Plaza de Canovas del Castillo
Plaza de Canovas del Castillo
3.5
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The area
Neighbourhood: Paseo del Prado
The area around the elegant Paseo del Prado boulevard is much-visited by both locals and tourists. The world-famous Prado, the Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums form a triangle of art and culture that spans this grand and beautiful avenue. On weekdays, the Prado Museum opens its doors for free after-work hours, drawing a diverse and excited queue of art lovers that wraps around the block. Palacio de Cibeles and Círculo de Bellas Artes cultural centers are other artsy hangouts to check out, with rooftop bars that provide impressive views of the city. While the Paseo del Prado and its roundabouts form a busy throughway in Madrid, a broad green pedestrian park in the middle is a calm and gorgeous place for a relaxing stroll. Just east of the museums, the Retiro Park is always a confluence of activity as families and friends of all ages take to the pretty paths and lawns to stretch their legs or to have a picnic.
How to get there
- Banco de España • 4 min walk
- Sevilla • 7 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
9,574 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,360 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
96 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
44
Average
29
Poor
1
Terrible
4
1TraveltheWorld
Alice Springs, Australia12,210 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
This square is located in the Paseo del Prado.
There are many attractions within the area, both visual and cultural are close by including the Neptune fountain, and the Prado museum.
There are many attractions within the area, both visual and cultural are close by including the Neptune fountain, and the Prado museum.
Written November 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheShis
Tel Aviv, Israel42,744 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
With the Westin hotel on one side, the Ritz on the other, and a beautiful fountain of Neptune in the middle, this is a beautiful square near Madrid's finest museums.
Well worth a visit.
Well worth a visit.
Written February 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China174,810 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
Plaza De Canovas Del Castillo is a busy roundabout named after the late 19th century Spanish statesman. It is centred by the attractive Fuente de Neptuna (Neptune Fountain).
Unfortunately due to the traffic here, its difficult to see the Neptune Fountain up close. However, you can enjoy seeing it from various vantage points on both sides of Paseo Del Prado as well as from in front of the Westin Hotel and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.
In the end, Plaza De Canovas Del Castillo is convenient to see before or after visiting Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza or Prado on the other side of Paseo Del Prado. Have a quick look at the Neptune fountain and enjoy some time in the Paseo Del Prado grounds.
Unfortunately due to the traffic here, its difficult to see the Neptune Fountain up close. However, you can enjoy seeing it from various vantage points on both sides of Paseo Del Prado as well as from in front of the Westin Hotel and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.
In the end, Plaza De Canovas Del Castillo is convenient to see before or after visiting Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza or Prado on the other side of Paseo Del Prado. Have a quick look at the Neptune fountain and enjoy some time in the Paseo Del Prado grounds.
Written June 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brattyhands
Edinburgh, UK2,400 contributions
Apr 2016 • Business
Finally a fountain that is working today, beautifully lit a night time and the water makes a sparkling display. So happy it's on.
Written April 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack
Old Bethpage, NY3,390 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The Plaza de Canovas del Castillo is a historic plaza and roundabout with a fountain in Madrid. It falls in between the Prada Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
Written June 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Magellano81
Tortona, Italy40,338 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
Plaza de Canovas del Castillo or Fuente de Neptuno, in short, this is the square of the famous fountain, one of the most famous and beautiful city of Madrid, because it is celebrated? Most likely for the wonderful sculpture in the center of it but especially this square is the main place where the supporters of the football soccer club Athletico Madrid gather to celebrate the winning of trophies and prestigious team.
A short distance away there is also the Paseo del Prado and the Prado Museum.
A short distance away there is also the Paseo del Prado and the Prado Museum.
Written February 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gooner10-8
Dublin, Ireland1,949 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
We had enjoyed a pleasant walk back from the upmarket Calle Serrano shopping-area, via Plaza de la Independencia (Puerta de Alcala) and Plaza de la Cibeles, and continuing down Paseo del Prado to Plaza de Neptuno, now felt we were on familiar ground - the excellent Thyssen + the outstanding Prado museums are the recognised "star attractions" of this neighbourhood.
At the centre of this busy roundabout sits the ornate 18th century Sculpture / Fountain to Neptune (the renowned "God of the Sea"), designed by Juan Pascual de Mena : his creation is well-worth a look.
In to-day's world Madrid's fountains serve a function beyond the decorative. While the "Cybele" is a celebration-point for Real Madrid fans, "Neptuno" is where their Atletico de Madrid counterparts come to salute their own team's successes, with many actually bathing in the Fountain. While they might have had very dry nights after the Champions' League Final, it was presumably quite wild here at the end of La Liga!
At the centre of this busy roundabout sits the ornate 18th century Sculpture / Fountain to Neptune (the renowned "God of the Sea"), designed by Juan Pascual de Mena : his creation is well-worth a look.
In to-day's world Madrid's fountains serve a function beyond the decorative. While the "Cybele" is a celebration-point for Real Madrid fans, "Neptuno" is where their Atletico de Madrid counterparts come to salute their own team's successes, with many actually bathing in the Fountain. While they might have had very dry nights after the Champions' League Final, it was presumably quite wild here at the end of La Liga!
Written June 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GreenThumb331
San Fernando, Philippines2,870 contributions
Dec 2018
On our walk going to the Prado Museum, we passed by the Plaza de Canovas del Castillo roundabout. The thing to notice for a photo op is the centrepiece which is an ornate fountain and 18th-century sculpture of Neptune, the sea god. As a pedestrian crossing the street towards the Prado, you take extra care not to be hit by the oncoming traffic.
The Plaza Cánovas de Castillo is distinguished by two of Madrid’s longest-standing and most exclusive hotels: the elegant Westin Hotel Palace (1912) and The Ritz. They stand each other across the plaza with all their grandeur. The museums in competition for the title of Madrid’s best loved repository of fine art: the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Prado are likewise situated across each other.
The Plaza Cánovas de Castillo is distinguished by two of Madrid’s longest-standing and most exclusive hotels: the elegant Westin Hotel Palace (1912) and The Ritz. They stand each other across the plaza with all their grandeur. The museums in competition for the title of Madrid’s best loved repository of fine art: the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Prado are likewise situated across each other.
Written October 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil K
Liverpool, UK829,522 contributions
Sept 2019 • Friends
Plaza De Canovas Del Castillo is a rather pretty plaza in the heart of Madrid.
Its located just off Paseo Del Prado, theres some really good looking buildings here ,mostly hotels and some good restaurants, as part of the roundabout facing the plaza is the famous Fuente De Neptuno, in my opinion one of Madrids most beautiful fountains .
A wonderful plaza and most definitely well worth checking out if your in the area.
Its located just off Paseo Del Prado, theres some really good looking buildings here ,mostly hotels and some good restaurants, as part of the roundabout facing the plaza is the famous Fuente De Neptuno, in my opinion one of Madrids most beautiful fountains .
A wonderful plaza and most definitely well worth checking out if your in the area.
Written September 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia50,924 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
Plaza de Canovas del Castillo is the real name of Plaza de Neptuno. The plaza dates from some time in the 19th century. It is a beautiful fountain and it is a very busy plaza! The fountain is in the middle of a big roundabout with traffic motoring busily around it all day and night. It is quite difficult getting very close to the fountain, although not impossible. However it looks better from a distance. There are plenty of cafes and other similar and useful establishments in the area. There is also a large hotel, the Palace, and further up the road is the Parliament. Close-by are some Spanish jewels, like the Prado Museum, the Thyssen and the Reina-Sofia, as well as others.
Written July 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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