Madrid Airport Opens New Observation Terrace

Madrid Barajas Airport has opened a brand new observation terrace for aviation photography and aircraft spotting.

The outdoor space is a welcome addition to the options for spotting at Madrid, and will work well alongside the well-known ‘Mound’ spotting location.

Where is the Observation Terrace?

The new observation terrace at Madrid is located on the Iberia Ring Road (address: ctra. circunvalación de Iberia, 28042 Madrid), or at coordinates 40°28’52.6″N 3°34’43.2″W.

It has parking space for five cars, and offers an elevated platform with views over a low fence of aircraft movements.

🛫 El #Aeropuerto AS #Madrid–#Barajas inaugura un mirador para aficionados a la fotografía aeronáutica

La inauguración ha contado con la presencia de miembros de @AIREorg, con los que el aeropuerto organiza las jornadas dirigidas a #spotters 📸.

👉 https://t.co/vpDzPNs2nS pic.twitter.com/hAwcljyKqk

— Aena (@aena) July 6, 2022

What are the views like?

The elevated position makes the observation terrace great for photography, and there are fewer obstacles in the way, which can sometimes be a problem at the Mound location.

You have views of aircraft at terminals 1, 2 and 3, as well as using the adjacent taxiways for runways 32L and 36L/R. This often includes aircraft which was parked at Terminal 4.

Distant views of other parts of the airport are possible, too.

Opening Times and Access

Unusually, there are restrictions on accessing the new Madrid Observation Terrace.

Visitors must present their passport to the booth before the security screening area. They will then be given an access card, and escorted to the entrance. The card must be returned when you leave.

The observation terrace is open from 7.30am to 9.30pm in the summer (June 15-September 15) and 8am to 7pm the rest of the year.

To find out more about the observation terrace at Madrid, visit the dedicated website here.

[Read Our Guide to the Other Great Spotting Locations at Madrid]