Sights · Our pick in Madrid
Real Observatorio de Madrid
Founded by Carlos III
Carlos III’s astronomical observatory on a hill at the edge of the Retiro.
Our take
- Astronomy
- Book a visit
- Address
- Calle de Alfonso XII 3, 28014 Madrid
Retiro, Madrid - Nearest metro
- Atocha
200 m · 2 min walk
More distances - Phone
- +34 91 597 95 64
- Website
- ign.es
About Real Observatorio de Madrid
The Real Observatorio, at Calle de Alfonso XII 3, was founded by Carlos III and is now an astronomy museum (esmadrid.com); visits are booked through the Instituto Geográfico Nacional.
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Real Observatorio de Madrid before you go.
Last checked: October 2026 How we choose
Own or manage Real Observatorio de Madrid? Send us your photos & logo
Hotels nearby
The closest hotels in our guide to Real Observatorio de Madrid, as the crow flies.
- Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid900 m12 min walk
- Hotel Villa Real1.2 km15 min walk
- Gran Hotel Inglés1.4 km17 min walk
- NH Collection Madrid Palacio de Tepa1.4 km17 min walk
- Hospes Puerta de Alcalá1.4 km17 min walk
What’s nearby
Distances from Real Observatorio de Madrid are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro stations
- AtochaL1200 m2 min walk
- Estación del ArteL1350 m4 min walk
- Menéndez PelayoL1700 m9 min walk
Key sights
- Museo Reina Sofía600 mWalk 8 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Museo del Prado750 mWalk 9 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 6 min
- El Retiro800 mWalk 10 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Thyssen-Bornemisza1.1 kmWalk 14 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Puerta del Sol1.7 kmWalk 21 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Plaza Mayor1.8 kmWalk 23 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Royal Palace2.4 kmWalk 30 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Templo de Debod3.1 kmWalk 39 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 12 min
- Santiago Bernabéu5.0 kmCycle 20 minCar or taxi 18 min
- Madrid-Barajas Airport14 kmCar or taxi 41 min
Main railway stations
- Madrid Puerta de Atocha150 mWalk 2 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 4 min
- Sol (Cercanías)1.7 kmWalk 21 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Príncipe Pío3.1 kmWalk 38 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 12 min
- Nuevos Ministerios (Cercanías)4.2 kmCycle 17 minCar or taxi 15 min
- Madrid Chamartín7.3 kmCycle 29 minCar or taxi 24 min
Location
The map comes from Google Maps, which sets its own cookies once it loads.