Plaza de las Cortes
Plaza de las Cortes
3.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Plaza de las Cortes
The area
Neighbourhood: Cortes
How to get there
- Sevilla • 5 min walk
- Banco de España • 5 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
9,504 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,511 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
3.5
77 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
20
Average
39
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,643 contributions
Feb 2020
A photogenic plaza, surrounded by attractive buildings like the Congreso de los Diputados (Parliament) and Palace Hotel. If you’re here at the right time, there is a carillon clock on the Plus Ultra building and its 5 little fun figures appear on the chimes. They include King Carlos III, Goya, a bullfighter, a local maja woman and the Duchess of Alba. Our timing wasn't right and we missed it but it takes place several times a day.
The 1835 bronze statue on the large central pedestal is of Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. He is looking dapper, wearing the elaborate breeches, cape and ruff of his day and has a jaunty stance, leaning on his sword and clutching a roll of papers. The pedestal has two reliefs of scenes from Don Quixote.
Incredibly, a surprise box was found under the statue when the plaza was being renovated in 2009. On moving the statue, a 170 year old time capsule lead box was revealed. Inside were coins, medals, several volumes of “Don Quixote” from 1819 and other legislative text and manuscripts.
The 1835 bronze statue on the large central pedestal is of Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. He is looking dapper, wearing the elaborate breeches, cape and ruff of his day and has a jaunty stance, leaning on his sword and clutching a roll of papers. The pedestal has two reliefs of scenes from Don Quixote.
Incredibly, a surprise box was found under the statue when the plaza was being renovated in 2009. On moving the statue, a 170 year old time capsule lead box was revealed. Inside were coins, medals, several volumes of “Don Quixote” from 1819 and other legislative text and manuscripts.
Written 17 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.
AvidTraveler12
Winchester, UK1,829 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
This plaza is dull and is merely somewhere you walk through to get somewhere else.
However on the hour and every hour, you look up and a chiming clock with numerous figurines appears together with 18 bells and the sounds are magnificent. Traffic stops and everyone watches the figurines and listens to the sound of the bells.
However on the hour and every hour, you look up and a chiming clock with numerous figurines appears together with 18 bells and the sounds are magnificent. Traffic stops and everyone watches the figurines and listens to the sound of the bells.
Written 27 December 2014
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, AZ11,756 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
With all the really charming plazas in Madrid, I would rank this rather meh one even lower except for the statue of Cervantes that stands here and the stunning building that houses the Congreso de los Deputados across the street. Armed police at one end of the square raised my interest level a bit when I first walked by, heading to the nearby Prado Museum, until I realized they were standing watch over the government building.
This concrete plaza sprawled just two blocks away from my hotel, so I returned at 6 one night to look at building #8 here, where a brief show on the balcony beneath the chiming clock was supposed to occur. This features recorded bell music and moving mechanical figures. I heard the music but saw no figures. I returned at another time listed for this happening and the same thing occurred. Based on my experience, I would recommend against making a special trip here, because the show doesn't appear to be a sure thing.
This concrete plaza sprawled just two blocks away from my hotel, so I returned at 6 one night to look at building #8 here, where a brief show on the balcony beneath the chiming clock was supposed to occur. This features recorded bell music and moving mechanical figures. I heard the music but saw no figures. I returned at another time listed for this happening and the same thing occurred. Based on my experience, I would recommend against making a special trip here, because the show doesn't appear to be a sure thing.
Written 29 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.
Jack
Old Bethpage, NY3,384 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The Plaza de las Cortes in Madrid is home to be iconic statue of Miguel de Cervantes and is surrounded by the Congreso de los Diputados.
Written 27 June 2024
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.
Neil K
Liverpool, UK828,871 contributions
Sept 2019 • Friends
In a city justifiably famous for its plaza's, Plaza De Las Cortes is a beautiful plaza ,not as touristic as Plaza Mayor, not as packed as Puerta Del Sol but in it's own understated way it's just as magnificent.
The centre of the plaza is home to the monument to Cervantes, a great statue, the plaza is surrounded by grand architecture, theres some great looking hotel buildings here ,the magnificent Congreso De Los Diputados ( House Of Parliament ) which is a truly stunning building, at night when illuminated this plaza looks magical .
Plaza De Las Cortes is so good to visit, it's in an area of outstandingly beautiful architecture including all the great architecture along Paseo Del Prado, a wonderful plaza,most definitely well worth checking out if your planning a holiday to Madrid.
The centre of the plaza is home to the monument to Cervantes, a great statue, the plaza is surrounded by grand architecture, theres some great looking hotel buildings here ,the magnificent Congreso De Los Diputados ( House Of Parliament ) which is a truly stunning building, at night when illuminated this plaza looks magical .
Plaza De Las Cortes is so good to visit, it's in an area of outstandingly beautiful architecture including all the great architecture along Paseo Del Prado, a wonderful plaza,most definitely well worth checking out if your planning a holiday to Madrid.
Written 6 September 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.
Ccari01
New Jersey2,245 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
This may not be a very popular square in Madrid,but it was beautiful in its own way. It does not have the vibrancy and excitement of Puerta Del Sol which is a few blocks away.It was close to our hotel and we enjoyed the calm square every night after dinner walking back to Calle San Agustin.I even took pictures of an awesome full moon.
Written 13 April 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.
Martin H
Bratislava, Slovakia1 contribution
Apr 2015 • Family
I visited the place a while ago and was not able to see the clock due to lack of information.
So that it will not happen to other people, here are the times, at which you can see the clock playing:
12h, 15h, 18h and 20h.
The times are written on the building on the square where the clock is located.
So that it will not happen to other people, here are the times, at which you can see the clock playing:
12h, 15h, 18h and 20h.
The times are written on the building on the square where the clock is located.
Written 20 April 2015
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.
Alison M
Maryland659 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
If you are passing through this plaza at the noon hour you'll want to look up to see the chiming clock designed by the cartoonist Antonio Mingote Barrachina (1919-2012). 5 figures (Goyesque inspired) dance at the sound of the 18 bells. The figures represent: The painter: Goya, Carlos III (the King), the Duchess of Alba, Pedro Romero (the bullfighter) and the Manola (feminine symbol of Madrid).
Written 17 December 2014
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.
CuriousTravelerRadio
Lancaster, PA1,499 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Madrid has so many stunning plazas that you will miss this one if you blink. Don't be alarmed if you see lots of armed police officers because of the government buildings in the area.
Written 6 August 2014
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.
Gooner10-8
Dublin, Ireland1,956 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
It's probably pushing it a bit to call this a "plaza" - it's a dull, small concrete area opposite the "Congreso de los Diputados" (the "Cortes") on the junction of Calle del Prado with Carrera de San Jeronimo - but its distinction is the presence of a statue of one of Spain's most renowned heroes, Miguel de Cervantes.
Cervantes - born 1547, died 1616 - was a novelist, poet & playwright, best known to most of us as the author of the highly acclaimed novel "Don Quixote", which has been translated into most world languages. Indeed, this famous work is regarded by many as the first modern European novel, and one of the best pieces of fiction ever written. He had a huge influence on the Spanish language, such that it is sometimes referred to as "the language of Cervantes" - high praise indeed!
The name of this somewhat enigmatic figure - there is no authenticated image of him - lives-on to-day, not just because of his famous novel, but also due to its application to overseas institutes specialising in the study of Spanish culture and language.
It must have taken a bit of imagination to create the statue that now stands in the Plaza de las Cortes, but it's still worth stopping-by to view it, and remember a man who's regarded as one of Spain's greatest sons...
Cervantes - born 1547, died 1616 - was a novelist, poet & playwright, best known to most of us as the author of the highly acclaimed novel "Don Quixote", which has been translated into most world languages. Indeed, this famous work is regarded by many as the first modern European novel, and one of the best pieces of fiction ever written. He had a huge influence on the Spanish language, such that it is sometimes referred to as "the language of Cervantes" - high praise indeed!
The name of this somewhat enigmatic figure - there is no authenticated image of him - lives-on to-day, not just because of his famous novel, but also due to its application to overseas institutes specialising in the study of Spanish culture and language.
It must have taken a bit of imagination to create the statue that now stands in the Plaza de las Cortes, but it's still worth stopping-by to view it, and remember a man who's regarded as one of Spain's greatest sons...
Written 4 June 2014
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.
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing