Madrid FAQ

Where is Puerta de Alcalá?

Q: Where is Puerta de Alcalá?

Puerta de Alcalá stands right in front of one of El Retiro Park’s main entrances, in the centre of Plaza de la Independencia—a busy intersection where Calle de Alcalá, Calle de Alfonso XII and Calle de Serrano meet. Part of the UNESCO-listed Landscape of Light, it marks the border between the old town and the area that was built up during the Enlightenment. Puerta de Alcalá is easily accessible by public transport: Metro: Banco de España (L2) and Retiro (L2) Bus: lines 1, 2, 9, 15, 19, 20, 20, 28, 51, 52, 74 and 146 and night buses N2 through to N8. Cercanías: Madrid-Recoletos station Bicycle: BiciMAD stations in Plaza de la Independencia, Calle de Serrano and Calle de Alcalá. This iconic monument was commissioned by King Charles III in the 18th century to replace an earlier 16th-century gate that marked the city's eastern entrance. Designed by renowned architect Francesco Sabatini and inaugurated in 1778, this neoclassical granite triumphal arch is said to be the first of its kind built in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire. Featuring five arches—rather than the usual three—it’s easily distinguishable from Madrid’s other gates such as Puerta de Toledo or Puerta de San Vicente. Each side of the gate has a different design: the one facing the city centre features sculptures of war trophies such as flags, weapons, breastplates and helmets, while the more ornate outer façade displays the royal coat of arms along with statues of small children representing the four cardinal virtues—Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude. The gate takes its name from the old road that led to the nearby town of Alcalá de Henares, which brought travellers and goods into the city from the east.

Puerta de Alcalá stands right in front of one of El Retiro Park’s main entrances, in the centre of Plaza de la Independencia—a busy intersection where Calle de Alcalá, Calle de Alfonso XII and Calle de Serrano meet.

Part of the UNESCO-listed Landscape of Light, it marks the border between the old town and the area that was built up during the Enlightenment.

Puerta de Alcalá is easily accessible by public transport:

Metro: Banco de España (L2) and Retiro (L2)
Bus: lines 1, 2, 9, 15, 19, 20, 20, 28, 51, 52, 74 and 146 and night buses N2 through to N8.
Cercanías: Madrid-Recoletos station
Bicycle: BiciMAD stations in Plaza de la Independencia, Calle de Serrano and Calle de Alcalá.

This iconic monument was commissioned by King Charles III in the 18th century to replace an earlier 16th-century gate that marked the city's eastern entrance.

Designed by renowned architect Francesco Sabatini and inaugurated in 1778, this neoclassical granite triumphal arch is said to be the first of its kind built in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire. Featuring five arches—rather than the usual three—it’s easily distinguishable from Madrid’s other gates such as Puerta de Toledo or Puerta de San Vicente.

Each side of the gate has a different design: the one facing the city centre features sculptures of war trophies such as flags, weapons, breastplates and helmets, while the more ornate outer façade displays the royal coat of arms along with statues of small children representing the four cardinal virtues—Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude.

The gate takes its name from the old road that led to the nearby town of Alcalá de Henares, which brought travellers and goods into the city from the east.