Seeing Madrid from above, as with any other city, can be a great opportunity to take a break with an original view or why not, even to try to locate all the places visited during your stay!
In this guide, we’ll look at all the buildings or panoramic spots from which you can see Madrid from above, with their respective entrance fees when they’re not free.
Seeing Madrid from above: map of panoramic spots
Here’s a map to quickly locate all the panoramic spots to see Madrid from above that we talk about in this guide.
Seeing Madrid from above from the Palacio de Cibeles
Entrance: 3 euros
View height: modest
Official link with opening hours: here
The Palacio de Cibeles is the first panoramic spot on this list because there’s a good chance it’ll be the first building you’ll see upon your arrival in Madrid; this is because it’s located opposite one of the bus stops coming from the airport and near a train station (Recoletos) for the C1 train, also arriving from the airport.
If you feel like it, it could therefore be your first visit (or the last one before heading home).
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The Palacio de Cibeles houses the post office headquarters but also has some lesser-known spaces accessible to the public, like a bar and a panoramic terrace from which to see Madrid from above. Access costs 3 euros (may go up to 3.50 if purchased online). At this link you can check the updated opening hours.
The height of this panoramic spot isn’t dizzying; however, since Madrid is a city without particularly imposing buildings, the Palacio de Cibeles will offer you a good view.
Madrid from above at El Corte Inglès
Entrance: free
View height: modest
The “El Corte Inglès” shopping center located on Madrid’s Gran Via (the quintessential shopping street of the Spanish capital) is another excellent spot to see Madrid from above, and one of the most central ones, by the way.
Read also: Where it’s best to stay in Madrid
By entering the shopping center and going to the top floor, which is freely accessible, you’ll find a large bar with a panoramic terrace for an aperitif or even to eat something (but if you don’t feel like drinking or eating, you can easily go to the terrace just for the panoramic view).
Even in this case, the height isn’t very high but it’s enough for a good overview of Madrid from above. Unfortunately, the terrace’s layout won’t allow for a full 360-degree view (but you can still see one side and then the other from the various sections of the terrace) and the protective glass might cause some reflections in your photos, like in the one I took.
Madrid from the (very) top: Faro de Moncloa
Entrance: 3 euros
View height: High
Official link with opening hours: here
The Faro de Moncloa is a 92-meter high tower located a bit outside the city center, but it’s the first truly elevated one that offers a really clear view, probably the best for seeing Madrid from above.
It’s possible to go up the tower using the panoramic elevator and stay for a visit of up to 30 minutes. Tickets for access can also be purchased online and cost 4 euros.
If you don’t mind going a bit out of the center to reach the Faro de Moncloa, the view will reward your efforts. 🙂
View from Casa de Campo park
Entrance: free
View height: panoramic
Casa de Campo park would deserve its own analysis, as it’s the largest park in the city of Madrid and with its diameter of about 4km, it’s a true oasis of peace for those who want to get lost by bicycle, Segway, or even on foot, always changing paths.
That said, Casa de Campo park, with its not-perfectly-flat geography, allows you to get a view of the city of Madrid from some “hills”. Clearly, the view isn’t exactly from above but more from a distance, since we’re just west of the center.
I don’t have a specific spot to suggest within the park where you can enjoy this view (but you’ll find one on the map above 😉 ) as you’ll easily come across them while wandering through the park.
Telefèrico de Madrid
Entrance: 6 euros
View height: panoramic
If, instead, you don’t feel like walking or want to try something more exciting, still at Casa de Campo park, you can hop on the Teleférico de Madrid for 6 euros, a cable car that reaches a maximum height of 40 meters, where the view is guaranteed. 🙂
This cable car travels 2.5km over the park until it reaches the outskirts of the city center (a short distance from Templo de Debod).
You can find opening hours and details on the Telefèrico de Madrid website or on EsMadrid and some videos on youtube to get an idea of the journey. 🙂
Do you know other panoramic spots to see Madrid from above? Point them out in the comments! 🙂
Obviously, panoramic spots aren’t the only things to see in the Spanish capital. Before you leave, don’t miss the complete guide to things to visit in Madrid! 🙂
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