Landmark

Royal Observatory of Madrid

Address

Source: esmadrid.com, checked 7 Nov 2026.

An observatory founded at the initiative of Charles III on a small hill beside the Retiro. Its main building was designed by Juan de Villanueva, with work starting in 1790.

Cost €

Time needed 1.5 hours

Best time Weekend

Insider tip

Visits are guided in Spanish and last 90 minutes. A family-oriented tour for ages 7 to 12 runs at 12:30 on Sundays.

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What's on near Royal Observatory of Madrid

Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Royal Observatory of Madrid, from the weekly Madrid events calendar.

Exhibition On now Free

Muestra de las calabazas participantes del XII concurso de calabazas gigantes y raras

1 Nov to 30 Dec Centro de Educación Ambiental El Retiro

Exhibition at Centro de Educación Ambiental El Retiro, free, listed on the Ayuntamiento de Madrid agenda (datos.madrid.es).

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Activities and classes Last day today Free

Taller de huerto familiar

8 Nov Centro de Educación Ambiental El Retiro

Time 11:00

Activity at Centro de Educación Ambiental El Retiro, free, listed on the Ayuntamiento de Madrid agenda (datos.madrid.es).

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Activities and classes Starts in 6 days Free

Experiencia inspiradora: Abono verde de otoño en el Huerto Urbano Comunitario Barrio de Aluche

14 Nov Centro de Información y Educación Ambiental El Retiro

Time 11:00

Workshop at Centro de Información y Educación Ambiental El Retiro, free, listed on the Ayuntamiento de Madrid agenda (datos.madrid.es).

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Activities and classes Starts in 7 days Free

Mari la mariquita

15 Nov Centro de Educación Ambiental El Retiro

Time 11:00

Activity at Centro de Educación Ambiental El Retiro, free, listed on the Ayuntamiento de Madrid agenda (datos.madrid.es).

See on the map Event listing Hotels nearby

Activities and classes Starts in 7 days Free

Taller de comederos para aves

15 Nov Centro de Educación Ambiental El Retiro

Time 11:00

Activity at Centro de Educación Ambiental El Retiro, free, listed on the Ayuntamiento de Madrid agenda (datos.madrid.es).

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Nearby

National Museum of Anthropology Museum · 3 min walk The first Spanish museum devoted to anthropology, on Calle de Alfonso XII. Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha Church · 4 min walk One of the six basilicas in Madrid, on Calle de Julián Gayarre near the Atocha station. Atocha Station Landmark · 4 min walk Madrid's main railway station, formally Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes. Royal Tapestry Factory Museum · 5 min walk A tapestry workshop founded in 1721 and housed in a neo-Mudéjar building on Calle Fuenterrabía. Fallen Angel Fountain Landmark · 7 min walk A fountain in the Retiro showing the Fallen Angel at the moment of his expulsion from Paradise. Cuesta de Moyano Bookstalls Shopping · 7 min walk A pedestrian slope by the Royal Botanic Garden lined by a permanent fair of second-hand bookstalls, linking the Glorieta de Carlos V with the Retiro.

Around Retiro

The park and its palaces

Retiro is the large park beside the Puerta de Alcalá and the streets around it, with two museums, an observatory and a royal tapestry workshop nearby.

Retiro has 10 places on the Roam Madrid map: 5 landmarks, 3 museums, 1 church or cathedral and 1 park or garden. Read the Retiro guide.

Palacio de Velázquez Landmark · 13 min walk
Alfonso XII Monument Landmark · 14 min walk
National Museum of Decorative Arts Museum · 15 min walk
Puerta de Alcalá Landmark · 18 min walk
Retiro Park Park · 18 min walk

Good to know

What is the address of Royal Observatory of Madrid?: Calle de Alfonso XII 3, Madrid.
How long do you need at Royal Observatory of Madrid?: Plan for 1.5 hours.
When is the best time to visit Royal Observatory of Madrid?: Weekend.

Stay near Royal Observatory of Madrid

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