Templo de Debod
8.4Friend Score / 10#3 of 16 Attractions in Madrid
Known foregyptian templefreesunsetviewpoint
An actual 2,200-year-old Egyptian temple, gifted to Spain in 1968 and rebuilt stone by stone in a park west of Plaza de España. Free to visit, and its reflecting pools at sunset are one of Madrid's genuinely beloved local rituals. Caveat: interior access is capped at small groups and can close for conservation — the outside at dusk is the real event anyway.
Key facts
| Hours | Tue–Sun 10:00–19:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | free |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Metro Plaza de España (L2, L3, L10) or Ventura Rodríguez (L3), 5-8 minute walk |
| Time needed | 30-60 minutes; longer if you stay for sunset |
| Best time to go | Golden hour — arrive 45 minutes before sunset to claim a spot by the pools |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.4/10- Value9.5
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level5.5
- Authenticity8.5
- Accessibility8.5
Frequently asked questions
- Why is there an Egyptian temple in Madrid?
- Egypt gifted it to Spain in 1968 as thanks for helping save the Abu Simbel temples from flooding when the Aswan High Dam was built. It was shipped in blocks and rebuilt here, keeping its original east-west orientation.
- Is the Templo de Debod free?
- Yes, completely — both the park around it and the temple interior. Interior entry is limited to about 30 people at a time with 30-minute visits, and booking ahead via the madrid.es reservation page is recommended.
- What time should I go to the Templo de Debod for sunset?
- Get there 45 minutes to an hour before sunset, especially Friday through Sunday — the wall and lawn spots by the reflecting pools fill fast. The view west over Casa de Campo is the best free sunset in central Madrid.
- Are the reflecting pools always full of water?
- Not always — they're occasionally drained for maintenance or during drought restrictions, which flattens the famous mirror photo. If the shot matters to you, it's worth a quick look at recent visitor photos before making a special trip.
- What else is near the Templo de Debod?
- Plaza de España and the start of Gran Vía are five minutes east, the Royal Palace and Sabatini Gardens fifteen minutes south, and the Teleférico cable car to Casa de Campo leaves from nearby Paseo del Pintor Rosales.
- How do I get to the Templo de Debod?
- It sits in the Parque de la Montaña just west of Plaza de España — metro to Plaza de España (lines 2, 3, 10) or Ventura Rodríguez (line 3), then a short uphill walk. Easy to combine with the Royal Palace, 15 minutes south.
- What are the Templo de Debod's opening hours?
- The interior opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00, closing at 19:00 in high summer (mid-June to mid-September) and 20:00 the rest of the year; closed Mondays and a handful of holidays. The surrounding park is open all the time.
- Can you go inside the Templo de Debod?
- Usually yes, Tuesday to Sunday, but conservation and security concerns mean rooms or the whole interior close periodically without much notice. Inside you'll find original reliefs and models explaining the rescue from the Nile — nice, but brief.
Nearby in Ask Madrid
- Plaza de EspañaAttraction0.38 km · 5 min walk
- Casa MingoRestaurant0.67 km · 8 min walk
- Royal Palace (Palacio Real)Attraction0.74 km · 9 min walk
- Misión CaféCafé0.75 km · 9 min walk
- Federal CaféCafé0.8 km · 10 min walk
Where to stay near Templo de Debod
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