Plaza de la Villa
Plaza de la Villa
4
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Top ways to experience Plaza de la Villa
The area
Neighbourhood: Austrias
How to get there
- Ópera • 5 min walk
- La Latina • 7 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
8,956 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,354 within 10 kms
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4.0
622 reviews
Excellent
229
Very good
297
Average
92
Poor
4
Terrible
0
Kelleygirl2
Sarasota, FL6,302 contributions
Oct 2019
Just off the Calle Mayor we discovered the historic and unspoiled little Plaza de la Villa boasting the statue of Spanish noble Don Al Varo De Bazan renowned as the finest Admiral in Spanish maritime history in part because he protected the treasure ships that brought gold and silver from the New World. I later learned that Don Miguel Cervantes (Don Quixote) lost his left hand as he fought alongside Bazan in the battle of El Manco de Lepanto. Thankfully he wrote with his right hand!
Written 14 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,166 contributions
Feb 2020
If you have several days in Madrid and have time to explore beyond the main tourist sights, then this is an interesting diversion. If you are walking between Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace, the plaza is in between the two and is an interesting diversion.
It is one of the oldest squares in Madrid and is surrounded by 3 historic buildings. Curiously, each of the buildings was used to imprison people for one reason or another. There is a small central garden and monumental statue and the Convent of Carboneras Corpus Christi (where the nuns still make and sell traditional biscuits) is just around the corner. Altogether, there is enough to make it a worthwhile stop if you are in the area.
The main features in the plaza are:
1. Tower of the Lujanes (1400s) is the oldest civil building in Madrid and a rare surviving example of a palace-house. There is a story that the French king was imprisoned in this tower in 1525. When he was paraded down the street as a prisoner of war, the local people (much to the annoyance of authorities) were more impressed by the finery of his fashionable clothing than they were by his capture.
2. The Casa de Cisneros (1537) is the one behind the statue with a granite arch and a main balcony overlooking the square. Originally this was the back of the house where you accessed the stables and corrals. In 1590, Phillip II’s secretary, Antonio Perez was imprisoned here under house arrest after his involvement in a messy political assassination. He fled to France in the end to escape the king.
3. Casa de la Villa (1692) is the grandest looking building with the flags and was the city hall for over 300 years, right up until 2007. It also functioned as a prison for some of that time.
4. The central 3m tall statue is Alvaro de Bazan (1888). The name was completely unfamiliar to me but in the 1500s he was legendary as Spain’s most famous admiral who didn’t lose a battle in over 50 years.
It is one of the oldest squares in Madrid and is surrounded by 3 historic buildings. Curiously, each of the buildings was used to imprison people for one reason or another. There is a small central garden and monumental statue and the Convent of Carboneras Corpus Christi (where the nuns still make and sell traditional biscuits) is just around the corner. Altogether, there is enough to make it a worthwhile stop if you are in the area.
The main features in the plaza are:
1. Tower of the Lujanes (1400s) is the oldest civil building in Madrid and a rare surviving example of a palace-house. There is a story that the French king was imprisoned in this tower in 1525. When he was paraded down the street as a prisoner of war, the local people (much to the annoyance of authorities) were more impressed by the finery of his fashionable clothing than they were by his capture.
2. The Casa de Cisneros (1537) is the one behind the statue with a granite arch and a main balcony overlooking the square. Originally this was the back of the house where you accessed the stables and corrals. In 1590, Phillip II’s secretary, Antonio Perez was imprisoned here under house arrest after his involvement in a messy political assassination. He fled to France in the end to escape the king.
3. Casa de la Villa (1692) is the grandest looking building with the flags and was the city hall for over 300 years, right up until 2007. It also functioned as a prison for some of that time.
4. The central 3m tall statue is Alvaro de Bazan (1888). The name was completely unfamiliar to me but in the 1500s he was legendary as Spain’s most famous admiral who didn’t lose a battle in over 50 years.
Written 26 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
j l
New York City, NY2,140 contributions
Dec 2016 • Solo
My tour guide took me there. She was saying this is her favorite plaza in Madrid and most beautiful. There are some gov buildings and historical buildings as well. It was OK for me.
Written 23 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rumples
Tucson, AZ11,708 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
No shops, museums or restaurants drew me in to this small, three-sided pedestrian plaza by Calle Mayor. Instead, the beauty of the place stopped me in my tracks en route to the royal palace. As an architecture buff, I found the contrasting building styles appealing.and the lack of visitors during a busy tourist season a bonus.
The three major buildings on this plaza are the former town hall, built of granite in 1696; a castle that went up in 1537; and the Lujanes Tower, which dates back to the 15th century and is one of the oldest buildings in Madrid. The town hall shows off a Habsburg style baroque and was the seat of the city government from the Middle Ages until 2007. The castle's style is plateresque, while the Mudejar tower provides the third style. A statue near the rear of the plaza depicts Alvaro de Bazan, an admiral and hero in the Spanish Navy during the late 1500s.
I think the eclectic mix of architecture works well here and that the plaza is well worth a short stop to look at the details of its main components.
The three major buildings on this plaza are the former town hall, built of granite in 1696; a castle that went up in 1537; and the Lujanes Tower, which dates back to the 15th century and is one of the oldest buildings in Madrid. The town hall shows off a Habsburg style baroque and was the seat of the city government from the Middle Ages until 2007. The castle's style is plateresque, while the Mudejar tower provides the third style. A statue near the rear of the plaza depicts Alvaro de Bazan, an admiral and hero in the Spanish Navy during the late 1500s.
I think the eclectic mix of architecture works well here and that the plaza is well worth a short stop to look at the details of its main components.
Written 2 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheShis
Tel Aviv, Israel42,752 contributions
Jan 2023
This is a lovely little square, not too far from Mayor square.
The city hall building is lovely, as is the small garden and statue in its middle.
The city hall building is lovely, as is the small garden and statue in its middle.
Written 13 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelcooking
London, UK3,698 contributions
May 2016
Probably the most neglected square in Madrid, but still beautiful. Located halfway between the Royal Palace and the Plaza Mayor, where you will come across this lovely square. It seems almost by chance that you got here. You can’t help but be fascinated. My advice is to come here and to learn about all the history that hides.
Written 19 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan L
London, UK59 contributions
Aug 2016
Wandering through the streets of Madrid it is always a pleasure to come across an area of surprise. Walking along the Calle Mayor I stumbled across the Plaza de la Villa.
This square – the Plaza de la Villa - is situated in the older part of Madrid and regarded as one of the prettiest squares. Small in size, it is enclosed on three sides by beautiful baroque-style buildings. These buildings originally housed Madrid’s city government until it moved to the Palacio de Comunicaciones on Plaza de la Cibeles. The Casa de Villa building in the Plaza de la Villa - with its balcony and flags standing proud - also used to serve as Madrid’s town hall.
Despite being several minutes’ walk from Plaza Mayor this is a simple, clean and peaceful square. There are no cafes, bars or restaurants, just a pedestrianized square with an air of serenity.
A statue of the Spanish naval commander Don Alvaro de Bazán stands in the centre of the square and there are several historic plaques mounted on the walls, including one which tells that this was the birthplace of the Madrileño composer Chueca.
I would certainly recommend you take some time to visit this square during a stay in Madrid.
This square – the Plaza de la Villa - is situated in the older part of Madrid and regarded as one of the prettiest squares. Small in size, it is enclosed on three sides by beautiful baroque-style buildings. These buildings originally housed Madrid’s city government until it moved to the Palacio de Comunicaciones on Plaza de la Cibeles. The Casa de Villa building in the Plaza de la Villa - with its balcony and flags standing proud - also used to serve as Madrid’s town hall.
Despite being several minutes’ walk from Plaza Mayor this is a simple, clean and peaceful square. There are no cafes, bars or restaurants, just a pedestrianized square with an air of serenity.
A statue of the Spanish naval commander Don Alvaro de Bazán stands in the centre of the square and there are several historic plaques mounted on the walls, including one which tells that this was the birthplace of the Madrileño composer Chueca.
I would certainly recommend you take some time to visit this square during a stay in Madrid.
Written 16 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ogi0
Sofia, Bulgaria22,826 contributions
May 2021
Between the Royal Palace and the Plaza Mayor is nestled this small historic square. I think it was reconstructed soon and here are some of the oldest buildings in Madrid. He definitely deserves to stop by to see it.
Written 13 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ulrikljungberg
Madrid, Spain88 contributions
Nov 2019
Plaza de la Villa is one of the most beautiful squares in Madrid. It’s very centrally located next to Mercado de San Miguel and more or less between Plaza Mayor and the Palace. It’s Madrid’s oldest square and the buildings surrounding it are all very nice. I like walking off it on the small little beautiful Calle del Codo.
Written 2 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NXTTRP
St. Petersburg, FL2,474 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
As the concierge of your hotel to draw a walking route for you and you will likely stroll through this delightful plaza. Reflecting all the best of Madrid, this corner incorporates history, architecture, beauty and cleanliness into one small plaza.
Written 6 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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