6. Plaza Mayor

Madrid's most famous and picturesque square, the Plaza Mayor (main square) is the focus of major city festivities, such as the Veranos de Villa and San Isidro festivals. At Christmas, a traditional fair bustles and every Sunday morning there's a coin and stamp market. It's packed with pavement cafes and all manner of street entertainers ply their trade to the terraces after dark. The square started life in the 15th century as a farmer's market, then outside the city walls. In the 1560s, when Madrid became the capital, master architect Juan de Herrera drew up plans for the plaza's renovation, though only the Casa de Panadería dates from this period (the gaudy murals were added in the 1990s). The central statue is of Philip III on horseback and was moved here in the 19th century from the Casa del Campo. METRO: Sol   (© 10Best)

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