Located in the Retiro-Paseo del Arte aerea, Plaza de Cibeles is one of the 10 places of tourism in Madrid.
The square serves as a significant and symbolic starting point for many city tours and stands among the top ten must-visit places in the city.
In the 16th century, it was the meeting point for two promenades, which on good weather days served as recreational spaces.
As a result, we know these points today as Paseo de Recoletos and Paseo del Prado.
Components of Plaza de Cibeles
Cibeles Fountain
It is located in the center of the square. The fountain shows the goddess Cibeles on a chariot pulled by lions. It was designed by the architect Ventura Rodriguez in 1782.
In its beginnings, the fountain served to supply water to the people of Madrid, and in 1895, it was moved to the center of the square, becoming a decorative element.
Since 1962, it has been the place where the fans of Club Atlético de Madrid celebrate the titles obtained by their team, but in the 1980s, the Atléticos moved their celebrations to the Neptune Fountain.
Nowadays, it is an icon for the followers of the Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, as it is the venue for celebrating the titles of the Madrid football team, in addition to the triumphs of the Spanish football team.
The square is surrounded by beautiful buildings: Palacio de Cibeles, Palacio de Linares, Palacio de Buenavista, and Banco de España.
Cibeles Palace
The Cibeles Palace was inaugurated in 1919 and previously served as the central post office and telegraph office.
Recently, it underwent renovations to house the Madrid City Council and the Centro cultural centre.
The palace’s most striking aspect is undoubtedly its monumental main façade.
Visitors can explore the palace and ascend to the terrace to enjoy the panoramic views of the city from its viewpoint.
Linares Palace
Built by order of the Marquis of Linares, Linares Palace was inaugurated in 1900 after 23 years of work.
Its appearance resembles that of nineteenth-century palaces.
Presently, “Casa de América” is stationed there, arranging cultural exchanges between Spain and Latin America, along with hosting commercial or institutional occasions.
Linares Palace
Bank of Spain
Inaugurated in 1891, the bank of Spain has an imposing façade with a superb appearance.
Inside, it houses a collection of paintings, including works by Goya, Madrazo, Zuloaga, Mengs and Sorolla Its foundations reach the ground floor of the Cibeles Fountain, where water was a security element used to protect the gold kept in the security cameras.
Bank of Spain
Buenavista Palace
It is located on the Gran Vía road and in front of the Bank of Spain, and it was built in 1777 by the twelfth Duke of Alba.
It is the oldest building of the four that surround the square, and it is the least visible because it is behind a wooded area.
After being the home of the Dukes of Alba, it was ceded to the Ministry of War, becoming the headquarters of the General Headquarters of the Army.
What to see near Plaza de Cibeles
Near the Plaza, you have the Art Triangle, formed by three of the best museums in the world: Prado Museum, the Thyssen Museum, and the Reina Sofia Museum. You also have Retiro Park with its Crystal Palace or the San Jerónimo Parish.
From there, you can follow the plan to visit Madrid in 1 day or these tips for your first visit to Madrid.
Our accommodations in Madrid
In this area, we have apartments by months in the Centro area, apartments by months in the Retiro area, and in a quieter and less touristic area, you can consider the apartments by months in the Salamanca district.
For a short stay, we have apartments by days next to Calle Serrano and Paseo de la Castellana, in the Escultor Building, and accommodation by category: a list of apartments for companies or our list of apartments for students.
