London
1,572 km²
Madrid
604 km²
UK
Spain
Area Comparison
London is 2.6x larger than Madrid
Population Comparison
London has 2.7x more people than Madrid
London is significantly larger, covering 2.6 times the area of Madrid. London spans 1,572 km² (607 mi²) while Madrid covers 604 km² (233 mi²) — a difference of 968 km². You could fit Madrid inside London approximately 2 times.
To put London's size in perspective, its area of 1,572 km² is about 1.4x smaller than Tokyo (city proper). Meanwhile, Madrid at 604 km² is roughly the same size as Seoul.
In more relatable units, London's 1,572 km² is about 220,000 American football fields, 27 times the area of Manhattan, or 15 times the area of Paris. For Madrid, that's about 85,000 American football fields, 180 times the area of Central Park, or 10 times the area of Manhattan.
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.1 million people in 2024. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 15.1 million. London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, at the head of a 50-mile (80 km) tidal estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a major settlement for nearly 2,000 years.
Known as "The Big Smoke", London covers 1,572 km² with a population of 9.0 million. The city was established in 43. London is known for Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the London Underground.
London has been a major settlement for nearly 2,000 years, tracing its roots back to Roman times around 47 AD.
Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. It had a population of over 3.4 million in the city proper in 2025, and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.8 million. Madrid is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), after Berlin, and its metropolitan area is the second-largest in the EU, after Paris. The municipality covers an area of 605.77 square kilometres (233.89 sq mi).
Often called "La Villa y Corte", Madrid has an area of 604 km² and is home to 3.3 million people. The city dates back to 852. Visitors come for Royal Palace of Madrid, Prado Museum, Plaza Mayor, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Madrid Metro.
Madrid is the second-largest city in the European Union after Berlin, with over 3.4 million residents in the city proper
Looking beyond city limits, the London metropolitan area covers 8,382 km², which is 1.0x larger than greater Madrid at 8,028 km². The London metro area is also more populous, with 14.3 million people compared to 6.8 million.
London has a population density of 5,712 people per km² — a densely populated city. Madrid, with 5,513 people per km², is a densely populated city. Both cities have comparable density, though London is slightly more compact.
Both cities are in Europe, but they represent different national approaches to urban development. London (UK) and Madrid (Spain) offer a fascinating regional contrast.
London has a oceanic climate while Madrid experiences hot-summer Mediterranean conditions.
Size Ratio
Madrid fits inside London ~2 times
History
London is ~809 years older
London covers 1,572 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Bangkok (1,569 km²), Bogotá (1,578 km²), São Paulo (1,521 km²), Johannesburg (1,644 km²), or Mexico City (1,485 km²).
Madrid covers 604 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Seoul (605 km²), Mumbai (603 km²), Chicago (606 km²), Toronto (630 km²), or Hyderabad (650 km²).
The straight-line distance from London to Madrid is 1,263 km (785 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~1h 59m.
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