Temple of Debod
Templo de Debod
A genuine 2nd-century BC Egyptian temple gifted to Spain by Egypt, rebuilt on a hilltop park north of the Royal Palace. Its reflecting pool and sunset views are Madrid's signature scene.
The Temple of Debod is a genuine Egyptian temple, begun in Nubia in the early 2nd century BC and dedicated to Amun and Isis. When the construction of the Aswan Dam in the 1960s raised the level of the Nile, Egypt presented the entire temple to Spain in 1968, in gratitude for Spain's help in rescuing the temples of Abu Simbel. It was rebuilt in 1972 on the Parque de la Montaña hill beside Plaza de España, in its original orientation. It is Spain's only ancient Egyptian temple, and one of the few complete Egyptian structures in Europe outside Egypt. The temple consists of two stone gates and a main hall, with a long reflecting pool in front. Inside, reliefs from the Ptolemaic period and the reign of the Roman emperor Augustus survive. Admission is free, with capacity limits, so you may need to queue. Its greatest appeal is the sunset. The hill faces west and overlooks Casa de Campo park and the Guadarrama mountains, and the setting sun turns the temple walls and pool golden-red. It is widely regarded as the best sunset viewpoint in Madrid, and the grass fills with people in the evening. From here, you can also glimpse the silhouettes of the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral. Take metro lines L3/L10 to Plaza de España, a 5-minute walk, or walk 10 minutes north from the palace along Calle Bailén. After 2020, there were discussions about adding a protective cover due to weathering. Interior opening hours may change, so check the official city website. Closed on Mondays (the exterior is open all day).
Opening hours
Temple interior Tue–Sun 10:00–20:00 (split into morning and afternoon sessions in summer), closed Mon; park open all day
Nearby sights
- Teleférico de Madrid & Casa de Campo
- Plaza de España
- Royal Palace of Madrid
- Royal Chapel of St. Anthony of La Florida
- Almudena Cathedral
- Mercado de San Miguel
- Monastery of Las Descalzas Reales
- Chocolatería San Ginés