Hotels near Plaza de Espana

Plaza de Espana was built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition and remains one of the most impressive public squares in Europe. The semicircular brick-and-tile complex spans 50,000 square metres, with a central fountain, a canal you can cross by rowboat, and 48 tiled alcoves along the base of the building - each representing a Spanish province, arranged in alphabetical order. The craftsmanship is exceptional: hand-painted ceramic benches, ornate bridges over the canal, and a neo-Mudejar facade that curves around the entire plaza.

The plaza is free to enter at all times and functions as a genuine public space - locals jog here in the morning, families picnic on weekends, and flamenco guitarists often perform under the colonnades. It has served as a location for Star Wars: Episode II (standing in for Naboo's Theed city), Lawrence of Arabia, and The Dictator. Rowboat rentals on the canal cost a few euros and run year-round in good weather. The building itself houses government offices, so only the ground-level arcade and plaza are open to visitors.

Pro Tip: Come at sunset when the low light catches the tilework at its warmest. Morning visits (before 10:00) are best for photos without crowds. The alcove for your home province - or the one with the most elaborate tilework (Granada is a popular pick) - makes for a memorable photo spot.