Plaza de Colón in Madrid is dedicated to Christopher Columbus and the discovery of America. Hop on our sightseeing bus and explore one of the most representative areas of modern Madrid.
This well-known square combines monuments, gardens, cultural spaces and some of the capital’s most recognisable buildings.
What is Plaza de Colón?
Plaza de Colón is one of the main open spaces in central Madrid and an important connecting point between the districts of Justicia, Chamberí and Salamanca. Some of the city’s best-known streets and avenues converge here, including Calle Serrano, Calle Goya and Calle Génova, as well as Paseo de Recoletos and Paseo de la Castellana.
Its most representative feature is the Monument to Christopher Columbus, a white marble sculpture standing on a tall Neo-Gothic pedestal. The square is also home to the Gardens of Discovery, several sculptures dedicated to the discovery of America and one of the largest Spanish flags in the city.
What is the history of Plaza de Colón?
Plaza de Colón developed around the monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus, built between 1881 and 1885. The area was later transformed with the opening of the Gardens of Discovery in 1970 and the Monument to the Discovery of America in 1977. Following another renovation in 2008, the statue of Columbus returned to the centre of the roundabout, and the square became an established venue for institutional ceremonies, cultural events and public gatherings.
How can you get to Plaza de Colón?
Are you looking for the best way to reach Plaza de Colón in Madrid? Then you should try our sightseeing bus. With Madrid City Tour, you can hop on at any stop along Route 2: Modern Madrid and explore the city until you reach the Plaza de Colón stop, located at Paseo de la Castellana, 2.
Another convenient way to get there—although not quite as panoramic—is to take Metro line 4 and get off at Colón station, located next to the square.
What can you see in Plaza de Colón?
Plaza de Colón is close to some of Madrid’s most important monuments, museums and cultural spaces. From this stop, you can see the monument that gives the square its name and easily reach several of the capital’s must-see attractions.
- El Retiro Park: El Retiro Park is one of Madrid’s most iconic green spaces. From Plaza de Colón, you can walk to the entrances near Puerta de Alcalá and enjoy its gardens, the Great Pond, the Crystal Palace and its wide, tree-lined avenues.
- National Archaeological Museum: Located next to Plaza de Colón, the National Archaeological Museum offers a journey through the history of Spain, from Prehistory to the Modern Age. Its most notable pieces include the Lady of Elche, the Treasure of Guarrazar and an extensive collection of objects from Egyptian, Greek and Roman cultures.
- Puerta de Alcalá: Puerta de Alcalá is just a few minutes’ walk from Plaza de Colón. Built during the reign of Charles III, it is one of Madrid’s most representative monuments and marks one of the main entrances to El Retiro Park.
- National Library of Spain: The National Library of Spain occupies an imposing Neoclassical building on Paseo de Recoletos, next to the square. In addition to preserving a fundamental part of Spain’s bibliographic and documentary heritage, it organises exhibitions and activities that provide an insight into some of its historic collections.
- Monument to Christopher Columbus: The Monument to Christopher Columbus is the main symbol of the square. It consists of a white marble statue of the explorer standing on a tall Neo-Gothic pedestal decorated with reliefs related to his voyages and the discovery of America.
Frequently asked questions
What building is located in Plaza de Colón?
One of the most distinctive buildings in Plaza de Colón is the Torres de Colón, located next to Paseo de la Castellana. The surrounding area is also home to the National Library of Spain, the National Archaeological Museum and the Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa.
How much does it cost to ice-skate in Plaza de Colón?
The ice rink in Plaza de Colón is a temporary installation that usually operates during the Christmas season, so the price may vary each year.
