These are the best viewpoints in Madrid

If you want a view of Madrid from above, you're spoiled for choice: Many viewpoints offer spectacular views of the Spanish capital. Some spots can be easily combined with a visit to the most beautiful attractions.

Whether from certain plazas, parks, monuments, or even from a lighthouse - Madrid offers a variety of viewpoints, known as 'miradores' in Spanish, from where you can enjoy the Spanish capital from above. We present to you the most beautiful places with views in Madrid.

The Palacio Real is one of Madrid's most spectacular attractions and should not be missed on a sightseeing tour through the Spanish capital. From the cornice (Spanish: 'cornisa') of the Royal Palace, you can gaze from the Mirador de la Cornisa del Palacio Real.

The viewpoint only opened in the summer of 2021. You will find it at the Plaza de la Armería between the palace and the cathedral. You can reach the Mirador through one of the five gates that once served as passageways for the original enclosure of the palace. Access to the viewpoint is free. According to the tourism authority, it is open from Monday to Sunday, 12 PM to 10 PM.

The view extends to the peaks of the Sierra de Guadarrama. Looking out at the city, you might be surprised at how green Madrid is. You can spot the Moorish gardens and even a part of the city park La Casa de Campo. It is the largest urban park in Spain at 1535.52 hectares and hosts an amusement park and the popular Teleférico for tourists.

The Madrid Cable Car connects the Casa de Campo with the Parque del Oeste on the other side of the Manzanares River. It is currently under repair (as of March 22, 2024). Once renovations are completed, it will offer a fantastic view of the city's greenest area.

The Almudena Cathedral, along with the adjacent Royal Palace, is among Madrid's most visited landmarks. Visitors to the cathedral should not miss the spectacular view offered by the dome.

The dome reaches a height of 70 meters. From this 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 and is only allowed for visitors of the museum. The museum houses the relics of the city's patron saints: the Virgen de la Almudena and San Isidro Labrador.

Although Madrid is far from the sea, it still has a lighthouse right in the middle of the city. The Faro de Moncloa was built in 1992 when Madrid was named the 'European Capital of Culture'.

The lighthouse rises 110 meters on Avenida de la Memoria and promises an extraordinary view. A panoramic elevator takes you up 92 meters. Once you arrive, you can spot numerous tourist highlights of the city through the panoramic windows, including the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral.

Admission costs 4 Euros, and tickets can be purchased online or at the lighthouse entrance.

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

The rooftop terrace of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, abbreviated as CBA, is located at a height of 56 meters. It is one of the city's most famous viewpoints and offers, according to CBA, 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.

An elevator from the building's lobby takes you to the top floor, where a restaurant is also located. The Azotea del Círculo offers breakfast, snacks, meals, concerts, and cocktails from morning till night, allowing you to enjoy the spectacular view of the 'best skyline in the city' with a drink.

Tickets with access to the rooftop (from 2 PM to 4 PM and after 9 PM) can only be purchased at the Círculo de Bellas Artes ticket offices. The ticket costs 5.50 Euros and allows visits to the rooftop from Monday to Sunday and access to the exhibition rooms from Tuesday to Sunday.

The Palacio de Cibeles is one of Madrid's most significant buildings. It is also known as the former Palacio de Comunicaciones (Palace of Communications or Cathedral of Communications). Since 2007, this magnificent building has housed Madrid's city hall. In March 2007, the cultural center CentroCentro opened within its walls. It offers various exhibitions, concerts, and free guided tours of the building and the Mirador Madrid viewing platform.

Participation in the tours is only possible by prior registration, according to the tourist office-via email to info@centrocentro.org, at the information desk (main floor), or by phone at (+34) 914 800 008. The building tour (60 minutes) is conducted in English, French, and Italian, while the tour over the viewing terrace (30 minutes) is only in Spanish.

You can see attractions such as the Retiro Park, the intersection of Gran Via and Calle Alcalá, and admire the neoclassical fountain Fuente de Cibeles from above. It depicts the mythical figures Hippomenes and Atalanta, seated on a chariot drawn by two lions.

The Templo de Debod is an Egyptian temple dedicated to Amun of Debod and Isis. This monument from the second century stands in the Cuartel de la Montaña park. Egypt gifted it to Spain in 1968 as thanks for the help in saving the temples of Abu Simbel, as summarized by the city of Madrid on its website.

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

From the viewpoint, which is just an eleven-minute walk from the Plaza de España, you can see the cathedral, the Royal Palace, and more. According to various Google reviews, it is most beautiful at sunset when the special place is bathed in an orange light as the city lights turn on.

This park in the Vallecas district is somewhat off the tourist path. The green area in the south of Madrid is mainly a popular spot for locals. In colloquial terms, the park is 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 a hidden gem, is a peaceful spot with a spectacular view.

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