The Plaza Mayor is one of Madrid’s main tourist attractions and draws in millions of visitors a year.

It may not be a piece of architectural art, but the Plaza Mayor is a great place to experience the friendly atmosphere of Madrid. Highly popular amongst tourists and Spanish residents, the Plaza is a great spot to come together with the many citizens of this nation.

The most recent incarnation of The Plaza Mayor was formed after a terrible wide spread fire back in 1790. It has been a public square in most literal terms throughout its existence, it’s been host to bullfights, politics, festivals and even public executions. Reading up on it’s history prior to visiting it, or even whilst there, will make a trip there even more worthwhile.

Holding up to 50,000 people at one time, squaring off at around 100m on each of it’s sides, it doesn’t seem to be on such a large scale. It’s often crowded, particularly so in the summer months. To have a genuine Spanish adventure, the various festivals they have through out the years are a great chance to experience the culture.

It’s the perfect place to get a meal or a drink or just take a rest, as there are dozens of cafes, bars and restaurants on offer there. A plethora of classic Spanish meals can be ordered, often at prices that are reasonable. There are also many souvenir shops were you can purchase something to remember your trip by.

There are many convenient spots in the buildings lining the square where you can get a birds-eye view of events taking place in the Plaza below. This way you can avoid the crowds and still drink in the atmosphere and experience the sights and sounds of The Plaza Mayor.