Plaza del Callao

Plaza del Callao is a square in the Sol district of Madrid, Spain, surrounded by six cinemas and theaters along with art deco buildings. The pedestrian zone covers a large area and is dominated by digital billboards on the building facades.

The square was created in 1866 to commemorate a naval battle between Spanish and Peruvian forces at the port of Callao. Over the 20th century, it developed into a center for cinema and entertainment with grand buildings from the 1920s.

The name recalls a naval battle at the port of Callao in Peru, while the atmosphere today is shaped by moviegoers and passersby. Many people meet here before screenings or use the wide space as a gathering point in the city center.

Metro lines 3 and 5 stop at Callao station and offer quick access from several city districts. The square is fully open to pedestrians and easy to reach from Gran Vía.

Over 375 square meters (4,000 square feet) of digital screens cover the facades and transform the surroundings into a modern media experience. The famous Schweppes neon sign on the Carrion Building has glowed over the city for decades.

Location: Sol

Official opening: June 1866

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Address: Pl. del Callao, Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain

GPS coordinates: 40.41995,-3.70580

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30