How To Get To The Plaza De Cibeles In Madrid

It is one of the most famous squares in the Spanish capital. Located in the heart of the city, your visit is essential.
How to get to Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid

In its center is one of the most emblematic monuments of the Spanish capital.  And around it you can see some of its most important buildings. If you want to know how to get to the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid, pay attention. We tell you that and much more. 

The Cibeles fountain

La Cibeles in Madrid
Cibeles Fountain

First of all, it is important to talk about the monument that gives its name to this well-known Madrid square. It is a magnificent fountain that shows the goddess Cibeles in a chariot drawn by two lions that represent other gods of mythology: Melaion and Atalanta. In his hands he carries a scepter and a key.

This gem was built in the 17th century. The idea of ​​doing it came from Carlos III, who after his stay in Italy was deceived by a new and powerful movement: the Enlightenment.

This movement, among other aspects, promoted political, artistic and ideological changes in order to revise the canons of Greek and Roman mythology. For this reason,  the font follows the style of the time, Neoclassicism.

The king would entrust Ventura Rodríguez with the design of the monumental fountain. He would not be the only one who would work on it, Francisco Gutiérrez and Robert Michel would also play an essential role in the construction of the fountain.

Transfers and remodeling

The place where we can see the fountain today is not original. At first it was on the side of Paseo del Prado, looking towards another of Madrid’s monumental fountains, the Neptune Fountain.

Where is it and how to get to the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid

Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid
Plaza de Cibeles

Now that we know the treasure of the square, we will tell you how to get there. It does not have any complications, since it is located at the intersection of Calle de Alcalá with Paseo del Prado, on one side, and Recoletos, just on the other. In other words, in the very heart of Madrid.

At the back of the fountain you will see another of the symbols of the Spanish capital, the Puerta de Alcalá. And from the front you can see the fork of Calle de Alcalá with the start of Gran Vía. Following the direction of the first street you will arrive at Puerta del Sol.

How to get to Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid

Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid
Plaza de Cibeles

Being in the center, you can walk from many of Madrid’s attractions. For example, from the aforementioned Puerta del Sol it will barely take a quarter of an hour. Just five minutes away you have El Retiro and very close are the Prado Museum or the Thyssen-Bornemisza.

By metro it is also easy. The Banco de España stop, on line 2, leaves you in the same Plaza de Cibeles. This line crosses a good part of Madrid, so it has transfers with many others on the Madrid underground network.

With regard to the bus, there are many lines that pass through the Plaza de Cibeles . Lines 1, 2, 9, 10, 15, 20, 34, 51, 52, 53, 74, 146, 202 and 203 stop in the square. And the night buses, the owls, leave from this well-known square.

The last option is the train, but in this case you will have to walk a bit. To get to the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid you can get off at the Sol, Recoletos or Atocha stations. The walk from any of them is not long and will allow you to enjoy other treasures of the city.

An essential visit

Cibeles Fountain
Cibeles Fountain

As you can see, the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid cannot be missed. There you will find the best known fountain in Madrid, but not only that. Surrounding the square you will see magnificent buildings, such as the Bank of Spain, the Palace of Communications or the Casa de América.

An essential visit in the Spanish capital, much more so if you are a football fan. Do not forget that this square is the scene of the celebration of the triumphs of Real Madrid. Do you write it down on your list of essentials?

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