one of the other re-viewers has pointed out, there are some great bars and restaurants off some of the side streets which are worth checking out. There are often open air concerts and displays here in summer for free which are well worth attending. read more

What a lovely place. Madrid doesn't have a nice river like Paris, but it does have a lovely old square. Plaza Mayor has shops all around it, cafes all over it, and tourists everywhere. The cafes are pretty stupidly expensive, but that's what you pay for such beautiful surroundings. It's a wonderful place for a walk and an evening drink, and it's easy to get to and find. Definitely one of Madrid's main attractions, if you ask me. read more