Hotels near Plaza de Cibeles

Plaza de Cibeles is Madrid's most photographed fountain - the goddess Cybele in a chariot drawn by lions, sculpted by Francisco Gutierrez and Roberto Michel between 1777 and 1782. Real Madrid celebrate every La Liga and Champions League title here, climbing the goddess herself with the trophy. The square is ringed by four monumental buildings: Cibeles Palace (Madrid City Hall, formerly the Post Office), Buenavista Palace, Linares Palace, and the Bank of Spain.

The square is free, always open. The Cibeles Palace 8th-floor observation deck (Mirador) is open Tue-Sun 10.30am-2pm and 4-7pm for EUR 3 - the best central panoramic view in Madrid. The Christmas tree at Cibeles is the city's tallest each December.

Pro Tip: Walk from Plaza de Cibeles east on Paseo del Prado to the Prado Museum (10 min), or north on Paseo de Recoletos to Plaza de Colon. The Mirador rooftop at sunset is the best EUR 3 in Madrid.