# Plaza de España, Madrid > Plaza de España is a large pedestrian square at the end of Gran Vía, between the Royal Palace and the Temple of Debod. In the middle stands a monument to Miguel de Cervantes with bronze figures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, surrounded by fountains, lawns and two 1950s skyscrapers. From the roof of one of them there's a 360-degree view of Madrid. The square is free; allow 30 minutes. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/plaza-de-espana-madrid - City: [Madrid](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid), Spain - YesGo score: 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 30 min - Opening hours: Always open - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free, 24 hours - Highlights: The Cervantes monument, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza - Viewpoint: Edificio España rooftop, ticketed - Time needed: 20–30 minutes - Nearby: Temple of Debod, Gran Vía, Royal Palace - Location: Plaza de España metro (L2, L3, L10) - Coordinates: 40.42339, -3.71223 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1925–1957** — the Cervantes monument was built (source: English Wikipedia) - **1950s** — the square's skyscrapers went up (source: English Wikipedia) - **2021** — the square was renewed and pedestrianised (source: English Wikipedia) - **Don Quixote** — and Sancho Panza star in the monument (source: English Wikipedia) ## About Plaza de España The square sits on the western edge of the centre, where **Gran Vía** ends and a green slope runs down to the Parque del Oeste and the Temple of Debod. In the mid-20th century Madrid's first two skyscrapers rose on its sides, the **Edificio España** and the **Torre de Madrid**, then among the tallest buildings in Europe. In **2021** the square was completely redesigned: traffic went into a tunnel, and pedestrian avenues, fountains, lawns and playgrounds took its place, linking the square to the Sabatini Gardens and the Royal Palace. It's now a pleasant place to rest between walks in the centre. ## The Cervantes monument The square's centrepiece is the **monument to Miguel de Cervantes**, author of Don Quixote. Built from **1925 to 1957**, it shows the writer seated on a tall stone plinth, with **Don Quixote** on his bony horse Rocinante and his loyal squire **Sancho Panza** on a donkey in bronze before him. Dulcinea and the peasant girl Aldonza stand to the sides. A long pool in front reflects the bronze heroes and the plinth. It's one of Madrid's most popular photo spots, especially in the evening when it's lit. Children enjoy hunting for other characters from the novel and symbols of Spanish literature on the monument. ## What to see on Plaza de España - **The Cervantes monument** — the writer and his heroes. - **Don Quixote and Sancho Panza** — the bronze riders. - **The pool and fountains** — reflections of the monument. - **Edificio España** — a skyscraper with a rooftop viewpoint. - **Torre de Madrid** — a 1950s tower. - **The Sabatini Gardens** — the way to the Royal Palace. > **The rooftop panorama** On the roof of the Edificio España is an open-air viewing deck with a bar, looking out over the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, Gran Vía and the mountains on the horizon. It's ticketed, with fewer places at sunset, so arrive early. Part of it has a glass floor above the street. ## Where to go from the square To the west, across the road and up the slope, is the [Temple of Debod](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/temple-of-debod), a genuine Egyptian temple with the city's best sunset, 5 to 7 minutes' walk away. To the south lie the Sabatini Gardens and the [Royal Palace](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/royal-palace-madrid), about 10 minutes on foot. To the east begins **Gran Vía**, with theatres, cinemas, shops and fine early 20th-century buildings, leading to the Cibeles fountain in 15 to 20 minutes. To the north are the lively Malasaña and Chamberí districts, with bars and cafés where locals have lunch. ## How to get to the square 1. Metro: **Plaza de España** station on lines L2, L3 and L10, exiting onto the square. 2. From [Puerta del Sol](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/puerta-del-sol), 15 minutes on foot along Gran Vía or 2 metro stops. 3. From the Royal Palace, 10 minutes on foot through the Sabatini Gardens. 4. The viewpoint entrance is through the hotel on the lower floors of the Edificio España. ## Tips The square makes a natural link between the Royal Palace and the Temple of Debod: the palace by day, a rest by the fountains after lunch, and sunset at the temple or on the skyscraper roof. In summer the lawns and shady trees are a refuge from the midday heat. At weekends there are sometimes craft, book and food fairs, and in the evening families stroll here with children. There are plenty of cafés around, and for a cheaper lunch head a couple of blocks north into Malasaña or along Calle de la Princesa. It's easy with children: new playgrounds, fountains and plenty of room to run. Bring a copy of Don Quixote and make a game of finding every character on the monument. ## Checklist Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Photograph Don Quixote and Sancho Panza - [ ] Find Dulcinea on the plinth - [ ] Go up to the Edificio España rooftop - [ ] Walk to the Temple of Debod for sunset - [ ] Stroll along Gran Vía ## Places in Madrid: compare and choose Places in Madrid rated by YesGo. - [Puerta del Sol](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/puerta-del-sol) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 25 min · Free - [Plaza Mayor](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/plaza-mayor-madrid) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 40 min · Free - [Plaza de España](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/plaza-de-espana-madrid) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free - [Retiro Park](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/retiro-park) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 45 min · Free - [Ávila](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/avila) — YesGo score 27/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 6 h · Town free ## Don't mix it up Madrid's Plaza de España and Seville's are different places. Seville's has a semicircular palace and a canal with rowing boats. ## Tips - Photograph Don Quixote by the pool. - Panorama from the skyscraper roof. - The Temple of Debod is close for sunset. - Gran Vía starts here. ## Questions ### What is there to see on Plaza de España in Madrid? The Cervantes monument with Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, the fountains and the Edificio España rooftop. ### How do I get to Plaza de España? By metro to Plaza de España, lines L2, L3 and L10. ### What's near Plaza de España? The Temple of Debod, the Sabatini Gardens, the Royal Palace and Gran Vía. ### Can you go up to a viewpoint? Yes, to the Edificio España rooftop, with a ticket. ### Is the square free? Yes, it's always open and free. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Viewpoint hours and prices weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Plaza de España, Madrid - Madrid tourism portal, esmadrid.com --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.