Everywhere you go in Europe, there’s a central plaza that is super jam packed full of tourists and surrounded by rip off cafes and restaurants.  You’ve got Piazza Navona in Rome, Piazza de San Marco in Venice, Praca do Comercio in Lisbon, and the Grand-Place in Brussels to name just a few.  In Madrid, you’ve got Plaza Mayor.  This massive plaza is actually in its fourth iteration as it had previously burned down three times.  It used to host executions and bullfights, and now it hosts stamp and coin exhibitions and the Christmas market. 

We walked here on our first half day in Madrid, after our arrival from our overnight flight and connection in London. It took less than 10 minutes from our hotel – the Catalonia Las Cortes. (You can read my review of our stay here!) None of us slept a wink on the plane, so we were all totally exhausted.  However, we dragged ourselves to Plaza Mayor just to see it and try to fight the jet lag.  We sat down randomly at one of the totally uninteresting cafes and ordered a few drinks and some jamon and cheese. 

Plaza Mayor is truly one of the most stunning plazas in the world, and when you are here, definitely take some time just take in the views around you.  I have resigned myself to always sit and at least have a drink and a snack at one of the cafes surrounding the central plaza in spite of the fact that they are almost all, exclusively, major tourist traps.  You just have to go into it knowing that it will be the crappiest food you will eat in the city where you are, and the most expensive drinks you will have as well.  They gouge because they can, and I feel like you just have to suck it up and do it once. On the plus side, its usually a good people watching spot, and the plazas are packed for a reason – they are all beautiful. 

Plaza Mayor has one major exception to the tourist trap rule, and that is the restaurant Los Galayos.  It has won many accolades for having good, traditional food, and we ate here during a stop on our tapas tour, which you can read about here.  It is tucked into a corner of the plaza, so you might miss it, but if you want to have a legit, not-super-touristy experience in the Plaza Mayor, definitely try this place.  

This Plaza is a “don’t miss” for anyone’s Madrid top 10, and it’s totally enjoyable to hang out here.  Just remember it will be a poor value for whatever you eat and drink, and you are paying for the experience of hanging out in one of the world’s most beautiful outdoor spaces.