Right in the heart of Madrid, Plaza de Colón is one of those stops well worth including in any visit to the capital. Here, history, culture, major avenues, shopping areas and some of the most recognisable buildings in contemporary Madrid all come together.
You can get there easily with Route 2: Modern Madrid or Route 3: Current Madrid of Madrid City Tour. Thanks to the hop-on hop-off service, you can get off, explore the area at your own pace and hop back on whenever you are ready to continue discovering the city.
What is Plaza de Colón?
Plaza de Colón is one of the largest open spaces in central Madrid and takes its name from Christopher Columbus, whose figure is the focus of one of the square’s best-known monuments.
The Monument to Christopher Columbus stands out for its white marble statue, set on a tall neo-Gothic pedestal decorated with reliefs. Nearby, you will find the Gardens of Discovery, a pleasant place to stop for a few minutes during your visit, as well as the Monument to the Discovery of America, made up of large sculptural pieces.
Another feature that immediately catches the eye is the enormous Spanish flag flying over the square. Together, these elements make Colón an easily recognisable landmark and a frequent setting for public celebrations and official events in Madrid.
Where is Plaza de Colón?
Plaza de Colón enjoys a privileged location at the beginning of Paseo de la Castellana, very close to Paseo de Recoletos. Well-known streets such as Serrano, Goya street and Génova also meet around the square, making it easy to continue exploring Madrid in different directions.
The Madrid City Tour stop is located at Paseo de la Castellana, 2. From here, you can start a walk along the Golden Mile in the Salamanca district, visit nearby museums or continue on foot towards landmarks such as Puerta de Alcalá and El Retiro Park.
How to get to Plaza de Colón?
A comfortable way to reach the square while continuing to enjoy Madrid is to take Route 2: Modern Madrid of Madrid City Tour.
From the bus, you can admire the square and its surroundings from a different perspective while using the audio guide available in 10 languages to learn more about the sights along the route. Other onboard services include free WiFi and USB chargers.
With buses running approximately every 35 minutes, you will have plenty of time to explore the area before hopping back on.
What to see near Plaza de Colón?
Colón is also an excellent starting point for discovering several interesting places on foot. Culture, shopping, architecture and green spaces are all within easy reach of this stop.
- National Archaeological Museum (MAN): located next to the square, it takes visitors through centuries of history with an extensive collection that includes the famous Lady of Elche.
- National Library of Spain: housed in the impressive neoclassical building next to the museum, it preserves one of the country’s most important documentary collections.
- Torres de Colón: part of the square’s distinctive skyline and one of the most recognisable buildings in this area of Madrid.
- Puerta de Alcalá and El Retiro Park: both are just a short walk away, allowing you to combine a visit to one of Madrid’s great monuments with a stroll through the park.
- Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa: located beneath the Gardens of Discovery, it hosts theatre, exhibitions and other cultural activities throughout the year.
- Calle Serrano: if you feel like shopping, Colón is a great place to start exploring one of the main shopping streets in the Salamanca district.
Frequently asked questions
What is the giant head in Plaza de Colón?
The large head that catches the attention of many visitors is “Julia”, a sculpture by artist Jaume Plensa depicting the face of a young woman with her eyes closed. Its calm expression creates a striking contrast with the movement of cars, pedestrians and buildings around the square. It has become one of Colón’s most photographed features and an easily recognisable image for visitors exploring this part of Madrid.
Why is it called Plaza de Colón?
The square is named after Christopher Columbus, the central figure of the monument located in one of its main areas. The Gardens of Discovery and other sculptures nearby also maintain this connection with the voyages and historical events associated with America.
Is Plaza de Colón worth visiting?
Yes, especially because of its location. In addition to exploring the square and its monuments, you can easily reach the National Archaeological Museum, the Salamanca district, Puerta de Alcalá, El Retiro Park or Paseo de Recoletos from here. This makes it a very convenient stop for continuing to discover different areas of Madrid.
