🗺️ What to see at Plaza de Cibeles: hours, tickets and how to get there

Plaza de Cibeles is right in the center of Madrid. It lies between Paseo del Prado, Paseo de Recoletos and Calle de Alcalá, at the start of Gran Vía. In the middle of the roundabout stands a fountain with the goddess Cybele, and four historic palaces line its perimeter. The white building with a clock on the north side houses the city hall.

We have broken the square down piece by piece: its history, each of the four palaces, tickets and opening hours, and how to get there by metro and bus. We rechecked prices and times in September 2026 on official websites. Below you will find practical information, not a guidebook retelling.

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History of Plaza de Cibeles

💡 In short:

The first buildings on the site of the square appeared under King Philip II, and it took on its ceremonial look in the 18th century under Charles III.
The Cybele Fountain opened in 1782 and was moved to its current spot in the center of the square in the late 19th century.
Opening hours, tickets and tours of the palaces: 09/2026, checked on the official Casa de América website.

The city around Madrid was built up under King Philip II of the Habsburg dynasty (1556-1598). The appearance of the square named Plaza de Cibeles is dated to 1570. Construction continued in the 18th century under Charles III: the area was expanded and new buildings were erected. Today the square has the shape of an almost perfect circle, framed by palaces along its perimeter.

Aerial view of Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid

Originally this was a business spot rather than a ceremonial one. Banks and offices operated here, contracts were signed and financial transactions were carried out. City residents came here for news and to meet acquaintances. Even the main fountain initially served a practical purpose: it supplied the city with clean water.

Sights of Plaza de Cibeles

The square rests on four buildings and one fountain. Around the circle stand the Buenavista Palace, the Bank of Spain, the Cibeles Palace and the Linares Palace. You can photograph all the facades from a single point, simply by walking around the intersection.

The Bank of Spain building was constructed in the late 19th century. In the 20th century it was expanded, with stained glass and a glass dome added. The facade is decorated with portals featuring stucco work and arched galleries. According to a city legend, an underground passage leads from the bank to a secret vault that is flooded with water from the fountain in case of danger. The bank is closed to tourists; you cannot go inside.

Cibeles Palace

Facade of the Cybele Palace with its tower in Madrid

Cibeles Palace (Palacio de Cibeles) was built in the early 20th century as the main post office. The project was prepared by architects Joaquín Otamendi and Antonio Palacios. You will immediately recognize the building by its white towers and the round clock above the entrance.

The name Cibeles became attached to the building only when it was handed over to the Madrid city government. Later the palace underwent a major renovation, and the interior spaces were divided into several departments. Today the city administration and the CentroCentro cultural center operate here.

CentroCentro is free to enter: its permanent and temporary exhibitions are devoted to urbanism and Madrid itself. Inside there is a library, a lounge area and a restaurant. The inner courtyard, where postal vehicles once stood, has been covered with a glass roof, and it now hosts concerts and fairs. The Mirador Madrid observation deck at a height of 60 meters leads to the roof: from there you can see Gran Vía and the entire center.

Cybele Fountain

Cibeles Fountain with chariot and lions in Madrid

The Cybele Fountain (Fuente de Cibeles) is the main symbol of the square. At the center of the composition sits the goddess Cybele, patroness of agriculture and fertility. She drives a chariot pulled by two lions.

According to myth, Aphrodite turned Hippomenes and Atalanta into these lions for disrespecting the gods. Thus they were forever given the duty of pulling the goddess's chariot.

The fountain was designed by architect Ventura Rodríguez in 1777, commissioned by Charles III. The sculpture of the goddess and the chariot was made by Francisco Gutiérrez, the lions were carved by Roberto Michel, and the overall design was done by Miguel Jiménez. The fountain opened in 1782 (as of 09/2026, Spanish Wikipedia). Madrid residents nicknamed the goddess "the eternal bride."

A football story is also tied to the fountain. After Real Madrid matches, fans gathered here, sang, danced and bathed in the fountain. Once they damaged the statue of the goddess and tore off her arm. After that, police began guarding the monument and keep people from getting close to it.

Linares Palace

The Palacio de Linares was built in the neo-baroque style at the end of the 19th century. The Marquis de Linares bought the plot in the early 1870s, and construction began in 1877. The architects Carlos Colubi, Adolph Ombrecht, and Manuel Aníbal Álvarez worked on the project.

The palace was first occupied in 1884, but the finishing work was only completed by 1900 (according to the Madrid Tourist Office). The basement housed the kitchen, storerooms, and servants' quarters. Above that were the state rooms, library, smoking room, music salon, and bedrooms. The walls were decorated with tapestries from the royal manufactory, Chinese silk, porcelain, and paintings by well-known artists.

After the marquis's death, the palace passed by inheritance to the Countess of Villapadierna. During the Civil War the building was badly damaged and was slated for demolition. In 1976 it was declared a historic monument, and by 1992 it had been fully restored. Today it houses the Casa de América cultural center, along with a museum and art gallery.

You can only go inside on a guided tour: Friday, two sessions at 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM; Saturday and Sunday, three sessions at 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 1:00 PM. A ticket costs €10, reduced €7, card payment only (as of 09/2026, casamerica.es).

Palacio de Buenavista

Panorama of tiled roofs in central Madrid

The Palacio de Buenavista was built in 1777 by the architect Juan Pedro Arnal for the Duchess of Alba, who is considered Francisco Goya's muse. The brown-toned building is surrounded by French-style gardens and an elegant metal fence. Today it houses the Supreme Command of the Spanish Armed Forces, so tourists are not allowed inside. You can only view the facade and the garden through the railing.

Tickets and opening hours

Plaza de Cibeles is open around the clock, and entry to the square is free. You only pay for individual attractions around it. Hours and prices were checked in 09/2026 on the official website.

At CentroCentro, exhibitions are free, and the ticket office is open during daytime hours with a break. The climb to the Mirador Madrid observation deck and the Palacio de Linares tour are ticketed separately.

If you plan to visit nearby museums, compare ticket options in advance: in high season, the line for the Prado stretches down the street.

Tours and tickets in Madrid

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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How to get to Plaza de Cibeles

Puerta del Sol with the glass station entrance

The square is in central Madrid, between Paseo del Prado, Paseo de Recoletos, and Calle de Alcalá. The easiest way is by metro: Banco de España station on line 2 opens directly onto the square. By bus, get off at the Plaza de Cibeles stop, served by routes 1, 2, 14, 27, and 146.

From Puerta del Sol to the square is about 1 km, a 12-15 minute walk along Calle de Alcalá (according to the map). From Atocha station you can walk there in 20 minutes along Paseo del Prado. Go on a weekend morning: by midday the intersection is crowded with cars and tourists.

Plaza de Cibeles on the map

Below is a map of the square. Click on it to get directions to the palace you want.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Do you have to pay to enter Plaza de Cibeles?

No, the square is open 24 hours a day and free of charge. You only pay to go up to the Mirador Madrid viewing platform and for a tour of Palacio de Linares. You can see the fountain and the palaces from outside without a ticket.

What is in Palacio de Cibeles today?

The building houses Madrid City Hall and the CentroCentro cultural center with free exhibitions. A viewing platform at a height of 60 meters takes you to the top.

Can you go inside Palacio de Linares?

Yes, but only on a guided tour and on a schedule. Tours run on Fridays at 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM, on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. Tickets cost €10, or €7 for children under 16 and seniors, payable by card (as of 09/2026, casamerica.es).

Why is the fountain called the "eternal bride"?

That is the nickname Madrid locals gave to the goddess Cybele. It is a local nickname, not an official name.

How to get to Plaza de Cibeles by metro?

The nearest station is called Banco de España, on line 2, and the exit leads straight to the intersection. Buses 1, 2, 14, 27 and 146 stop nearby. From Atocha station you can walk there in about 20 minutes along Paseo del Prado.

In short: what to book

You can see Plaza de Cibeles for free at any time. You only need a ticket for the Mirador Madrid viewing platform and for a tour of Palacio de Linares.

If you have one day in Madrid, make the square your first stop: from here you can walk to the Prado and Puerta del Sol. If you have two days, add an evening visit to the viewing platform and stop by an exhibition at CentroCentro.

If you want a view of the city: get a ticket for the Mirador Madrid viewing platform.
If you are interested in palace interiors: book a tour of Palacio de Linares.
If you are looking for a place to stay: see hotels in Madrid on Trip.com.

Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid: the Cybele fountain and four palaces