Free walking tours in Leganés and what to see

Must-sees

Leganés is one of the big towns south of Madrid and has more to see than you might think. In the centre stand the church of San Salvador, the main church of the old town, and the Plaza Mayor, a contemporary space designed by the architect Alberto Campo Baeza. Works from the Open-Air Sculpture Museum are scattered all over town, a collection by Spanish artists placed in streets, roundabouts and squares.

For some fresh air, Polvoranca Park is the great green lung of the area, with lagoons, paths and lots of people walking or cycling at weekends. Football fans know the Butarque stadium well. And most importantly for travellers: with metro line 12 and the local trains you reach central Madrid easily, opening up the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor, the Retiro and the great museums.

Free tours and guided visits

Free tours are not usual in Leganés, but Madrid has many every day. The classics cover the Habsburg Madrid, Sol, the Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace on a pay-what-you-wish basis. There are also routes through the Barrio de las Letras, the Bourbon Madrid or night-time mystery walks. Among paid visits, the Prado or the Royal Palace with a guide are worth it, as is a day trip to Toledo, Segovia or Aranjuez.

How long to spend

Leganés takes half a day: a morning for the centre and the sculptures, and an afternoon in Polvoranca if the weather is good. For Madrid allow two or three days. Start with a free tour of the historic centre and end the day in the Retiro. Spend another day on a museum and districts such as La Latina or Lavapiés. With a third day, Toledo or Aranjuez are easy from southern Madrid.

Where to stay

To get around easily, look for a place near metro line 12 or local train stations such as Leganés Central. The old centre is practical, with shops, restaurants and transport at hand. If you are driving, the town has good motorway links with Madrid and other southern towns. In general, prices are lower than in central Madrid.