Looking for the best photo spots in Madrid, Spain? If you’re going there, then you already know you need my guide to the best places to take pictures in Madrid!
Bring your phone, your fits, and your best angles, and let’s capture (pics of) the Spanish capital.
These are the best places to take photos in Madrid, Spain.
Retiro Park
The iconic Retiro Park gives you versatile content options, making it one of the best places to take pictures in Madrid. The park hits every aesthetic mood you could possibly want.
Retiro Pond / Row Boats
Rent a rowboat and bring a friend for candid, motion-filled photos. Golden hour gives you soft shadows on the water and a warm glow. I suggest using your phone’s burst mode to catch paddles in mid-air or smiles between strokes. Wide-angle lenses work great from the monument steps to include the entire pond.
Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace… even the name is dreamy.
Rose Garden
The Rose Garden in the Retiro is magic in May and June when over 4,000 roses bloom! Get low for up-close detail shots, or shoot from above with a phone gimbal to add motion.
Templo De Debod at Sunset
The Templo De Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple relocated to Madrid and one of the best places for sunset in the city. If you also want to catch golden hour, arrive at least 30 minutes early to scout a good spot.
Puerto del Sol
The busy Puerto del Sol is the center of Spain (no, really, this plaza is considered the exact middle point of Spain), where locals meet and tourists flock.
The architecture, street performers, and famous Tío Pepe sign make it ideal for high-energy street shots.
Tip: This plaza is busiest during the day, so get here just after sunrise for wide, empty shots with great symmetry. Use ultra-wide mode to capture the Tío Pepe sign and statue together.
Chocolatería San Ginés
Chocolatería San Ginés is open 24/7, so you can always find a time with fewer crowds even though this place stays popular.
Tips
- Order churros and hot chocolate, then stand near a window for natural light.
- Take flat-lay food shots from above or lean back for lifestyle-style shots with signage in the background.
- The white marble tables and green trim look great next to your churros con chocolate!
Mercado de San Miguel
A gourmet market housed in an elegant iron-and-glass building, Mercado de San Miguel is full of color, movement, and foodie aesthetics. The interiors glow beautifully under warm lights, making it great for lifestyle shots and food photography.
Tips:
- Go early to avoid crowds and shoot the clean, geometric lines of the iron and glass facade.
- Get low at counters for dramatic angles.
Street Art & Colorful Walls
Grab street art pics at Madrid’s most multicultural and artistic neighborhoods, like Lavapiés or La Latina. Walk the backstreets at golden hour when the shadows get long and the murals glow.
Tips:
- Find solid backgrounds to pose in front of and use self-timer if solo.
- Try photographing from a low angle to exaggerate height and draw more attention to the art.
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Your Hotel Balcony
Your hotel balcony is secretly one of the best photo spots in Madrid. Whether you’ve got a city view, tiled rooftops, or a cozy café street below, it’s perfect for golden hour selfies or morning coffee shots.
I stayed at Hotel Moderno, which was perfect for sunset and people watching. It is centrally located near EVERYTHING, plus the metro.
Tip: Step back into the room slightly and shoot through the open balcony doors to frame the view beautifully.
Gran Vía
Madrid’s answer to Broadway, Gran Via, is all about movement, lights, and architecture. From rooftop views to street-level chaos, it’s a prime location for city shots. I suggest standing at the corner of Callao for the famous Schweppes building shot or in front of the famous Metro entrance.
Tips:
- Capture motion by using Live Photos or slow-shutter apps for car trails.
- Consider shooting in the late afternoon when the city lights start to come on.
Plaza Mayor
This symmetrical square of Plaza Mayor, surrounded by arched buildings and classic cafés, is postcard-perfect, a timeless European vibe.
Tip: Try to frame the symmetrical arches and clock tower.
Famous Museums
The Reina Sofía Museum is packed with color, contrast, and creativity. It’s one of the best indoor photo spots in Madrid. You’ll see works like Picasso’s Guernica, Dalí’s The Great Masturbator, and Miró’s The Smile of the Flamboyant Wings.
Note:
While Museo Nacional del Prado is one of the best photo spots in Madrid from the outside, photos inside are not allowed. I suggest snapping a shot of the building’s elegant façade or the Velázquez statue instead.
My mom and I took the guided tour below to see the best of Madrid’s museum scene in one day:
The Royal Palace of Madrid
Known for its grand fountain and palace, The Royal Palace is a Spanish icon and one of the best places to take pictures in Madrid.
As you can see, I took the above photos at 1 AM and yes, I felt safe as a female traveler!
Tips:
- Capture the Palace from the median across the street for the perfect angle.
- Use gridlines to line up the building and fountain perfectly, or try framing the palace with the lamp posts or garden hedges for symmetry.
Sabatini Gardens
Just behind the Royal Palace, these formal gardens are full of symmetry, sculpted hedges, and fountains. It’s quieter than the palace front, making it great for serene portraits or detail shots.
Visit at blue hour (just after sunset) for a moody, romantic vibe with soft lighting and garden lamps turning on.
Tip: Hopefully, you have a tripod, but if not, use night mode and prop your phone on a low wall for stability.
Las Ventas Bullring
Las Ventas Bullring is one of the most iconic photo spots in Madrid. Its red brick arches and dramatic structure make it pop in any picture. Try visiting early in the morning when the light hits just right.
Tips:
- Stand near the main gate and use a wide-angle lens to capture the full curve of the arena behind you.
- Book during the week to get fewer people in your photos.
I took this self-guided tour tour so that I could have pretty much unlimited time for photos:
Tropical Garden in Atocha Station
Hidden inside Madrid’s main train station is a surprising indoor jungle with hundreds of tropical plants and turtles. The contrast of jungle greenery with metal makes for unique content.
Tips:
- Shoot from balconies for a flat-lay jungle vibe.
- Early morning gives the cleanest light beams through the skylights.
NOTE: Atocha’s Tropical Garden is temporarily closed for renovations until 2026.
