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The Campo del Moro is a pleasing park, rising steeply from the Rio Manzanares to offer one of the finest views of the Palacio Real. The park has a varied history. In 1109 a Moorish army, led by Ali ben Yusuf bivouacked here, hence the name. In the late 19th century it was used as a lavish playground for royal children. It was reopened to the public in 1931 under the Second Republic closed again under Franco and not reopened until 1983.

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Dedicated to the city's patron, the cathedral of La Almudena was begun in 1879 and completed over a century later. The cathedral which stands to the south of the Plaza de la Almeria, held the first royal wedding between Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortiz in May 2004.

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During his days as king of Spain, Joseph Bonaparte carved out this stirrup-shaped space from the jumble of buildings to the east of the Palacio Real providing the view of the palace enjoyed today. The square was once an important meeting place for state occasions; kings, queens and dictators all made public appearances on the palace balcony facing the plaza. The many statues of early kings which stand here were originally intended for the palace roofline, but proved too heavy. The equestrian statue of Felipe IV in the centre of the square is by Italian sculptor Pietro.

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