Public Toilets In Madrid - A Useful Guide

Nicholas Farrell • May 16, 2025

In need of a quick pitstop? Well, this is the ideal blog post for you! Sweet release lies just ahead!

It's summer time, you're on your vacation in Madrid and you're exploring the city's vibrant streets when suddenly, nature calls. You're too shy to ask a bar or cafe to use their restrooms, and you don't want to chance the Grey Boxes of Doom for fear of leaving with a skin eating disease. Well, have no fear, Tío Tours is here to give you some s****y advice! Read below for your chance at salvation.


Tío Tours approved pit stops

Below is a list of public bathrooms in the centre of Madrid that I will quickly pop into if needed. They are usually reasonably clean, but not always easy to find!


  1. Palace car park toilets - These toilets are located in the underground car park beneath Plaza de Oriente, and I often use them myself prior to the commencement of a tour. Find the staircase near the eastern facade of the Royal Palace, and as you descend you'll see the bathrooms on your right.
    Link:
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/rKcXkMzZLAmCQ3NeA

  2. Cibeles toilets - This public bathroom is located just across the road from the Cibeles Palace (Madrid's Town Hall). They're ideal for a quick pit stop after visiting the Prado or Retiro.
    Link:
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/A24WgqwsyCJygXEe7

  3. Retiro toilets - Speaking of the Retiro Park, if you are busting there is actually no need to leave. There is a toilet block located quite centrally within the park. There is often a line, especially for the female bathroom, but it is much more convenient than leaving the park.
    Link:
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/sYtw4jrTt4TCC3go7

  4. Lago/Casa de Campo toilets - These public bathrooms have saved me a few times. I often used to run around the lake or the Casa de Campo itself, and they were quite well placed.
    Link:
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/nVPq9BNdt5jNUMCM8

  5. Rastro toilets - This public bathroom is located on Calle de la Ribera de Curtidores, the street that famously hosts the Rastro market. Lookout for the blue handrails and stairs leading underground.
    Link:
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZMPfhrAysvHGpvzDA

  6. Campo del Moro toilets - One of the most beautiful parks in the city is home to some of the most beautiful toilets in the city too (if a toilet can be considered beautiful). These toilets are usually quite well kept.
    Link:
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/D9tuBA2GdZgGM8Q97


Department stores and city halls

Sometimes a department store is the best way to find relief, and often the cleanest. The typical rule is to ascend to the top floor, and once there you'll find the drop floor.....


  1. City Hall toilets - Ascend to the top floor and feel like a king on his throne. Usually pretty clean and hardly anyone around.
    Link:
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/NXuTRBWJJDRAwRxM7

  2. Galeria Canalejas toilets - Posh pooping, that is all. Once again, ascend to the top floor and you'll find an immaculately kept bathroom at your disposal. Pure luxury and bliss.
    Link:
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/rSwUtjx61Yg2wU9b8

  3. El Corte Inglés toilets - The beauty of this is that El Corte Inglés have many department stores located around the city. Typically there will be some signs pointing out the toilets, which are usually available on every floor of their stores.
    Link: Type El Corte Inglés into Google or Apple Maps to find your nearest store.

  4. Primark Gran Vía - The big low cost department store on Gran Vía has a surprise! Ascend to the top level and maybe, just maybe, you will be able to leave a surprise also.
    Link:
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/X7nSLfHphJY44S6QA


Grey Boxes of Doom

Just like every major city, Madrid has the cut and paste steel grey boxes that claim to be "anti-graffiti" and "self cleaning".


I really only recommend using these in dire situations. As with any other city, they tend not to be the cleanest and can often attract some undesirable types. Having said that, if you are extremely desperate, I have a super useful link for you. This link shows you the location of all the Grey Boxes of Doom around the city: https://datos.madrid.es/egob/new/detalle/auxiliar/mapa.jsp?geoUrl=/egob/catalogo/300103-5-Aseos-Publicos-Operativos.geo



Well then, friend of Tío Tours, I shall refrain from writing any more as it would seem you have some business to attend to. Remember to book a tour once you are finished though! Happy Pooping.


Tío out!

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