Contemporary art inside one of Madrid’s most spectacular buildings—where the former central post office is often as compelling as the exhibitions.
CentroCentro occupies several floors of the Palacio de Cibeles, one of Madrid’s architectural landmarks. Its changing programme focuses primarily on artists working in Madrid today, encompassing painting, sculpture, photography, graphic design, installation, performance and sound.
Since adopting a renewed contemporary-art direction in 2025, it has placed particular emphasis on three groups: established artists deserving renewed attention, mid-career creators receiving their first major institutional opportunities and younger emerging voices.
Come primarily for the exhibitions, but reserve time for the building. The free architectural tour lasts approximately one hour and can be booked in Spanish, English, French or Italian. The viewpoint tour lasts around 30 minutes and is offered only in Spanish.
For the best skyline light, choose a late-afternoon Mirador session. The view extends over Gran Vía, the Retiro, the Salamanca district and the rooftops of central Madrid.
CentroCentro is not Madrid’s strongest destination for a permanent collection; it is valuable because it remains flexible, accessible and closely connected to the city’s living creative scene. Its free exhibitions can range from intimate emerging-artist presentations to substantial retrospectives, while the Palacio de Cibeles supplies the architectural spectacle.
About the venue
More info
The Palacio de Cibeles was designed by Antonio Palacios and Joaquín Otamendi as Madrid’s central headquarters for postal and telegraph services. Constructed between 1904 and 1918 and opened in 1919, it combines Neoplateresque ornament, Modernism, industrial engineering and influences from the Vienna Secession.
Behind its elaborate white-stone exterior is an unusually rational structure of iron, glass and open circulation galleries. The façade facing Plaza de Cibeles is crowned by a 70-metre octagonal tower, while the former public postal hall forms the spectacular heart of the interior.
The palace became Madrid City Hall in 2007, and CentroCentro opened as its cultural component in 2011. The building itself was declared a protected cultural monument in 1993.
CentroCentro is a cultural center located in the iconic Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid. It serves as a vibrant hub for contemporary art, culture, and public engagement, hosting a diverse range of exhibitions, concerts, workshops, and events. Focused on fostering artistic expression and dialogue, CentroCentro offers visitors a dynamic space to explore modern art, design, and urban culture. With its striking architecture and central location, it has become a key destination in Madrid’s cultural landscape, providing both locals and tourists with enriching artistic experiences.
Worth the trip
CentroCentro does not maintain a conventional permanent art collection. Instead, it presents:
- temporary exhibitions of contemporary art;
- retrospectives devoted to Spanish artists and designers;
- site-specific installations;
- architecture and urban-culture projects;
- emerging and mid-career Madrid-based artists;
- musical performances, talks and workshops;
- a permanent presentation about the Palacio de Cibeles.
The building also contains the dramatic former postal operations hall, a glass-covered courtyard, a café, restaurant and the Mirador Madrid observation deck.
© Google CentroCentro Cibeles
Centro Centro Cibeles
Pl. Cibeles, 1, Retiro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Hours & rating from Google
Nearby route ideas
Nearby route ideasPaseo del Arte essentials — half or full day
CentroCentro → Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum → Museo del Prado → CaixaForum Madrid
A natural southbound route along the UNESCO-listed Paseo del Prado. Choose either the Thyssen or Prado for a half-day itinerary; include both only if you are comfortable with a dense museum day.
Cibeles and Recoletos — 3–4 hours
CentroCentro → Casa de América → Fundación MAPFRE Recoletos → National Archaeological Museum
This compact route combines contemporary exhibitions, photography and historical collections. Most of the itinerary follows Paseo de Recoletos and requires little transport.
Antonio Palacios architecture walk — 2–3 hours
Palacio de Cibeles → Círculo de Bellas Artes → Instituto Cervantes → Gran Vía → Banco Español del Río de la Plata façade
A focused route through several buildings associated with Antonio Palacios, the architect who helped transform early twentieth-century Madrid into a modern European capital.
On show now
Exhibitions at Centro Centro Cibeles
Juana González: Indomitable Painting
Carlos Franco: Por el lomo de un paisaje con patas
X Bienal de Arte Contemporáneo de Fundación ONCE
Carlos Cartaxo. In-sítu
Cruz Novillo
María Lara: La lentitud de la luz
