The municipality of Madrid has 605.77 km², that is to say, 605,770,000 square meters. That's the fact, and now comes the interesting part: why you'll find different figures depending on where you look, and what that number really means when you step on it.
Why are there so many different figures?
If you look up the area of Madrid, you'll get three different numbers, and all three could be correct. It depends on which part of Madrid you're measuring.
- The municipality of Madrid: 605.77 km². The city proper, the one administered by the City Council. That's the answer almost everyone is looking for.
- The Community of Madrid: approximately 8,028 km². The entire region, with its 179 municipalities. Thirteen times the size of the city.
- The central area: about 40 km². Madrid surrounded by the M-30, where practically everything a tourist visits is located.
And there's one more reason for confusion: the number It changed recently. For years, the figure 604.3 km² was cited, and it still appears on many websites. In October 2025, the municipal boundary between Madrid and Rivas-Vaciamadrid was adjusted, and the official area became 605.77 km². If you see 604 somewhere, it's not made up: it's outdated.
What does 605 km² mean when you walk it?
A number like that doesn't mean much until you turn it into something you can imagine.
Madrid measures approximately 30 kilometers from north to south. Crossing it on foot from end to end, without stopping, is a real challenge. six hours At a normal pace. From east to west it's slightly less.
But that's the entire municipal area, which includes open fields, industrial parks and woodland. The historic center that a visitor can explore fits into just over two square kilometers. From Puerta del Sol to the Royal Palace is a fifteen-minute walk. From Sol to the Prado, another fifteen. Madrid is a huge city with a surprisingly small center, and that's precisely why it's so easy to get to know on foot.
Compared to other cities
This is where the data starts to get surprising:
- Paris is 105 km². Madrid is almost six times larger. The city of Paris is tiny; what people imagine as Paris is the metropolitan area.
- Barcelona has an area of 101 km². It fits inside Madrid six times.
- New York has 778 km². Yes, it is older, but less than one would expect.
- London is 1,572 km². Two and a half times Madrid, and that's where you really notice the difference.
Madrid is, by surface area, one of the largest municipalities in Spain and one of the largest capital cities in the European Union. The fact that it doesn't seem like it is due to how compact its city center is.
How much of Madrid is green
A considerable part of those 605 km² is not built-up city.
The Cottage She alone occupies some 17 km²Five times the size of Central Park, and the largest urban park in Spain. Withdrawal, which seems immense when you cross it, is actually only 1.2 km². And the Mount of El Pardo, To the north of the municipal boundary, it adds another good piece of protected holm oak forest.
If you add up all the parks and green spaces, Madrid is among the European cities with the most green space per capita. This isn't the image people usually have of it.
Frequently asked questions about the surface area of Madrid
How many square meters is Madrid?
605,770,000 square meters, which is 605.77 km². This refers to the municipality of Madrid, the city administered by the City Council.
How many square kilometers is the Community of Madrid?
Approximately 8,028 km², spread across 179 municipalities. The city of Madrid occupies slightly less than 8% of the region.
Why do some sources say 604 km² and others 605?
Because the figure changed in October 2025, with the adjustment of the municipal boundary between Madrid and Rivas-Vaciamadrid. Pages that haven't been updated still show 604.3 km².
How long does it take to cross Madrid on foot?
About six hours from north to south, about 30 kilometers. But the entire historic center can be explored in a morning: from Puerta del Sol to the Royal Palace it's fifteen minutes.
Is Madrid the largest city in Spain?
It is by far the most populated. In terms of area, it is one of the largest, although some municipalities with a lot of rural territory and a small population are larger.
What really matters about that number
605 km² sounds like an unmanageable city, and yet Madrid is one of the European capitals best explored on foot. Everything most visitors want to see—Habsburg Madrid, the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor, the Prado Museum, the Retiro Park—fits within a square two kilometers on each side.
If you're interested in this type of data, in Madrid in figures There are more records and numerical curiosities about the city. And if you prefer to check it out for yourself, in our recommendations from Madrid You have museums, parks and viewpoints with opening hours and metro information for each one.
Sources
- Madrid City Council, geographical and administrative data of the municipal area.
- National Geographic Institute, surface area of the municipalities of the Community of Madrid.
- Royal Decree altering municipal boundaries between Madrid and Rivas-Vaciamadrid, October 2025.
