The best places to watch the sunset in Madrid
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You can’t beat a good sunset, and the golden hour is when Madrid really starts to come alive. The city becomes blanketed in an amber hue, madrileños begin populating terraces, rooftop bars and outdoor hangouts to begin their evening festivities, and some of Madrid’s most iconic settings take on a whole new light as dusk sets in.
If you’re a photographer, or even an Instagrammer who thinks they’re a photographer, you’ll be well aware of the magic of sunset. And there’s no better time to get a pic of Madrid than as the sun goes down.
Want to watch the sunset in Madrid? Need to know where to be to get the best pics for the ‘gram?
See for yourself in this handy video guide:
Top spots to watch the sunset
Puente de Segovia
As the sun begins to drop, start your ‘tour’ by crossing the Manzanares river on the Puente de Segovia before walking up to the Catedral de la Almudena. But before you do that, stop for a moment and soak up the views from this 16th century bridge. The oldest bridge in the Spanish capital looks beautiful at any time of day, but it’s particularly charming when bathed in the golden hues of sunset in Madrid.
Address: Puente de Segovia, S/N, 28005 Madrid, Spain Public transport: Transit lines with routes passing near the Puente De Segovia: Bus (138, 31, 36, 39); Train (C1, C10); Metro (M-6)
Catedral de la Almudena
You’ll spot this grand cathedral quite easily as you cross the Puente de Segovia, and its elevated hilltop position means one thing: cracking views. Day or night, Madrid looks breathtaking from up here, especially when you climb up to the dome of the cathedral. Entry to the cathedral museum costs just 6€ including access to the dome, which sadly isn’t open at sunset. Worry not, because the views of the city are still stunning at ground level.
Address: Calle de Bailén, 10, 28013 Madrid, Spain Public transport: Transit lines with routes passing near the Catedral De La Almudena: Bus (148, 3); Train (C3, C4); Metro (M-5)
Royal Palace of Madrid
About 200m from the Catedral de la Almudena is the Royal Palace of Madrid. The history of Madrid runs through this Royal Palace, home to every Spanish King from Charles III in 1764 through to Alfonso XIII in 1931. That’s a lot of royalty, and these days it attracts a lot of tourists – partly due to its rich history and stunning architecture, but also because this palace occupies another hilltop and is one of the best sunset spots in Madrid.
If you get here a little earlier – and we recommend you do – you can explore the extensive palace grounds (oh, and some of its 3,000 rooms) for the reasonable price of 13€, with audio guides available for an extra 3€. The nearby Teatro Real opera house and gardens are also worth a visit, and rather conveniently, you’ll walk past them should you choose to approach from Opera station.
Address: Calle de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid, Spain Public transport: Transit lines with routes passing near the Royal Palace of Madrid: Bus (3, 25, 39, 148); Commuter train (Principe Pio station); Metro (Opera station, lines 5 and 2)
Sabatini Gardens
Further on up the Calle de Balien are the Sabatini Gardens. Part of the Royal Palace grounds, these gardens look magnificent at any time, but are truly spectacular at dusk. It’s also one of the most romantic spots to catch the sunset in Madrid, so if you’re in the city with someone special… you now know where to take them.
Address: Calle de Bailén, 2, 28013 Madrid, Spain Public transport: Transit lines with routes passing near the Sabatini Gardens: Bus (1, 138, 2, 39, 46); Train (C1, C10); Metro (M-10, M-2)
Temple of Debod
Madrid’s “Egyptian jewel” is one of the city’s more popular tourist attractions by day, but draws far smaller crowds as nightfall approaches. The Temple of Debod is an authentic, 2000+ years old, Egyptian temple, and the last stop on our ‘tour’, but we recommend you get here before sunset to access the interior of the temple (it closes before dark.) Then, when you’re ready to move on, head to the hill and watch the sun set on your new favourite city.
Address: Calle de Ferraz, 1, 28008 Madrid, Spain Public transport: Transit lines with routes passing near the Templo of Debod: Bus (62, 74); Train (C7); Metro (M-10)
But these aren’t the only places to soak up the last of the sun. There are many rooftop spots to watch the sunset in Madrid, but not many to match the rooftop bar of the Hotel ME Madrid, known to madrileños as simply ‘The Roof’. Not staying at one of Madrid’s swankiest hotels? No problem. Visitors too are welcome to enjoy an evening of sunset-watching and cocktail-sipping.
Oscar’s Terrace is another hotel bar non-guests can visit– this time at the Room Mate Oscar Madrid hotel, located in the trendy Chueca district. Pull up a chaise lounge and enjoy a few cocktails or cervezas (or both) at sundown. The Circulo de Bellas Artes terrace has become so popular you’ll need to pay a small fee to get in, but the views and vibe make it the best 4€ you’re ever likely to spend.
If you fancy watching the sunset in a more natural setting, you can’t go wrong with the Cerro del Tio Pio Park. It might be a bit of a trek from the centre of town, but this park offers up some of the best views of Madrid as daylight starts to fade from the sky.
Anymore insights for Madrid?
If you want to squeeze even more out of your holiday in Madrid, take a look at some of the best places to get your tapas fix . Looking for more Madrid attractions? Have a read of our guide to the city’s beloved El Retiro park or our breakdown of the famous Gran Via and its surrounding neighbourhoods.
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