The best viewpoints in Madrid – with map

Whether from certain squares, parks, monuments or even from a lighthouse - Madrid offers a variety of viewpoints, in Spanish "miradores", from which you can enjoy the Spanish capital from above. We present you the most beautiful places with a view in Madrid.

The Palacio Real is one of the most spectacular sights in Madrid and should not be missed on a sightseeing tour through the Spanish capital. You can look over the cornice (Spanish: "cornisa") of the Royal Palace from the Mirador de la Cornisa del Palacio Real .

The viewpoint only opened in the summer of 2021. You can find it in the Plaza de la Armería between the palace and the cathedral. You can get to the Mirador through one of the five gates that were once the passage for the palace's original fence. Access to the viewpoint is free. According to the tourism authority, you can visit it Monday to Sunday from 12 noon to 10 p.m.

The view stretches to the peaks of the Sierra de Guadarrama. When you look at the city, you might be surprised at how green Madrid is. You can see the Moorish gardens and even part of the city park La Casa de Campo. At 1535.52 hectares, it is the largest urban park in Spain and is home to an amusement park and the Teleférico, which is popular with tourists.

The Madrid Cable Car connects the Casa de Campo with the Parque del Oeste on the other bank of the Manzanares River. It is currently under repair (as of March 22, 2024). Once the renovation is complete, it will also offer great views of the greenest part of the city.

The Catedral de la Almudena , along with the neighboring Royal Palace, is one of the most visited sights in Madrid. Anyone visiting the cathedral should not miss the spectacular view offered by the dome.

The dome is 70 metres high. From a bird's eye view you can admire the Royal Palace, the Plaza de Oriente in front of it and another spectacular dome, that of the Basilica of San Francisco el Grande. Access to the dome of the Almudena Cathedral is via a staircase. It is only permitted to visitors to the museum , which houses the relics of the city's patron saints: the Virgen de la Almudena and San Isidro Labrador.

From the Almudena Cathedral you have a beautiful view of the rooftops of the city.

Source: imago images/Panthermedia

The museum gallery also offers other interesting views. According to the city's tourist office , you can watch the changing of the royal guard from there. This takes place on the first Wednesday of every month on the palace esplanade.

Admission to the museum costs 7 euros. It includes not only the museum and the dome climb, but also the sacristy and the chapter house.

Although Madrid is far from the sea, there is still a lighthouse in the middle of the city. The Faro de Moncloa was built in 1992, when Madrid was given the title of "European Capital of Culture".

The lighthouse rises 110 metres high on the Avenida de la Memoria and promises an incredible view. A panoramic elevator takes you up to 92 metres. Once there, you can see numerous tourist highlights of the city through the panoramic windows, including the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral.

The Faro de Moncloa reopened in 2021 after renovations and offers great views of the city.

Source: imago images/Lagencia

You can also admire the gigantic Telefónica building on the Gran Vía shopping street - Madrid's "Broadway" - as well as the Las Cuatro Torres (the four towers) skyscraper complex, which dominates the city's skyline, from above. The spectacular view is framed by the mountain peaks of the Sierra de Guadarrama.

Admission costs 4 euros, tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance to the lighthouse.

The Círculo de Bellas Artes (Circle of Fine Arts) is one of the most important private cultural institutions in Europe. It is located at Calle de Alcalá 42 in Madrid. The building is crowned by a bronze sculpture depicting Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and art.

The roof terrace of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, known as the CBA for short, is located 56 metres above the ground. It is one of the most famous viewpoints in the city and, according to the CBA , offers one of the "best and most spectacular views of Madrid". The 360-degree panorama guarantees great photo opportunities, such as the buildings along the Gran Vía:

From the lobby of the building, an elevator leads to the top floor, where there is also a restaurant. Azotea del Círculo offers breakfast, snacks, meals, concerts and cocktails from morning to night, so you can enjoy the spectacular view of the "best skyline in the city" while having a drink.

According to the CBA, tickets with access to the roof terrace (from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and after 9 p.m.) can only be purchased at the ticket offices of the Círculo de Bellas Artes. The ticket costs 5.50 euros and allows you to visit the rooftop from Monday to Sunday and access the exhibition rooms from Tuesday to Sunday.

The Palacio de Cibeles is one of the most important buildings in Madrid. It is also known as the old Palacio de Comunicaciones (Telecommunications Palace or Cathedral of Communication). Since 2007, the magnificent building has been the seat of the Madrid city administration. In March 2007, the CentroCentro cultural center was opened in it. It offers various exhibitions, concerts - and free tours of the building and the Mirador Madrid observation deck.

According to the Tourist Office , participation in the tours is only possible with prior registration - by email to [email protected] , at the information desk (main floor) or by phone at (+34) 914 800 008). The tour of the building (60 minutes) is available in English, French and Italian, while the tour of the observation terrace (30 minutes) is available only in Spanish.

From the highest tower of the Palacio de Cibeles you can admire Madrid from above.

Source: imago images/imagebroker

If you only "understand Spanish", you can also visit the Mirador Madrid on your own for 3 euros. It is located in the main tower of the palace. Access is from the sixth floor via a staircase with 88 steps. From the top you have a 360-degree view of the city.

You'll see attractions such as Retiro Park , the intersection of Gran Via and Calle Alcalá, and you can admire the neoclassical Fuente de Cibeles fountain from above, depicting the mythical figures Hippomenes and Atalanta sitting in a chariot pulled by two lions.

The Templo de Debod is an Egyptian temple dedicated to Amun of Debod and Isis. The monument, which dates back to the second century, is located in the Cuartel de la Montañaer park. Egypt gave it to Spain in 1968 as a thank you for its help in saving the temples of Abu Simbel, the city of Madrid summarizes on its website .

The cultural site is not only an interesting historical attraction, but its location also offers a fantastic view over Madrid.

From the viewing point, which is just an eleven-minute walk from Plaza de España, you can see the cathedral and the Royal Palace, among other things. According to various Google reviews, it is most beautiful at sunset, when the special place is bathed in an orange light and the city lights are switched on.

This park in the Vallecas district is a little off the beaten track. The green space in the south of Madrid is a popular place among locals. The park is popularly known as "de las siete tetas" due to the shape of its seven hills. It is said that the Cerro del Tío Pío offers the best view of Madrid.

Especially at sunset, the Siete Tetas Park, which can still be considered an insider tip, is a quiet place with a spectacular view.

Looking for more inspiration? You can find tips for all the top travel destinations at reisereporter, and the best travel offers on our deals page .

travel reporter